Geothermal energy potential in the St-Lawrence River area, Québec

Previous estimates of geothermal energy potential in Canada give an indication of available heat to be ‘farmed’ at depth with focus on Western Canadian Cordillera and Western Canadian Sedimentary basin as prime targets. This paper examines in more detail temperature–depth realtionships near large population centres in Québec, in order to provide a first order assesment of enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) potential for electrical and heat generation. Results show areas with significant EGS potential in the St-Lawrence River valley related to high heat flow density and thermal blanketing of thick sedimentary cover. At >120 °C found to be a prospect for several areas in Québec (drilled to depths of over 4.5 km in Trois-Rivières area, near 4.5 km in the Eastern St-Lawrence River (Rimouski, Gaspé and Golf, including Anticosti Island) and just 4 km in Quebec area) the potentially available geothermal power from EGS hydrothermal systems in deep sediments can be of significance.

► We examined in more detail temperature-depth relationships near large population centers in Québec in order to provide a first assessment of enhanced geothermal systems potential for electrical and heat generation.
► Recorded bottom-hole temperatures have been corrected, average heat flow density – determined and temperature-to-depth profiles predicted up to 10 km depth.
► Results obtained show that at >120 °C being prospect for several areas in Québec (Trois-Rivières, Gaspé, Anticosti Island, etc.) the potentially available power generation can be of significance.