Challenges and opportunities

The main challenge facing geothermal energy development in Canada is lack of knowledge among energy consumers. Most Canadians are simply unaware of the energy resource literally under our feet. Because many Canadian homes do not require air conditioning, the benefits are not as obvious here as in parts of the United States. There may also be some confusion between geothermal heat pumps and the air-to-air heat pumps often used for air conditioning. (Until recently, air-to-air heat pumps have not functioned efficiently for heating at outside air temperatures below 10° C, although new designs are reported to provide heat efficiently at much lower temperatures.)

Building professionals – managers, architects, planners, engineers and contractors – have been aware of the benefits for more than 20 years. Much of the basic knowledge derives from a geothermal energy research program run by the federal government from 1976 to 1986. The advantages are most evident in larger facilities. However, more residential developments such as the Shadow Ridge subdivision near Ottawa are being built with geothermal heat pumps incorporated into the design and construction. Shadow Ridge uses geothermal heat pumps exclusively for heating and cooling all the homes.

The biggest impediment to wider use of geothermal energy is simply the huge number of existing buildings that were designed for other heating systems. Because geothermal energy systems generally operate at lower temperatures than conventional natural gas, fuel oil, propane or electric heating, the existing pipes and ductwork may not be large enough to distribute sufficient heat. However, geothermal energy may also be used in combination with conventional heating in both new and existing buildings.

As the cost of other energy forms rises, and as environmental issues such as climate change come to the fore, geothermal energy is likely to play an increasingly important role in meeting Canadian energy needs. The next challenge will be to ensure there are enough equipment suppliers and contractors to meet the demand.