Schulich researcher takes lead of Energi Simulation Centre for Geothermal Systems Research

With a focus on “Every Joule Counts,” a new step is being taken in the research and development of geothermal energy at the University of Calgary.

The Energi Simulation Centre for Geothermal Systems Research will now be led by Dr. Apostolos Kantzas, PhD, PEng, a professor in the Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering at the Schulich School of Engineering.

He takes on the role of Energi Simulation Industrial Research Chair in Energy Transition as the director of the centre, focusing on expanding research and impact in the energy industry.

Kantzas says he is looking forward to moving the laboratory’s efforts forward.

“From a research point of view, the opportunities are tremendous,” he says. “New materials, new drilling and completion technologies, new modelling and control strategies, energy integration, new community and infrastructure development – the list goes on and on.”

The position is part of a five-year, $1-million investment by Energi Simulation that first began in 2022.

An emerging source of energy

The Geothermal Energy Laboratory was launched in 2020 at the Schulich School as a way for researchers to investigate the world of geothermal world of possibilities in Canada.

 

Viewed as a potential international leader in the industry based on the vast resources, the challenge has been bringing academia, industry and government together.

The Energi Simulation investment was announced two years later to establish the new centre with Dr. Roman Shor, PhD, being named the Energi Simulation Industrial Research Chair in Geothermal Systems.

Shor left UCalgary at the end of 2023 for a position at Texas A&M University.

Evolving with the energy industry

Kantzas was a perfect fit to replace Shor, as he had served as the co-director for the Geothermal Energy Lab.

He says it is important to evolve the role in a way to involve other aspects of the energy industry, particularly traditional oil and gas-service industries who he says are best qualified to lead their initiatives.

“There are only a few areas in Canada where geothermal energy for power is feasible and many of those are away from big centres,” Kantzas says. “Geothermal for heat will be more accessible but it has to be integrated into the existing infrastructure.”

His new role with the centre has several key focuses, ranging from understanding and implementing geothermal processes wherever possible, to developing a digital laboratory to assess conventional and geothermal resources.

Kantzas says it’s important to get the community to buy into options like geothermal, but it also needs to be affordable for the average family, which is where more research and development becomes key.

Positive impact on researchers and students

Energi Simulation has invested in other areas around the world, but UCalgary has always held a special place in the heart of president Duke Anderson.

“Our roots extend back to 1978 at the University of Calgary,” he says. “Since that date, we have contributed over $52 million towards research in the energy sector with $10 million of which going to UCalgary. That tradition will continue with the Energi Simulation Centre for Geothermal Systems Research.”

The company’s investment will help fund one postdoctoral fellow, two PhD students and a project manager while the program will also consist of 16 PhD students and nine Master of Science in Engineering students who are supervised by six faculty members from four faculties.

“We are thankful for the support of Energi Simulation as we continue to take a leading role in current and new energy research and development,” says Schulich School of Engineering Interim Dean Anders Nygren, PhD. “This funding will provide our faculty and students with opportunities to be difference-makers across the energy industry.”

Learn more about the Energi Simulation Centre for Geothermal Systems Research.