Friday, December 14, 2018

Canada: Open Access Lab Dedicated to Geothermal Energy Opens in Quebec City

An open access lab to explore the eco-friendly furnace beneath our feet (INRS)

Professor Jasmin Raymond of INRS launches the LOG, an open lab dedicated to geothermal energy



In order to ramp up knowledge-sharing and development, the Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS), located in Quebec City, Canada, has created the Laboratoire ouvert de géothermie (LOG). For Professor Jasmin Raymond, the scientist in charge of the lab, geothermal energy is “not only good for the environment but also cost-effective, especially for buildings meant to be in use for decades.”

More than 10% of GHG emissions in Quebec come from residential and commercial properties that still use oil-burning furnaces. Upgrading those systems is part of the Quebec government’s 2013–2020 Climate Change Action Plan. “A shift to geothermal energy would have a big impact on our carbon footprint,” says Professor Raymond.

The LOG is not only home to the latest technology, but is also designed to be accessible to all, much like free software.

Outside partners can use the LOG equipment for free. They can come analyze their rock samples or even test innovative new materials for thermal conductivity and other geothermal properties.

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