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GLOBAL RENEWABLES ONLINE - DECEMBER 2011
H
ow does geothermal work? While some
might equate geothermal energy on the
small scale with heat pumps, geother-
mal energy has the capacity to power cities.
The Canadian Geothermal Association, Canada’s geothermal
industry representative, has a value statement that it will empower
Canadian geothermal: 5,000 MW by 2015. This is no doubt
an achievable goal, once the right players understand how they can
promote the use of this exceptional form of energy.
Geothermal can provide “competitively priced, renewable,
round-the-clock energy to the Canadian and U.S. markets,” and so
CanGEA endeavours to “accelerate Canadian exploration and
development of geothermal resources in order to provide secure, clean
and sustainable energy.”
The association helps to foster the development and
commercialization of Canada’s geothermal energy resources by:
Clearly and accurately articulating the advantages of geothermal
energy and the progress of the industry
Cooperating across industry to develop, collect, improve and
disseminate information about geothermal energy; and
Developing
good
and
constructive
relationships
with
governments, the investment community and broader Canadian
community
In the last two months, there have been events around the world highlighting the importance
of geothermal energy to our renewable future. Increasing interest in Canadian geothermal led to
both CanGEA’s 4th Annual Conference and Investment Forum in Toronto on September 14-15,
and CanGEA’s Annual Geothermal Power Forum in Calgary on November 4, 2011. This upward
trend for geothermal could indicate a significant potential for growth in 2012 and beyond, and
CanGEA is actively boosting geothermal energy’s profile through events and public appearances.
Speakers at the Annual Conference and Investment Forum in Toronto included Ross Beaty,
Chairman and CEO of Alterra Power Corp., John McIlveen, Research Director at Jacob
Securities, James Slutz, President North America of Indonesian Star Energy, Warren Levy,
Chairman and CEO of Estrella International Energy Services, Tyler Hamilton, Clean Energy &
Technology Reporter, Toronto Star, Charles J. Arrigo, Advisor, Glacier Securities, Michael
Ronzello, Geothermal Business Development Manager, Pratt & Whitney, and many more.
The Toronto event captured the necessity and potential for geothermal energy in Canada and
beyond, featuring activities and projects from around the world, as well as explained geothermal
uses, the need for policy, and how power plants are developed. According to the Geological
Survey of Canada: “electricity generated by geothermal energy could replace approximately 10
nuclear power plants and provide up to 10 per cent of Canada’s current total electricity
generation.” There is significant potential for job creation and is a massive market for enterprise.
photo provided by ThinkGeoEnergy
photo provided by ThinkGeoEnergy
CANADIAN GEOTHERMAL ASSOCIATION - GEOTHERMAL
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