Ontario Geothermal Association News
OGA Conference 2011
Attend the OGA's 2nd Annual Conference - November 3 & 4, 2001 in King City, Ontario.
Register Now! - Click here to register for OGA Conference 2011
For more information see the OGA Conference 2011 Brochure
Ground Source Heating and Cooling Symposium
The Toronto Conservation Authority is holding a one-day Ground Source Heating and Cooling Symposium, November 3, at the Kortright Centre, Vaughan, Ontario.
This workshop is geared toward system designers, installers, architects, consultants, municipal staff, building owners and anyone interested in learning more about ground source heating and cooling systems. Participants will also hear the latest news from the Ontario Geothermal Association, will learn about the GeoCity Partnership.
Click here for more information
OGA Launches Demo of New Geothermal Energy Maps of Ontario
The Ontario Geothermal Association has released a beta demo-version of a new mapping system that will be used to showcase geothermal energy resources in Ontario. The innovative mapping technology is being developed by the OGA to raise the profile of geothermal energy in the Province at a critical time in the growth of the industry.
OGA President, Brian Beatty, says the maps will increase public and government awareness, encourage development of the geothermal energy resource and highlight individual projects completed by each association member.
"Our marketing surveys have shown that the widespread use of geothermal energy in Ontario goes largely unnoticed, because we lack a comprehensive database on system installations," Beatty says. "For the first time, both the public and industry stakeholders will be able to search for information on the use and distribution of Ontario's geothermal energy resources."
By collecting data from its members, who include researchers, designers, equipment manufacturers, suppliers, system installers and geothermal drillers, the OGA will build a database of detailed information on geothermal energy systems installed across Ontario. They will plot the data on interactive maps, allowing people to quickly and easily find information about specific geothermal energy projects.
With the click of the mouse, the viewer will zoom out to see a whole region of the province, or zoom in to pinpoint an individual geothermal energy project. Clicking on a map icon for any given project will bring up a list of the members involved with the project and information on the type, size and year of installation.
"The OGA's objective with the new mapping initiative is to paint the province green, showcasing the geothermal energy systems that are currently in operation and projects that will be installed in the future." says Beatty.
Beatty expects the database to grow rapidly with records of the thousands of small-scale (residential homes) and large-scale (high-rise towers, schools and office buildings) geothermal energy systems that are already installed throughout the province.
You can test the demo version here.
OGA responds to Federal Budget regarding geothermal
Good news for the Ontario residential geothermal industry.
The June 6, 2011 budget has reinstated the ecoENERGY Program in the Next Phase of Canada's Economic Action Plan. Funding and tax measures that will support growth of the Ontario geothermal industry include:
Re-Instatement of ecoENERGY Retrofit-Homes Program
Budget 2011 includes an investment of almost $870 million over two years to address climate change and support the development of clean energy technologies. The largest portion of this investment will be allocated to the revival of the ecoENERGY Retrofit-Homes program. A total of $400 million in funding will be provided in 2011-12 to help homeowners make their homes more energy efficient and to reduce the burden of high energy costs.
Details of the ecoENERGY Retrofit-Homes program are not included in the budget, but will be announced in the near future. In the previous program, the largest grants were available to homeowners who retrofitted oil, natural gas and electrical heating and air-conditioning units with geothermal heat pumps.
Recent OGA meetings with the Ontario Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure indicated that if the Federal Government revived the ecoENERGY Retrofit- Homes program, the province would match the funding programs.
Accelerated Capital Cost Allowance (CCA) for Clean Energy Generation
In 2005, the Federal government introduced Class 43.2 in order to support the development and installation of Clean Energy systems. In 2010, the accelerated CCA was expanded to include investment in technologies that produce thermal energy, such as geothermal heat pump equipment.
The June 6, 2011 Budget outlines tax measures that will encourage businesses to invest in geothermal energy generation and conservation systems. CCA Class 43.2 includes geothermal heat pump equipment and district energy equipment that distributes thermal energy from geothermal heat pumps. The budget states that Class 43.2 "allows the cost of the assets to be deducted for tax purposes at a rate of 50% per year on a declining balance basis - which is faster than would be implied by the useful life of the assets"
The OGA will continue to lobby the Ontario government to match the Federal government's funding for residential retrofit geothermal systems.
