Geothermal Energy from Innovated Technology
Funded through the Partnership Intake Program in 2019, this project successfully validated the thermodynamic performance and feasibility of the Eavor-Loop which provides clean, scalable, dispatchable heat and power. This project was completed in 2020 and de-risked the key commercial and technical components of Eavor-Loop™, enabling widespread application in new markets including district heating or cooling in cities, large scale electricity generation projects, distributed electricity and remote communities. More recently, this technology is being scaled up through a $90M investment by the Canada Growth Fund, the fund’s first approved investment.
Unlike some other geothermal technologies, the Eavor-Loop™ demonstration project does not involve fracking or greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions during operations, which means that it does not result in seismic activity or aquifer contamination as part of its operations in the subsurface. Additionally, Eavor-Loop operates with minimal water usage, reducing the strain on water resources and thus the associated emissions. The key difference of Eavor-Loop™ relative to existing geothermal technology is that it is a completely closed-loop; It is a buried-pipe system, akin to a deep radiator or heat exchanger. The system leverages the “thermosiphon effect” – a method of passive heat exchange based on natural convection – to circulate water through the loop, which is heated in the subsurface then brought to the surface. Eavor-Loop™ technology is scalable using repeatable standardized wells without being held back by scarce resources and high-risk exploration, as there is no need for high temperature volcanic hotspots, permeable aquifers, or hydrothermal flow capacity. The technology also eliminates the need for combustion of fossil fuels, thus reducing direct emissions. The closed-loop system also prevents the release of GHGs into the atmosphere.
Validating Eavor-Loop™ for Commercialization
The project learnings contribute to the overall understanding and advancement of the Eavor-Loop™ and broader geothermal technology, providing valuable insights for future projects and commercialization efforts.
As part of the ERA-supported project, Eavor-Loop™ was successfully sealed using their Rock-Pipe™ completion method, which eliminated the need for steel casing that can reduce a projects lifetime as they are vulnerable to corrosion and scaling. This success demonstrates the feasibility of chemically sealing the system, ensuring its integrity and minimizing the risk of leaks or fluid exchange with the surrounding geological formation.
Additionally, the project validated the thermodynamic performance of the Eavor-Loop system and demonstrated the effectiveness of the thermosiphon effect in driving circulation without the need for pumps. This learning confirms the efficiency and reliability of the system, showcasing its potential as a baseload and dispatchable renewable energy solution across the grid.
What’s next?
This project unlocked a new source of geothermal energy that is de-risked and now ready for commercial deployment. The completion of the project has also accelerated project development and led to growing interest from partners and clients globally. The subsequent Canada Growth Fund investment also paves the way for greater scale up of the technology. Eavor is now focusing on the immediate commercialization and deployment of this technology, initially targeting international markets. The CGF investment will help ensure the company’s headquarters remains in Calgary and they will continue to focus investment to grow Canadian projects and expand their technology to address decarbonization across the globe.