Project Overview

Project T05-P01 undertook an evaluation of a number of Canada’s geothermal resources. This project focused on using geophysical data to obtain information about subsurface structure that included rock type, fluid content and temperature. This type of investigation reduces the economic risks of geothermal energy development because surface based geophysical data can guide the location of boreholes that are drilled to extract heat from the subsurface.  However, there are always uncertainties in models of subsurface information obtained from surface geophysical data. In this project, a new approach will be developed to determine the uncertainty in 3-D models of subsurface resistivity derived from magnetotelluric data. The method will be applied to several geothermal projects in Canada and will make an important contribution to ongoing geothermal development.