#865: Dr Jonathan Banks: Geothermal Power Temperature Criteria

, , ,

Download MP3 Link

Dr Jonathan Banks at the University of Alberta has been researching geothermal resources over the last decade.

He says to produce geothermal electricity in Alberta, we need temperatures of about 100 degrees celsius.

DR JONATHAN BANKS:   To produce electricity with modern technology,  it’s not so much based on the temperature, it’s based on the temperature differential.  So there’s a hot side and a cold side to an engine.  And to reliably produce electricity in an economic fashion here in Alberta, we’re looking to get a temperature differential of 100 degrees or more.  Since the average ambient air temperature  in Alberta is about zero, we look for temperature above 100 degrees to make electricity.  For directly using the heat, we actually only need water that’s at the temperature we want to use it at.   So to run a greenhouse for example, we’re looking for temperatures that are about 60 degrees.  To melt snow off a road, for that we only need water that’s maybe 40 degrees celcius. 

Dr. Jonathan Banks says higher geothermal temperatures, at say 120 degrees, lead to a positive cascading effect.  

This allows production of electricity at the high end.  Then as the water cools, it can be used for heating.
  
Thanks today to ALBERTA INNOVATES

Learn more at INNOVATION ANTHOLOGY.COM

I’M CHERYL CROUCHER

Guest

,

, , , ,

Sponsor

Alberta Innovates

Alberta Innovates is a provincially funded Corporation with a mandate to deliver 21st century solutions for the most compelling challenges facing Albertans. We do this by building on our province’s research and technology development strengths in the core sectors of health, environment, energy, food and fibre and platforms such as artificial intelligence, nanotechnology, and omics. We are working with our partners to diversify Alberta’s economy, improve our environmental performance and enhance our well-being through research and innovation. 

The Alberta Innovates system has roots stretching back almost 90 years

In March, 2016 the consolidation of Alberta Innovates was announced and on November 1, a single, integrated innovation powerhouse, Alberta Innovates, was formed. Two applied research subsidiaries – Innotech Alberta and C-Fer Technologies –  serve public and private sector interests.

The Alberta Innovates system was first created in January 2010, as part of an overall innovation framework developed within the Alberta Research and Innovation Act. At that time, four corporations were established:

  • Bio Solutions
  • Energy and Environment Solutions
  • Health Solutions
  • Technology Futures.

The Alberta Innovates system has a 90-year legacy. Our expertise is built on the successes of:

  • Alberta Institute for Agriculture
  • Forestry and the Environment
  • Alberta Agricultural Research Institute
  • Alberta Forestry Research Institute
  • Alberta Life Sciences Institute
  • Alberta Ingenuity
  • Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research
  • Alberta Research Council
  • iCORE
  • nanoAlberta
  • Alberta Water Research Institute (AWRI)
  • Alberta Energy Research Institute (AERI)
  • Alberta Oil Sands Technology and Research Authority (AOSTRA).

 

Program Date: 2017-05-04