Banff Explores Earth Heat for New Homes – Drilling Deep Test Well
Banff is planning to drill a 150-meter deep test well to see if they can use heat from the ground to warm a new housing project on Wolf Street. This $41 million project will offer homes at lower-than-market prices.
The town recently asked for more money for this project – increasing the budget from $100,000 to $140,000. This extra money will help cover any unexpected costs when drilling starts in April.
The Rocky Mountain Outlook writes that this technology, called geothermal or ground source heating, is just starting to be used in Banff.
Similar test
Michael Hay, who manages environmental projects for Banff, explained that Parks Canada recently drilled a similar test well at the downtown visitor center, which helped the town learn more about the process.
“Ground source heating is in its infancy in Banff, and the 150-metre drilling depths sought by Parks Canada and the Town are the deepest wells ever drilled in the area”, he said, noting there is geological uncertainty and therefore drilling cost uncertainty.
Hay compared this new technology to how solar power was developing years ago. “Think of ground source heat as what solar was 10 or 15 years ago. We’re just at the very, very infancy of learning about this technology in our community, but unlike solar, it’s a very location dependent.”
Clean energy source
The main goal is to find a clean energy source for the housing project, which could help get more funding. It might also make this technology available to everyone in Banff.
Some town officials worry about relying on this new system. Councillor Barb Pelham: “I think where I’m conflicted is we’re looking at building below-market housing on this property, and my concern is that a geothermal system to support this 40-plus housing unit may be a really awesome idea but it may not function super well, and it may not be reliable and we may need to in the end put in a whole natural gas system.”
Mayor Corrie DiManno assured everyone that drilling the test well doesn’t mean they must use ground source heating for the housing project. “The way that I frame this in my mind is this is a really good opportunity to learn about this technology”, she said.
The housing project approved last October will include about 50-60 homes for rent and for sale, with community spaces like a kitchen and areas for family activities.
