About Geothermal Energy
Geothermal energy is heat from below the Earth's surface that can be used for heating or generating clean electricity. Geothermal heat sources include heat created by
- the Earth's core,
- natural radioactive decay of elements,
- friction between rock formations, and
- solar absorption in the shallow subsurface.
Geothermal resources are a potential alternative energy source that will help meet Alberta's demand for power and heat. There are many uses for geothermal energy in Alberta:
- electrical power generation
- district heating (heat produced in a central location that is distributed via a piping system to the consumer for heating spaces and hot water use)
Examples of geothermal use include the following:
- aquaculture (the farming of fish or shellfish)
- heating greenhouses
- heat or power for industrial processing
Alberta's Subsurface Temperature
There are three main geological regions in Alberta (from west to east): the Rocky Mountains, the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin, and the Canadian Shield. Deep geothermal potential is generally higher in the western regions of Alberta.
Types of Geothermal Resources
Deep geothermal resources are in rock formations and fluids at depths below the base of groundwater protection. The temperature of these deep geothermal resources can exceed 120°C. Companies looking to develop deep geothermal resources can produce electricity or heat for use in existing oil and gas facilities or as a commodity for commercial or industrial users. We regulate deep geothermal developments.
The potential for deep geothermal development varies across the province based on reservoir temperature, depth, and other characteristics.
Shallow geothermal resources, also known as ground-source heat exchange or geo‑exchange systems, are found close to the surface and can be used with ground source heat pumps for space heating and cooling. The temperature of shallow geothermal resources tends to be less than 40°C. Alberta Environment and Protected Areas regulate shallow geothermal developments.
Types of Geothermal Systems
There are two main configurations used for deep geothermal development: open-loop systems and closed-loop systems. Geothermal resource extraction can coexist with oil and gas operations.
Open-loop systems involve circulating water from a porous rock formation through wells drilled into the formation. Water will collect in the wellbore as it seeps through the naturally porous rock. Hydraulic fracturing can be used to free water trapped within the formation to flow more easily to the wellbore. Hot water collected in the wellbore is lifted to a geothermal facility on the surface to extract the heat from the water. The now relatively cooler water is injected back into the same formation through other wells where it will be naturally reheated.
Closed-loop systems do not use formation water but rather other types of fluids as the medium to carry heat from a formation. In a closed-loop system, single wells or a pair of horizontal wells are interconnected, and fluids are circulated through the network. Cool fluids are pumped down the wellbore and are heated by the surrounding formation. The hot fluids are then lifted to a geothermal facility on the surface to extract the heat from the fluid. The relatively cooler fluid is recirculated back through the network in a continuous loop. In a closed-loop system, the fluids are entirely contained within the system.
If you have questions regarding regulatory requirements for engineered/enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) and advanced geothermal systems (AGS), please email us at inquiries@aer.ca or contact our inquiries line at 1-855-297-8311.
Additional geothermal infrastructure
Heat distribution pipelines are part of the infrastructure associated with heating plants. Geothermal heat distribution pipelines transport the geothermal heat via a carrier fluid from the heat source (e.g., heating plant) to the end user for hot water and space heating. End users include greenhouses, sportsplexes, and industrial, commercial, and residential facilities. Manual 028: Buried Geothermal Heat Distribution Pipelines outlines best practices to plan, design, operate, and close buried geothermal heat distribution pipelines.
How We Regulate Geothermal Development
On December 8, 2021, the Government of Alberta proclaimed the Geothermal Resource Development Act (GRDA). Under the act, the AER has the authority to regulate the safe, efficient, and responsible development of Alberta's deep geothermal resources.
As the regulator for geothermal development in Alberta, we implement government policy, rules, and regulations associated with the GRDA.
The GRDA builds on Alberta's strong record of responsible resource development by creating a dedicated regulatory framework to allow the development of geothermal resources and establishes the following regulatory responsibilities:
- The AER is the primary regulator for deep geothermal energy developments occurring below the base of groundwater protection, which is an estimate of the depth where groundwater becomes saline.
- Alberta Environment and Protected Areas is the primary regulator for shallow geothermal energy developments occurring above the base of groundwater protection.
- Alberta Energy and Minerals is responsible for overall policy development, tenure, and royalties.
The GRDA applies to facilities and pipelines used solely for geothermal energy production. Wells producing geothermal energy and oil and gas together will continue to be regulated under the Oil and Gas Conservation Act.
As per the Geothermal Resource Development Regulation, a facility associated with a geothermal resource developed for noncommercial use within an energy resource development activity regulated by the AER is exempt from regulation under the GRDA (i.e., used by oil and gas producers for their own operations).
The Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act (EPEA) covers authorizations for power plants, heating plants, and geothermal heating operations. Pipelines used to distribute the heat from the geothermal source to the end user are deemed pipelines as defined under EPEA (not the Pipeline Act nor the GRDA).
Regulatory Process for Geothermal Development
The Geothermal Resource Development Rules and Directive 089: Geothermal Resource Development introduce requirements and processes unique to geothermal energy development and include references to existing oil and gas regulatory instruments that apply to geothermal development.
Applying for a Licence
Application and licensee requirements are outlined within the Geothermal Resource Development Rules, Directive 089, and Manual 012: Energy Development Applications: Procedures and Schedules.
Depending on the type of geothermal development, applicants will need the following:
- a well licence under the GRDA
- a facility licence for commercial development under the GRDA
- a pipeline licence under the Pipeline Act
Geothermal Liability Management
Directive 089, describes our holistic approach to liability management throughout the life cycle of geothermal resource development, which includes the following:
- a holistic licensee assessment on the initial application to hold licences and during licence transfer applications for both transferee and transferor, including factors listed in Directive 067: Eligibility Requirements for Acquiring and Holding Energy Licences and Approvals,
- the Licensee Management Program that identifies companies at risk of not being able to meet their regulatory and liability obligations throughout the life cycle of geothermal resource development
We work to develop and implement liability management programs for all energy sectors, which help to protect Albertans from potential environmental issues and costs associated with the closure of energy projects.
Security Deposit
Applicants are required to provide at the time of application a security deposit of at least 50 per cent of the total estimated liability of their development and, at our discretion, maintain it throughout the development's life cycle. However, we have the option to collect a security deposit of up to 100 per cent of the total liability estimate if higher risks are identified with the application or as warranted by the holistic licensee assessment.
Applicants are required to provide liability estimates for each asset with their applications. See Manual 012 for details on the approach for determining liability.
Next Steps
We are amending other affected regulatory documents and updating our electronic submission systems to address new application processes.
Compliance and Enforcement
The development of geothermal resources will be monitored in accordance with our Integrated Compliance Assurance Framework, which helps ensure that companies follow the rules at every stage of development.
Stakeholder Information
Questions about geothermal resource development, including application submission, licences, and transfers, can be emailed to inquiries@aer.ca or contact our inquiries line at 1-855-297-8311.
