The County of Grande Prairie, Alberta gave an update on a study of potential geothermal energy resources in the area in a recent newsletter.
Dr. Jonathan Banks from the University of Alberta and Maureen Kolla from Alberta Innovates presented the interim results of the preliminary geothermal report conducted in the summer. Dr. Banks also answered Council’s queries.
The County invested $20,000 to have this preliminary study completed. The
research team at the University of Alberta studied a 10-kilometre radius around the communities of Beaverlodge, Grande Prairie, Hythe, Sexsmith, and Wembley to determine the most viable reservoirs that have the potential to provide geothermal energy.
Research indicated geothermal power would be available at each reservoir in the County over a 30-year production period. The two most promising reservoirs in
the area were located near Sexsmith and in an area northeast of Grande Prairie.