Community Geothermal Resource: Capacity Assessment and Training Program (GeoCAT)

Working together with our partners, Net Zero Atlantic will build project development capacity for mid-depth geothermal energy-based projects in Mi’kmaw and rural Nova Scotia communities.

This project has two parts:

• Engagement and relationship building with Nova Scotia communities to create and deliver the community-tailored “Geothermal Opportunity” information modules
• Deliver a “Geothermal Project Development” information module to provide community citizens with a ‘roadmap’ to potential project development

Funding for this 3-year project (April 2022 - March 2025) is being provided by Natural Resources Canada – Smart Renewables and Electrification Pathways Program - Capacity Building Stream, which aims to enable the future of renewable energy in communities

Further information is available in this news release.

Partners

Net Zero Atlantic is the coordinating organization for this project and will carry out related work in collaboration with:

• Confederacy of Mainland Mi'kmaq (CMM) will lead engagement on mainland Nova Scotia with member communities located on or near geothermal resources:
  • Glooscap First Nation
  • Sipekne’katik Band First Nation
  • Pictou Landing First Nation
• Unama'ki Institute of Natural Resources (UINR) will lead engagement on Cape Breton Island within the community located on or near geothermal resources
  • Membertou
  • Other communities if interest grows
• Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources and Renewables will provide a technical staff of geologists and geophysicists who are experienced in Nova Scotia’s geothermal potential
• Community liaisons will lead engagement in Nova Scotia communities located on or near geothermal resources:
  • Cape Breton
  • Cumberland County
  • Hants County
  • Pictou County

Questions and Answers

Why geothermal in Nova Scotia?

• Heating is the biggest energy user in most Nova Scotia homes, where oil, electricity, or natural gas are the primary heating methods
• Nova Scotia has great mid-depth geothermal resource potential. This can include heating and cooling from abandoned mines, ground source heat pumps, and direct-use of heat applications
• Springhill, NS has successfully used mine water geothermal for district heating for decades, but it is a largely untapped resource in the province otherwise 
• Geothermal could displace some of this reliance on other resources for heating

Why Capacity Building for Geothermal?

• Capacity building through public engagement regarding the geothermal resource potential in the province could inform Nova Scotians about energy options for their homes, their community, and economic development opportunities. This can empower communities to make decisions about future project development

• Geothermal projects in Nova Scotia could be tailored based on their resource availability, existing infrastructure, and project development opportunities in communities

Want to learn more?

Contact us here.