Geothermal Reseources in Canadian Cordillera

1

Potential of Geothermal Energy Resources in the Canadian Cordillera

GLGY 707 Geology and Geophysics of Western Canada

By : Yulini Arediningsih

2nd December, 2011University of Calgary

2

Keywords

Geo means Earth

Thermal means Heat

Other keywords : geothermal systems, geothermal reservoirs, geothermal resources, surface manifestation

3

Fast Facts

Western Canada sits along the Circum Pacific, Ring of Fire Rich in active young volcanoes, intrusions and numerous surface thermal manifestations (hot and warm springs)

BUT, currently Canada still remains as the only country on the Pacific Rim that has not utilized geothermal resources for electric generation

Source : http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov

4

Introduction

Geothermal systems and their key elements

Canadian Cordillera

Distribution of the Geothermal Systems

Conclusions

Outline

5

To overview :

Types of geothermal systems that potentially occur in the

Canadian Cordillera

Key elements of geothermal systems in the Canadian Cordillera and distribution of the geothermal systems

Introduction Objectives

6

Geothermal Systems

Source : http://geothermal.marin.org

HEAT SOURCE

Permeable conduits

Recharge area

CONVECTION FLOW

Key elements

7

Geothermal Systems

Based on temperature range of the reservoir

Types

150°C 200°C

Medium temperature system

High temperature system

Low temperature system

250 - ~300°C~ 80-90°C

8

Geothermal Systems

Based on their nature and geological settings :

1. Volcanic geothermal systems

2. Convective deep fluid or thermal spring systems

3. Sedimentary geothermal systems

4. Hot dry rock systems, also known as Enhanced or Engineered Geothermal Systems (EGS)

Types

9

Canadian Cordillera

(Lebel, 2009)

Morphological belts

10

Canadian Cordillera Geological Controls

High to very high heat flow throughout the Canadian Cordillera.

The highest heat flow in the Garibaldi Volcanic Belt (>200mW/m2)

(Blackwell and Richards, 2004)

(Grasby and Hutcheon, 2010)

11

Canadian Cordillera Geological Controls

Potential heat source for high temperature volcanic geothermal systems

(Hickson, 2000)

12

Canadian Cordillera Geological Controls

Potential heat source for hot dry rock systems or thermal spring systems

(Lewis et al, 1992)

13

Canadian Cordillera

(Grasby and Hutcheon, 2001)

Numerous thermal springs in SE British Columbia and SW Alberta associated with major extension faults and main thrust faults in the Rocky Mountains

Geological Controls

14

Canadian Cordillera

(Grasby et al, 2011)

15

MC-6 well, South Meager field in Pemberton Valley being flowed tested in Nov. 2004. This well can supply a 20 kW pilot geothermal power facility

www.geothermalmagazine.eu

16

All types of geothermal resources from low to high temperatures geothermal systems potentially can occur in the Canadian Cordillera

The tectonic and geological settings of the Canadian Cordillera adjacent to Pacific Plate margin, associated with active volcanism, felsic intrusions and major extension faults and main thrust faults may provide the main key elements of heat source and permeable conduits that are required for the occurrence of the geothermal resources.

Conclusions

17

The distribution :

1) Volcanic geothermal systems : mainly in the Cascade/Coastal Plutonic Belt

2) Convective deep fluid systems : broadly distributed throughout the Cordilleran belts.

3) Sedimentary geothermal systems : the Peace Region, NE of British Columbia (Foreland Belt) and

Western Canada Sedimentary Basin

4) Hot dry rock systems : Potentially exist in all for morphological belts except Foreland Belt

Conclusions

18

Blackwell,D.D. and Richards,M., 2004. Geothermal Map of North America. Am. Assoc. Petrol. geol., 1 map sheet, 1:6,500,000.

Gabrielse,H., Monger,J.W.H., Wheeler, J.O. and Yorath,C.J. 1992. Chapter 2, Tectonic framework, Part A. Morphogeological belts, tectonic assemblages and Terranes. In – Geology of the Cordilleran Orogen in Canada, Ed.Gabrielse,H and Yorath,C.J., Geological Survey of Canada, Geology of Canada, No. 4.

Lewis, T.J., Bentkowski, W.H. and Hyndman, R.D., 1992. Crustal Temperatures near the lithoprobe southern Canadian Cordillera Transect. Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, 29: 1197-1214. Slemmons, Engdahl, Zoback, and Blackwell, Geol.Soc.Am., Decade Map Volume 1, 445-456.

Grasby and Hutcheon, 2010, Controls on the Distribution of Thermal Springs in the Canadian Cordillera, Proceedings World Geothermal Congress 2010, Bali, Indonesia, 25-29 April 2010

Grasby, S.E., Allen, D.M., Bell, S., Chen, Z., Ferguson, G., Jessop, A., Kelman, M., Ko, M. Majorowicz, J., Moore, M., Raymond, J., and Therrien, R. 2011, Geothermal Energy Resource Potential of Canada, Geological Survey of Canada, Open File 6914, 322.

Hickson, C.J., 2000, Volcanic hazards in Canada: a review, GeoCanada 2000. Calgary, Alberta. May 29-June 2, 2000

Lebel, D. (ed), 2009, Geoscience Needs for Geothermal Energy Development in Western Canada: Findings and Recommendations, British Columbia Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, Petroleum Geology Open File 2009- 03, 18 pages.

Monger, J.W.H., Price, R.A. and Templeman-Kluit, D.J., 1982. Tectonic accretion and the origin of the two major metamorphic and plutonic welts in the Canadian Cordillera. Geology, 10: 70-75.

Some of the Cited References

19

Thank you

Any questions ?