The Pacific Energy Innovation Association (PEIA) is an independent, non-profit association of energy professionals incorporated under the Society Act of British Columbia. Its mission is to initiate and promote discussion and action for energy innovation, efficiency and sustainability. They will be hosting a geothermal talk on June 2. The presenter is Geothermal Canada president Dr. Catherine Hickson.
PEIA Energy Breakfast Webinar
via Zoom
Tuesday, June 2nd, 2020
7:15am - 8:45am
Geothermal Energy - Opportunities in BC
Presenter:
Catherine Hickson, P.Geo, PhD - Chief Geologist & Technical Advisor, Terrapin Geothermics, Edmonton, AB
Zoom meeting details will be emailed and posted online to
www.peia.biz in advance of the event.
Topic: Geothermal Energy - Opportunities in BC
Geothermal energy in Canada started in the mid-1970’s when a small industry, driven by the first global oil crisis, focused on Canadian resources. Countries with rich, high-temperature resources continued to develop geothermal energy, but this proved difficult in countries like Canada, with significant natural gas, coal, and hydro resources. Several of the companies born in the 1970’s turned their attention globally, and to states like Nevada & California. For example, Nevada Geothermal was a Vancouver-based company, employing Canadian engineers & geoscientists.
Until recently, there have been only a few upswings in deep geothermal development in Canada since the 1970’s. However, industry veterans now see a step-change in the attention given to deep geothermal energy prospects. Situated on the Pacific Ring of Fire, BC has good geothermal energy potential. Buoyed by the need for GHG reduction, geothermal’s attributes are being noticed – base load, high capacity factors, infrastructure longevity and low capex following construction. With a significant infusion of Federal funding for project development, and for R&D & innovation, geothermal is poised to make a breakthrough in Canada’s renewable energy space.
Hear the PEIA June speaker on the CBC: https://newsinteractives.cbc.ca/longform/mount-st-helens-eruption-may-1980
Presenter: Catherine Hickson, P.Geo, PhD - Chief Geologist & Technical Advisor, Terrapin Geothermics, Edmonton, AB
Cathie started her geothermal career in 1981 as a student assistant with the Geological Survey of Canada (GSC), logging the geothermal gradient of oil wells. She spent the next 25 years as a Research Scientist with the GSC, and headed the Vancouver office for seven years. In 2008, she joined mining entrepreneur Ross Beaty in establishing Magma Energy, a pureplay geothermal company. It became Vancouver-based Alterra Power, which was recently acquired by Quebec-based Innergex Renewable Energy Inc, making Innergex BC’s largest private power producer. Terrapin works to reduce emission intensities via innovative waste-heat-to-power & geothermal energy projects.
In 2014, Cathie founded Tuya Terra Geo. Corp., to develop geothermal energy globally, through green to brown field exploration; reservoir testing & management; drilling & development. She earned BSc and PhD degrees at UBC.
EIA Seminars meet the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of BCs (EGBC) definition of informal continuing professional development. For more information, go to EGBC's CPD guideline.