YCCIC Grants $125,000 to Yukon Energy for Geothermal R&D January 8, 2009

Whitehorse, Yukon (January 8, 2009) – A YCCIC research grant is making an innovative search for geothermal energy possible. Yukon Energy Corporation and the City of Whitehorse have received R&D funding that may lead to the discovery of geothermal heat sources for substantial electrical production.

The project will involve testing of two technologies in a cold climate – remote sensing satellite imagery and low-level airborne infrared thermal sensors – to help identify geothermal resources with potential for electrical production. The proposed application of these technologies by Yukon Energy may be revolutionary in providing lower cost and more efficient means of conducting pre-drilling geothermal reconnaissance work.

In the North, geothermal resources are buried deep in the earth, requiring drilling to a depth of several kilometres. Researchers believe that satellite imagery and thermal sensors will help locate geothermal hotspots.

“Yukon is located in an area of the Pacific known as the Ring of Fire,” Yukon Energy president David Morrison said. “We believe the potential is good for finding geothermal resources significant enough to produce a substantial amount of electricity – possibly between 500 and 1,500 megawatts of power.”

“We recognize the need to find more renewable power,” Morrison added. “If our research is successful, it could lead to us providing Yukoners with clean, affordable electricity that that has very little impact on the landscape and habitat.”

YCCIC contributed $125,000 to the $285,000-project. In addition to receiving YCCIC funding, Yukon Energy’s R&D team will have access to YCCIC’s strategic partnerships, institutional relationships and work facilities at Yukon College. Project researchers will be a combination of local and visiting scientists.