Alberta to partially fund facility to test geothermal drilling techniques
![Alberta invests in geothermal technology A drill rig for a geothermal heat pump sits outside a home in White Plains, N.Y., Monday, May 8, 2023. Industry experts see the technology becoming increasingly popular in the coming years. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson)](/content/dam/ctvnews/en/images/2024/4/30/alberta-invests-in-geothermal-technology-1-6867710-1714500246794.jpg)
The Alberta government is helping fund what it says is Canada's first test site for geothermal energy drilling techniques.
Environment Minister Rebecca Schulz says the province will spend $750,000 to help fund a feasibility study on the project.
The study, led by Calgary-based Eavor Technlogies, is to help identify a site and lay the groundwork for initial planning stages.
Eavor CEO John Redfern says the facility would give Canadian geothermal developers a place to test their technology at home rather than have to work in the United States or elsewhere.
He says rapid growth of wind and solar power in Alberta is fuelling interest in geothermal as a source of reliable baseload power to the electricity grid.
Schulz says the Alberta Drilling Accelerator could be putting its first holes in the ground as early as next year.
Eavor previously received $2 million in funding from the province and $90 million from the federal government to scale up and build a commercial geothermal facility in Germany.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6894783.1716309543!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
Air turbulence: When can it become dangerous?
Flight turbulence like that encountered by a Singapore Airlines flight on Tuesday is extremely common, but there's one aspect of severe turbulence an aviation expert says can lead to serious injury.
B.C. serial killer Robert Pickton hospitalized after prison attack
British Columbia serial killer Robert Pickton was attacked and sustained life-threatening injuries in a Quebec prison Sunday in what officials described as a 'major assault.'
People in Gaza are 'wasting' from famine: World Food Programme director
World Food Programme executive director Cindy McCain says people living in Gaza are 'wasting' as famine concerns continue amid the war between Israel and Hamas.
WATCH Why today's inflation numbers are good if you have a mortgage
New inflation data is 'welcome news' for consumers and an economist says it could signal the possibility for a interest rate cut as several core measures also continue to ease.
Toronto Blue Jays fan struck by 110 m.p.h foul ball offered tickets, signed baseball by team
The Toronto Blue Jays have offered tickets and a signed baseball to a fan who says she was struck in the face by a 110 m.p.h (177 km/h) foul ball at Friday’s game.
OPP continues to investigate boat collision north of Kingston, Ont. that left 3 people dead
Ontario Provincial Police continue to investigate a long weekend fatal boat collision on Bobs Lake, north of Kingston, Ont.
Matthew Perry's death is being investigated over ketamine level found in actor's blood, reports say
An investigation has been opened into the death of Matthew Perry and how the “Friends” actor received the anesthetic ketamine, which was ruled a contributing factor in his death.
'Miscommunication' Liberals say of Speaker Fergus event invite Conservatives call partisan
House of Commons Speaker Greg Fergus is facing fresh Conservative-led calls to resign, this time over "very partisan" and 'inflammatory' language used – the Liberals say mistakenly – to promote an upcoming event.
'Mr. Trump doesn't worry us', says Canadian ambassador
As Prime Minister Justin Trudeau continues the 'Team Canada' charm offensive to U.S. lawmakers and business leaders, Canada's ambassador to the United States downplayed the effect of another Trump presidency on Canada.