Geothermal in Nova Scotia

Homes that are heated by geothermal pay very little after the initial outlay, for their heating and summer cooling.  Is this energy source explored to the maximum here in the Kootenays? We have natural hot springs, old mines (which may or not hold water) and sewage settling ponds all of which one might think would hold above average temperatures.  If a home can be heated with a small geothermal installation, how much more might be heated from these sources?  Greenhouses for year round food supply come to mind.  Food for thought.

January 24, 2014

Springhill has final provincial approval to open Nova Scotia's first municipal geothermal program.
Natural Resources Minister Zach Churchill signed a special lease to give the project the go-ahead.
"This is about supporting jobs and the community, while helping Springhill businesses and property owners benefit from this efficient, clean energy source," said Mr. Churchill.
Historic underground coalmine workings in Springhill contain about 49 billion litres of water.
The water is heated by geothermal energy from the Earth. The mines' depths make underground water as much as 11 C higher than normal groundwater temperatures. The water can be used to heat buildings, then returned underground to be reheated by natural processes.
"With this special lease, we can exploit a vast renewable and sustainable green energy source for the Town of Springhill and the Municipality of the County of Cumberland," said Mayor Maxwell Snow. "This program will help to develop Springhill's geothermal resource and possibly lead to creating a utility that will help all of Nova Scotia, the economy and the environment."
The province is committed to exploring alternative energy sources and reducing its reliance on fossil fuels.