Eavor Technologies Inc. has developed the world’s first closed-loop geothermal system. In a demonstration project near Rocky Mountain House, Alberta, the Eavor-Lite facility uses existing oil and gas drilling technology and expertise to facilitate the development of an innovative energy supply.
The technology—dubbed the Eavor-Loop™—circulates a proprietary fluid that collects heat from below the earth’s surface in a multi-kilometre loop. Demonstration at this scale will provide the validation needed to de-risk identified commercial opportunities in Canada and around the world.
“The Eavor-Loop system incorporates the best of our province’s energy technology skills and capabilities to provide a new and sustainable opportunity for our world-renowned drilling industry. The result is a uniquely scalable source of emissions-free baseload power,” said John Redfern, President & CEO, Eavor Technologies Inc. “While geothermal energy is not new, the technology is something that you can implement across 80 per cent of the world, instead of five per cent of the world like traditional geothermal,” he added.
As a completely closed-loop system, there is no fracking, no GHG emissions, no earthquake risk, no water use, no produced brine or solids, and no aquifer contamination. Unlike other renewable energy solutions, Eavor-Loop™ is not intermittent, producing reliable baseload power.
The $10 million facility—a collaborative effort with Precision Drilling, Shell New Energies, and a number of other partners—began drilling in early August 2019. The pilot project will be completed by the end of the year. Once complete, it will serve as a testing site for ongoing research and development.
“The opportunity to take advantage of experience and capabilities, leveraging years of investment in our people, drilling rigs, and drilling technology, for the development of a sustainable zero emission energy alternative, is exciting for Precision Drilling,” said Kevin Neveu, President & CEO, Precision Drilling.
Building on years of research and development, the proprietary technology has gained substantial support. ERA committed $1 million to the project through its referral based Partnership Intake Program. This project is also being supported by ERA’s trusted partners, Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), Sustainable Development Technology Canada and Alberta Innovates.