OGA Thanks the Save ecoENERGY Coalition, who represents a group of home energy associations (manufacturers, suppliers, contractors, energy audit businesses, etc.) for the campaign they spearheaded to re-instate the ecoENERGY for Homes retrofit program. The Coalition letter of May 6, 2011, to Prime Minister Harper outlined a national plan that would involve renewal of the program for the next four years, at which time the ecoENERGY would be sustained without home retrofit grants.
Download this article:
OGA's response to Federal Budget highlights regarding geothermal (PDF)
OGA Signs Memorandum of Understanding with Provincial Geothermal Associations to launch cooperative relationship
Information sharing, leveraged stakeholder value and joint initiatives to be hallmark
The Provincial Geothermal / Geoexchange Associations of Ontario, Manitoba, Alberta and British Columbia entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with one another on March 1, 2010. The MOU formalizes an intent to foster a coordinated approach to information sharing, education and promotion of geothermal / geoexchange technology in Canada. The parties will share resources, program delivery mechanisms and address issues of mutual concern, while reflecting the unique needs of Provincial and Regional organizations. Together, the Associations represent more than 500 Canadian geothermal contractors, designers and industry professionals from Ontario west. Of top priority is to emphasize geothermal technology as a viable and sustainable energy option for residential and commercial buildings.
The Associations will meet on a regular basis to discuss opportunities for their memberships. Each organization will appoint representatives to form an inter-provincial committee for the coordination and dissemination of information, events, written reports as required, and recommendations back to the Provincial Geothermal / Geoexchange Associations.
Additionally, the inter-provincial committee will liaise with government authorities, national and international organizations and related stakeholders in an effort to promote the market penetration of ground source heat pump technology.
Ontario Geothermal Association (OGA)
Manitoba Geothermal Energy Alliance (MGEA)
Alberta Geothermal Energy Association (AGEA)
GeoExchange BC
Brian Beatty, OGA President
905-951-6723
Geothermal drilling in Ontario
brain@geoenergy-solutions.com
HRAI ethanol advisory note
The the HRAI has issued a new advisory note.
BC Inventor Wins Manning Innovation Award for Speedy Sonic Drill
Sonic Drill Makes Waves with Environmental Applications
CALGARY, AB - (September 8, 2010) Ray Roussy, a mechanical engineer from Surrey, BC, will take home a coveted $10,000 Innovation Award from the Ernest C. Manning Awards Foundation for developing one of the fastest drilling systems in the world. Roussy's sonic drilling technology, which he began developing in his own backyard nearly three decades ago, is in use on six continents and gaining worldwide recognition, especially as an environmentally-friendly alternative.
Today, Roussy's sonic drill is commonly used to quickly install geothermal energy loops, provide continuous core samples for environmental investigations and explore possible mineral deposits.
There is a critical need for more innovation in Canada Canadians need to create and commercialize innovations to compete in the global economy, says Bruce Fenwick, Executive Director of the Ernest C. Manning Awards Foundation. The Foundation, which is named after the former Alberta Premier, has provided over $4.2 million in awards, celebrated 225 adult and youth award winners and has had over 2,500 nominations in its 29-year history. Adds Fenwick, the Foundation's laureates are role models who inspire Canadians.
Unlike a traditional drill rig, the sonic drill uses high-frequency mechanical vibrations to easily cut through earth formations and bedrock. Not only is the sonic drill at least three to five times faster, it can also bore through tough terrain that typically stops other rigs. As a result, it is often used as a rescue rig where traditional drill rigs have failed.
I think its versatility is what makes the sonic drill a leader in its field, says Gary Whitesell, owner of Alberta company Crater Lake Drilling Ltd. It is the most multi-functional piece of equipment I have ever seen in the drilling industry.
Roussy is president of the contracting company, Sonic Drilling Ltd., and US-based Sonic Drill Corporation. He is also co-owner of the manufacturing company, Sonic Drill Systems. Combined together, the companies employ more than 50 people in Chilliwack and Surrey, BC. Overall company revenues are $8-10 million annually.
Roussy will receive his award in Ottawa on September 17th, in front of an audience of Canadian innovators, elected officials, educators and business leaders at a gala hosted by Senator Pamela Wallin, OC, Preston Manning, CC, and Bernard Lord.
The Ernest C. Manning Awards Foundation (www.manningawards.ca) recognizes the importance of Canadian innovation in strengthening our nation's capacity to compete in the global economy. The Foundation annually supports and celebrates Canadians with the imagination to innovate and the stamina to succeed.
