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Goldilocks zone:' Why Regina is well suited to use geothermal heat for new indoor aquatic centre
"Regina is in a kind of Goldilocks zone" for geothermal energy, said geologist Erik Nickel.
Author of the article:By Larissa Kurz
Southern Sask. is a geothermal hotspot
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Geothermal energy is a largely untapped renewable resource in Saskatchewan, despite much of the southern half of the province sitting atop an expansive underground saline aquifer called the Deadwood formation.
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One of the largest of its type, this aquifer stretches tens of thousands of square kilometres from the Rocky Mountains across Alberta and Saskatchewan, and down to South Dakota.
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“Regina is in a kind of Goldilocks zone, where the water is hot enough but not so deep it’s as expensive to drill,” Nickel explained.
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He compared Regina’s position to Estevan, where a private company called Deep Earth Energy Production Corporation drilled 3,500 metres to source for its power plant — the only other large geothermal energy project in the province.
If Saskatoon wanted to do this exact project, it would be more difficult because the water is not as hot there, because it’s shallower,” added Nickel.
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Geological researchers have known about Regina’s geothermal potential since a test well was drilled at the University of Regina in 1979, originally planned to heat buildings on campus.
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The project never went ahead because of cost, but Nickel said the data collected helped geologists understand the aquifer and informed his company’s evaluation of the IAF project.
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In its modelling, PTRC also used data from the last decade gathered via disposal wells at the Co-op Refinery Complex as well as wastewater injection wells for potash mines, like the one at Belle Plaine.
PTRC says move is innovative
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PTRC estimates the Deadwood aquifer will be a viable source of heated water for up to 70 years before the extraction process cools the overall temperature of the underground formation — well within the lifespan of the pool.
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Initial modelling anticipates using geothermal for the IAF will cut carbon dioxide emissions by about 8,829 tonnes per year, the same as taking 2,355 cars off the road annually.
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For now, the city only plans to use geothermal energy for its aquatic centre, but PTRC says it could be expanded to fuel other facilities. New modelling would be needed to update the aquifer’s lifespan projections and the feasibility of potentially further utilizing the same wells.
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In Nickel’s opinion, geothermal has remained an under-utilized energy source in Canada largely due to the up-front costs to drill, and the relatively cheap cost and convenience of natural gas.
If someone could post the photo of it, that would be great thank you
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