Research collaboration on combining geothermal with carbon sequestration, Alberta/ Canada

Temperature logging work at Alberta No.1 project, Canada (source: Alberta No.1)

A research partnership to study the combination of geothermal energy production with carbon sequestration has been started by No. 1 Geothermal (Alberta No. 1) and the University of Alberta (U of A). This research can further increase the economic and environmental benefits of conventional geothermal energy.

The project will be conducted at the University of Alberta and at the Alberta No. 1 project site south of Grande Prairie. The research will investigate the feasibility of co-injecting carbon in geothermal waters before they are reinjected back into the subsurface. This adds value to the drilling of geothermal wells and can make the project not just carbon zero, but carbon negative.

We had previously reported that Alberta No. 1 had confirmed a downhole temperature of 118 C at a well owned by SECURE ENERGY at the project site south of Grande Prairie. Based on the assessment, this temperature is enough to generate power from geothermal resources. With this research, Alberta No. 1 is exploring for additional opportunities for the project site.

“We believe that this research will be a catalyst, driving the creation of made-in-Alberta carbon reduction solutions.” says Dr. Catherine Hickson, CEO of Alberta No. 1.

“Geothermal is seen as an extremely efficient, clean, renewable resource of power generation,” says Dr. Rick Chalaturnyk, a professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. “This corner of Alberta is one of the places where researchers have very little information about the carbon sequestration possibilities, and that expansion of the capacity to provide carbon sequestration to carbon-emitting industries is a critical element necessary for Alberta to achieve its carbon reduction goals.”

Source: Alberta No. 1