Royal Roads University Receives $3 Million for Canada's First Ultradeep Geothermal Research Facility

Royal Roads University (RRU) has received over $3 million in donations to establish Canada's first ultradeep geothermal (UDG) research facility. The funding, provided by three philanthropic donors - the Grantham Foundation for the Protection of the Environment, Founders Pledge's Climate Change Fund, and Rethink Charity Foundation's RC Forward Climate Change Fund - will significantly expand Canada's research and development efforts in geothermal power, supporting the country's goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

The Cascade Institute program at RRU will lead the research, focusing on tapping into the vast amounts of geothermal energy hidden in dry, hot rocks 5-10 km beneath the Earth's surface. The goal is to generate 50-100 GW of power, which could help Canada achieve its net-zero emissions target by 2050. The institute says this deep geothermal energy can provide an unlimited, renewable supply of clean power almost anywhere on the planet.

Why this matters: The development of ultradeep geothermal technology has the potential to transform Canada's energy landscape and contribute significantly to the global effort to combat climate change. By harnessing the Earth's deep energy, this research could open the door to a sustainable and reliable source of clean power, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and accelerating the transition to a net-zero future.

The technology is designed to drill into rocks that are 150°C or hotter, and the drilling does not require tectonic activity, making it a viable option for the Canadian Shield. The project aims to solve the challenge of drilling in the Canadian Shield and make geothermal power accessible anywhere on the planet. Geothermal energy is seen as more efficient and safer than nuclear power, and less weather-dependent than wind or solar.

The research findings will contribute to a global program, and the institute plans to develop a test site model and provide guidance to tech companies, investors, and the public sector to promote the development of ultra-deep geothermal technology in Canada. The potential benefits of this technology outweigh the risks, and it could bring different parts of the country together around a "moonshot moment" to shift away from oil and gas.

The Cascade Institute will lead the knowledge mobilization and coordinated efforts across industry, academia, and government to advance this critical climate innovation for Canada. The philanthropic donors recognize the incredible potential of this technology to address the climate crisis and transform Canada's energy landscape. As Ann Hendriks, Executive Director of the Cascade Institute, stated, "This funding will allow us to significantly expand Canada's research and development efforts in geothermal power, supporting the country's goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050."

Key Takeaways

• RRU received $3M in donations to establish Canada's first ultradeep geothermal research facility.
• The goal is to generate 50-100 GW of power to help Canada achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
• The technology can provide an unlimited, renewable supply of clean power almost anywhere.
• The research aims to solve the challenge of drilling in the Canadian Shield and make geothermal power accessible.
• The findings will contribute to a global program and provide guidance to promote ultradeep geothermal technology in Canada.