Session 4F: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging

The advancement of the geothermal energy sector represents a critical frontier in the global shift toward renewable energy sources. A significant challenge in this endeavor is the integration of diverse industrial cultures, specifically those of the traditional oil and gas industry and the burgeoning environmental energy sector. This paper explores the hypothetical application of Gallup's Clifton Strengths framework as a means to bridge this cultural divide, positing that leveraging individual and collective strengths can facilitate a celebration of diversity, inclusion, and varied perspectives. This examination proposes that understanding and applying the inherent talents and strengths within these disparate sectors can lead to enhanced collaboration, innovation, and progress in geothermal energy development. By adopting the Clifton Strengths approach, the paper hypothesizes a scenario where the unique contributions of each individual are recognized and valued, fostering a more inclusive and productive dialogue between the traditional energy and environmental sustainability communities. This strengths-based strategy not only aims to accelerate the practical advances in geothermal technology and project execution but also seeks to establish a model for cross-sector cooperation rooted in mutual respect and shared objectives. Through theoretical analysis, this study illustrates the potential of the Clifton Strengths framework to act as a catalyst for uniting diverse groups, thereby contributing to the faster realization of geothermal energy's potential in the renewable energy landscape.

Geothermal energy, despite its availability, has been largely untapped in Canada thus far. The industry has struggled to gain traction due to a lack of foundational support and strategic policy frameworks. This paper explores the existing federal and provincial policy landscapes to identify gaps and propose actionable recommendations to stimulate the geothermal sector. With strategic policy support and targeted investments, Canada has the potential to unlock its geothermal resources, contributing to national energy security, economic growth, and environmental sustainability. By addressing existing policy gaps and adopting successful international models, Canada can position itself as a leader in renewable energy innovation, fostering a robust and sustainable geothermal energy industry.

At the federal level, promising tax credits are soon to be rolled out – including the Clean Technology ITC and the Clean Electricity ITC. These tax credits, now inclusive of geothermal heat and electricity, provide up to 30% and 15% refundable tax credits respectively, fostering investment in geothermal projects. Further policy opportunities for the federal government to play its part to lay the foundation of the industry may include Heat Price Swapping Agreements (HPSAs), which would enable the direct-use of geothermal heat by federal agencies. Establishing a clear framework for geothermal carbon offset projects and Carbon Contracts for Difference (CCFD) would provide certainty and encourage long-term investments. A risk mitigation fund would support geothermal developers by compensating unsuccessful projects and recycling funds from successful ones, thereby reducing financial risks and encouraging private sector investment.

In Alberta, targeted projects to fuel switch industrial processes to geothermal heat can significantly reduce emissions – these demonstrations would prove the economic and technical feasibility of geothermal energy. Similar to existing incentives for petrochemicals and carbon capture, a dedicated geothermal incentive program would attract investment and accelerate industry development. On the regulatory side, extending surface access rights, addressing urban drilling regulations in the presence of sour gas, ensuring exclusive rights to pore space, and considering electricity market reforms are essential to creating a conducive environment for geothermal energy development.

In British Columbia, introducing tax incentives similar to established mining tax credits and the proposed Carbon Tax Credits for Direct-Use Geothermal Investments can attract investment and reduce the financial burden on developers. Introducing a geothermal portfolio standard in the CleanBC Industry Fund and other public investment programs can facilitate the development of geothermal district heating systems and greenfield projects. Encouraging geothermal offset projects through the Fuel Switch Offset Protocol, reconsidering well classifications, exempting waste heat from regulation, and streamlining the permitting process can remove barriers and expedite geothermal project development in the province.

The geothermal community is well established with long-standing events, organizations, and tools that are known across the geothermal community. But many of these tools and resources are located behind pay walls, require memberships, or are otherwise difficult to find, especially for people looking to join the geothermal community. These barriers to access can prevent outsiders from discovering valuable geothermal resources, limiting the geothermal community’s potential for collaboration with other communities, such as clean energy entrepreneurs looking to expand into geothermal energy. The Department of Energy’s (DOE) GeoBridge serves to bring these communities together by acting as a single, publicly accessible, searchable portal that facilitates easy access to available geothermal knowledge and information. It works to expand and diversify the pool of geothermal stakeholders by providing in-roads to geothermal information and community resources. It helps build a stronger geothermal community; one inclusive of individuals and groups from a variety of different backgrounds, including potential investors and start-up companies looking to accelerate innovation in geothermal technologies.

By linking communities to geothermal information, analysis and expertise, GeoBridge serves as a launch point, directing interested parties to existing data and tools, events, educational resources, STEM programs, permitting and regulatory information, and other resources that can be used to evaluate, promote, and discover geothermal opportunities.

In 2010, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced the launch of its inaugural National Geothermal Student Competition. The competition was open to all colleges, universities, and other post-secondary institutions in the United States, and was labeled as the first-ever to address geothermal education. Student competitions have the capability of increasing awareness of renewable energy fields by engaging multi-disciplinary students in compelling design challenges to prepare them for the clean energy workforce. The GeoVision, published in 2019 by the Geothermal Technologies Office (GTO), stated that improving education and outreach about geothermal energy is critical in reducing risks and costs of geothermal technology deployment. The key actions included improving public education and outreach about geothermal energy and providing resources intended to attract and inform a skilled geothermal workforce. The main objective of the Geothermal Collegiate Competition (GCC) has been to advance and cultivate collegiate student knowledge and career interest in geothermal energy. Currently GTO, in partnership with an administration team at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), works toward goals of growing the number of students and collegiate institutions engaged, as well as diversifying the scope of the student design challenges. The main intentions of this publication are recording the competition evolution, set a baseline for future GCC impact analysis and serve as a guide to other students’ competitions designing committees looking for ideas to capture and increase the interest of students in collegiate competitions.

Ormat Technologies has recently developed and deployment a Technical Career Path, covering the roles of Geology, Geophysics, Geochemistry, Reservoir Engineering, Reservoir Modeling and Drilling Engineering.

This paper will discuss the: development process, considerations and challenges that went into the Technical Career Path, the deployment process, key learnings, and, future considerations. Twelve categories were developed and new job titles determined, and the requirements of each will be shared in full in this paper to enable other organizations to benefit from this work.

This session will highlight Geothermal Rising’s ongoing efforts to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within the geothermal sector, along with its focused initiatives specifically supporting Tribal communities.