Geoscience BC study reaffirms geothermal potential in Kootenay Lake, BC, Canada
Kootenay Lake, British Columbia, Canada (source: Mari Smith / flickr, Creative Commons)
Carlo Cariaga
10 Jan 2024
Detailed data collection and modeling by Geoscience BC indicates a geothermal reservoir over 75 °C hosted in quartzite at the Kootenay Lake site in BC, Canada.
A new report published by Geoscience BC provides further evidence of a potential geothermal direct-heat source near Kootenay Lake in the Southeast Region of British Columbia, Canada. The findings enhance the net-zero emissions economy prospects of the region.
The completion of the Kootenay Lake Geothermal Project – Phase Three advances the goal to inform clean energy decisions by industry, communities and Indigenous groups as they seek to develop low-carbon energy and heat solutions.
Advancing the potential to provide a direct-heat energy source to nearby communities, the latest research phase focused on the Crawford Creek warm spring activity. This had been identified in the second phase as having the most geothermal potential, owing to its proximity to a deep-seated fault that may act as a conduit for geothermal fluids from deep below the surface.
The research team collected a range of geotechnical data over the summer and fall of 2023 and developed a 3-D geological and geothermal model. The results provide further evidence of geothermal circulation within the highly fractured and extensive host quartzite, and the prospect of tapping into a geothermal reservoir over 75 °C at depth.
Geoscience BC Manager, Energy and Water Randy Hughes said: “With each phase of this research project, the geothermal potential of the Kootenay Lake area is further refined. The prospect of direct-heat energy to nearby communities can attract investment and benefit the net-zero emissions economy in the Kootenay region.”
Phase Three of the project has seen successful, technical collaboration involving the University of Victoria and Selkirk College and was funded by Geoscience BC, the Regional District of Central Kootenay, Rural Economic Diversification and Infrastructure Program (REDIP),?CiCAN – Natural Resources Internship Program, and Mitacs.
To view the reports and maps, visit the project pages or view the information on Geoscience BC’s Earth Science Viewer online mapping application.
About Geoscience BC
Geoscience BC’s independent, public geoscience is a first link in the supply chain for Canada’s net-zero emissions economy. Our critical minerals and metals, cleaner energy and geological carbon capture and storage research is funded by industry, government and other partners. It informs evidence-based decisions by industry, governments, Indigenous groups and communities.
Geoscience BC is guided by a volunteer Board of Directors, technical and Indigenous volunteers and by Geoscience BC members. We are a not-for-profit society incorporated under the BC Societies Act. We gratefully acknowledge the financial support of our partners, including the Province of British Columbia through the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation.
Visit geosciencebc.com or follow @GeoscienceBC to find out more.
Source: Email correspondence
