Join PHAb for the Building Better in Alberta webinar series featuring Brad Nickel from EQUS.
EQUS along with Thermal Creek Geothermal and Truman with support from Alberta Ecotrust evaluated an 89-unit development to compare the cost of a natural gas system and a geothermal system. The study found that geothermal energy is technically viable and highly effective for the development. The proposed Onsite Utility Cooperative (OUC) model helps overcome upfront cost barriers by spreading infrastructure costs over the system’s long lifespan. This approach can reduce capital costs by over 50% (compared to natural gas), provide long-term cost stability for residents, improve comfort through heating and cooling, and cut greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 50%.
Overall, the project was determined to be technically feasible with strong environmental and economic benefits. The presentation will walk participants through the economic analysis of the project and the structure of the Onsite Utility Cooperative.