Cape Breton studies huge geothermal project (Nova Scotia)

[jpak]

http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/story.html?id=88280704-65ea-4726-89be-174e5b96f150

housands of kilometres of unused mines in the former coal mining capital of Canada could be getting new life as a source of clean, renewable energy to heat schools and hospitals in one of the largest geothermal projects ever contemplated.

Cape Breton sits on top of 3,200 kilometres of unused underground coal mines, some stretching far out under the Atlantic Ocean. The mines once supplied Canada with half its coal requirements.

Since the last underground coal mine shut down in 2000, the mines have been allowed to flood with water - which is being warmed by the heat of the Earth. The mine water remains at a constant temperature of between 9 and 15 C, depending on the depth of the shaft.

The Cape Breton Development Corporation and Cape Breton University are now looking at ways of tapping into that warm mine water by using heat-capturing technology to warm everything from hospitals to elementary schools.

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[thecrow]

1. I have land there... I should move!

It does get cold in the winter, though.
Funny, I was just looking at inexpensive solar/geothermal homes to build with my land in mind.