The Acho Dene Koe First Nation and Borealis GeoPower are working on an “off the grid” smaller scale geothermal energy project.
The ADK/Borealis Geothermal Demonstration Project is a renewable heat and power project for the primarily First Nations Community of Fort Liard, NWT. The finished project will consist of a clean geothermal plant which will deliver 600 kW of electrical power (sufficient for ~750 people or the entire community), with the future option to utilize waste heat in direct use applications.
The project entails bringing cost effective electricity generation and direct heat opportunities to a community that is currently producing all of its power from diesel generation (entails pollution and noise). Borealis has also obtained the first ever geothermal Land Use Permit and Type A Water License Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board in the Northwest Territories. Drilling is expected to commence in the 2012-13 winter season, with power coming online by late 2013, or early 2014. Two wells will be drilled—one for injection and one for production. The water will be circulated in a closed loop, ie. no water withdrawls are required.
Natural Resource Canada’s Clean Energy Fund will provide $10-20 million in project funding. A successful demonstration will provide a model for other northern and First Nations communities with available geothermal resources.
British Columbia and Canada have no high-temperature geothermal power plants despite their proximity to the Pacific Ring of Fire. Canada is the only country along the Pacific Rim that doesn’t have an operating, high-temperature geothermal energy power plant.
Borealis GeoPower is a team comprised of world-class geoscientists, engineers, and project developers. We have come together to enable geothermal power production to become a major player in the Canadian power market. The organization is not a listed public company.
The Acho Dene Koe First Nation (ADKFN) represents approximately 600 members and is based in Ft.Liard NWT. ADKFN will own 51% of the project on completion.
The cost of the power is going to be $0.47/kw for residential and $0.40 for business.
This geothermal project is fascinating in that it: