Pete Massie
@petemassie.bsky.social
Energy systems, geothermal power, and occasionally football.
Pinned
Pete Massie
@petemassie.bsky.social
· Jun 19
Opinion: How can Alberta and Ottawa be friends again? It begins with drilling
The federal government and the province should work together to make Canada a world leader in geothermal power
www.theglobeandmail.com
Ottawa & Edmonton don't always see eye to eye. But geothermal power can create common ground.
Geothermal uses O&G expertise to generate clean power - and can help Canada become a conventional & clean energy superpower.
My latest in the @theglobeandmail.com
www.theglobeandmail.com/business/com...
Geothermal uses O&G expertise to generate clean power - and can help Canada become a conventional & clean energy superpower.
My latest in the @theglobeandmail.com
www.theglobeandmail.com/business/com...
Flow rates are key to geothermal economics.
Higher flow => more energy => more power. So even if capex is fixed, higher flow rates can drive down unit costs.
And flow rates are getting better thanks to innovation that improves performance (vs. reducing capex alone)
Higher flow => more energy => more power. So even if capex is fixed, higher flow rates can drive down unit costs.
And flow rates are getting better thanks to innovation that improves performance (vs. reducing capex alone)
November 28, 2025 at 3:10 PM
Flow rates are key to geothermal economics.
Higher flow => more energy => more power. So even if capex is fixed, higher flow rates can drive down unit costs.
And flow rates are getting better thanks to innovation that improves performance (vs. reducing capex alone)
Higher flow => more energy => more power. So even if capex is fixed, higher flow rates can drive down unit costs.
And flow rates are getting better thanks to innovation that improves performance (vs. reducing capex alone)
Friendly reminder: oversupply does not preclude new supply.
Your place on the supply curve is what really matters. If you can produce for less than the next person, they become the oversupply.
Oversupply makes things difficult for new entrants - but far from impossible
Your place on the supply curve is what really matters. If you can produce for less than the next person, they become the oversupply.
Oversupply makes things difficult for new entrants - but far from impossible
November 27, 2025 at 9:39 PM
Friendly reminder: oversupply does not preclude new supply.
Your place on the supply curve is what really matters. If you can produce for less than the next person, they become the oversupply.
Oversupply makes things difficult for new entrants - but far from impossible
Your place on the supply curve is what really matters. If you can produce for less than the next person, they become the oversupply.
Oversupply makes things difficult for new entrants - but far from impossible
That feeling when you learn a new skill in Excel - even if it's not all that impressive
November 27, 2025 at 3:44 PM
That feeling when you learn a new skill in Excel - even if it's not all that impressive
"It's too small-scale" is not a useful criticism of new technology.
The ZEEP reactor - the forerunner to CANDU - produced less than 10 Watts. Two decades later, these designs produced 100s of millions of Watts.
Two decades after that, they scaled to nearly a billion Watts.
The ZEEP reactor - the forerunner to CANDU - produced less than 10 Watts. Two decades later, these designs produced 100s of millions of Watts.
Two decades after that, they scaled to nearly a billion Watts.
November 27, 2025 at 1:42 PM
"It's too small-scale" is not a useful criticism of new technology.
The ZEEP reactor - the forerunner to CANDU - produced less than 10 Watts. Two decades later, these designs produced 100s of millions of Watts.
Two decades after that, they scaled to nearly a billion Watts.
The ZEEP reactor - the forerunner to CANDU - produced less than 10 Watts. Two decades later, these designs produced 100s of millions of Watts.
Two decades after that, they scaled to nearly a billion Watts.
We're at a unique moment where supply-side innovation in drilling / reservoir creation are lining up with growing demand from electrification and AI.
Just as coal and steam engines created a virtuous cycle that spawned the industrial revolution - we could be on the cusp of something historical.
Just as coal and steam engines created a virtuous cycle that spawned the industrial revolution - we could be on the cusp of something historical.
“It is the surprising convergence of big tech’s thirst for power with big oil’s drilling innovations.”
Our “Babbage” podcast examines why geothermal energy’s time has come
Our “Babbage” podcast examines why geothermal energy’s time has come
Hotting up: the geothermal revolution
Our podcast on science and technology. We travel to America’s oil and gas heartlands to discover the innovations that are transforming geothermal energy
econ.st
November 26, 2025 at 3:27 PM
We're at a unique moment where supply-side innovation in drilling / reservoir creation are lining up with growing demand from electrification and AI.
Just as coal and steam engines created a virtuous cycle that spawned the industrial revolution - we could be on the cusp of something historical.
Just as coal and steam engines created a virtuous cycle that spawned the industrial revolution - we could be on the cusp of something historical.
One of the key concerns about fracking is induced seismicity.
So I took a look at data from Northeast BC. What I found surprised me:
Only a very small share of induced seismicity can be felt at the surface.
So I took a look at data from Northeast BC. What I found surprised me:
Only a very small share of induced seismicity can be felt at the surface.
November 26, 2025 at 2:32 PM
One of the key concerns about fracking is induced seismicity.
So I took a look at data from Northeast BC. What I found surprised me:
Only a very small share of induced seismicity can be felt at the surface.
So I took a look at data from Northeast BC. What I found surprised me:
Only a very small share of induced seismicity can be felt at the surface.
This might be the most important chart for understanding geothermal project economics.
Power increases nonlinearly with temperature, all else being equal. A ~2.5X increase in temp from 160F to 375F yields ~8X more power.
Power increases nonlinearly with temperature, all else being equal. A ~2.5X increase in temp from 160F to 375F yields ~8X more power.
November 25, 2025 at 12:24 PM
This might be the most important chart for understanding geothermal project economics.
Power increases nonlinearly with temperature, all else being equal. A ~2.5X increase in temp from 160F to 375F yields ~8X more power.
Power increases nonlinearly with temperature, all else being equal. A ~2.5X increase in temp from 160F to 375F yields ~8X more power.
Much criticism of Canada's LNG plans focuses on potential oversupply.
But markets aren't just 'first come first serve'. In the long run, it's your place on the supply curve that matters.
Looks like Canada can compete. Any other supply curves out there that see it otherwise?
But markets aren't just 'first come first serve'. In the long run, it's your place on the supply curve that matters.
Looks like Canada can compete. Any other supply curves out there that see it otherwise?
November 24, 2025 at 1:28 PM
Much criticism of Canada's LNG plans focuses on potential oversupply.
But markets aren't just 'first come first serve'. In the long run, it's your place on the supply curve that matters.
Looks like Canada can compete. Any other supply curves out there that see it otherwise?
But markets aren't just 'first come first serve'. In the long run, it's your place on the supply curve that matters.
Looks like Canada can compete. Any other supply curves out there that see it otherwise?
Deeper can be cheaper.
It might seem counter-intuitive that drilling deeper can actually lower costs for geothermal projects.
But as you reach higher temperatures, you need fewer wells to generate the same amount of power - and your surface plant gets more productive.
It might seem counter-intuitive that drilling deeper can actually lower costs for geothermal projects.
But as you reach higher temperatures, you need fewer wells to generate the same amount of power - and your surface plant gets more productive.
November 21, 2025 at 2:12 PM
Deeper can be cheaper.
It might seem counter-intuitive that drilling deeper can actually lower costs for geothermal projects.
But as you reach higher temperatures, you need fewer wells to generate the same amount of power - and your surface plant gets more productive.
It might seem counter-intuitive that drilling deeper can actually lower costs for geothermal projects.
But as you reach higher temperatures, you need fewer wells to generate the same amount of power - and your surface plant gets more productive.
What would geothermal power cost in Canada?
Local conditions have a big impact - but high temperature regions in BC and NWT are already competitive at costs of ~US$100 / MWh.
With innovation costs could fall to less than half that.
Local conditions have a big impact - but high temperature regions in BC and NWT are already competitive at costs of ~US$100 / MWh.
With innovation costs could fall to less than half that.
November 20, 2025 at 2:45 PM
What would geothermal power cost in Canada?
Local conditions have a big impact - but high temperature regions in BC and NWT are already competitive at costs of ~US$100 / MWh.
With innovation costs could fall to less than half that.
Local conditions have a big impact - but high temperature regions in BC and NWT are already competitive at costs of ~US$100 / MWh.
With innovation costs could fall to less than half that.
Reposted by Pete Massie
"Geothermal’s environmental credentials are stellar...it can provide reliable electricity around the clock."
@economist.com covers the potential of superhot rock #geothermal to meet long-term demands for zero-carbon power, with insight from CATF's Terra Rogers. www.economist.com/interactive/...
@economist.com covers the potential of superhot rock #geothermal to meet long-term demands for zero-carbon power, with insight from CATF's Terra Rogers. www.economist.com/interactive/...
November 19, 2025 at 5:06 PM
"Geothermal’s environmental credentials are stellar...it can provide reliable electricity around the clock."
@economist.com covers the potential of superhot rock #geothermal to meet long-term demands for zero-carbon power, with insight from CATF's Terra Rogers. www.economist.com/interactive/...
@economist.com covers the potential of superhot rock #geothermal to meet long-term demands for zero-carbon power, with insight from CATF's Terra Rogers. www.economist.com/interactive/...
Friendly reminder: power prices change dramatically through the day.
Alberta's electricity price is ~$25 / MWh overnight - but spikes ~40X to $800 at peak. This happens in most (if not all) markets.
This underscores the value of reliable generation and demand-side measures
Alberta's electricity price is ~$25 / MWh overnight - but spikes ~40X to $800 at peak. This happens in most (if not all) markets.
This underscores the value of reliable generation and demand-side measures
November 19, 2025 at 1:55 PM
Friendly reminder: power prices change dramatically through the day.
Alberta's electricity price is ~$25 / MWh overnight - but spikes ~40X to $800 at peak. This happens in most (if not all) markets.
This underscores the value of reliable generation and demand-side measures
Alberta's electricity price is ~$25 / MWh overnight - but spikes ~40X to $800 at peak. This happens in most (if not all) markets.
This underscores the value of reliable generation and demand-side measures
Why is geothermal power having a moment?
We're learning how to drill faster - a lot faster.
Drilling is one of the key costs - and rigs are rented by the day.
So as drilling speeds accelerate, costs fall.
Chart via @cleanaircatf.bsky.social
We're learning how to drill faster - a lot faster.
Drilling is one of the key costs - and rigs are rented by the day.
So as drilling speeds accelerate, costs fall.
Chart via @cleanaircatf.bsky.social
November 18, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Why is geothermal power having a moment?
We're learning how to drill faster - a lot faster.
Drilling is one of the key costs - and rigs are rented by the day.
So as drilling speeds accelerate, costs fall.
Chart via @cleanaircatf.bsky.social
We're learning how to drill faster - a lot faster.
Drilling is one of the key costs - and rigs are rented by the day.
So as drilling speeds accelerate, costs fall.
Chart via @cleanaircatf.bsky.social
Not to mention that geothermal costs are falling, it uses the same expertise as the existing energy industry, and provides the reliable power needed for AI and data centres.
The time for geothermal is now - and it's well overdue.
The time for geothermal is now - and it's well overdue.
Geothermal energy is essentially carbon-free, it is available at any time of day and in any weather, and it leaves a small footprint on the landscape. New approaches to harnessing it may have us on the cusp of an energy revolution. https://newyorkermag.visitlink.me/0-UeER
Why the Time Has Finally Come for Geothermal Energy
It used to be that drawing heat from deep in the Earth was practical only in geyser-filled places such as Iceland. But new approaches may have us on the cusp of an energy revolution.
newyorkermag.visitlink.me
November 17, 2025 at 10:14 PM
Not to mention that geothermal costs are falling, it uses the same expertise as the existing energy industry, and provides the reliable power needed for AI and data centres.
The time for geothermal is now - and it's well overdue.
The time for geothermal is now - and it's well overdue.
Reposted by Pete Massie
Competition between startups including Fervo Energy, Eavo and XGS Energy is hotting up. 2026 looks set to mark the start of the great geothermal renaissance
Geothermal energy looks set to go from niche to necessary
Competition between startups including Fervo Energy, Eavo and XGS Energy is hotting up. 2026 looks set to mark the start of the great geothermal renaissance
econ.st
November 13, 2025 at 12:00 PM
Competition between startups including Fervo Energy, Eavo and XGS Energy is hotting up. 2026 looks set to mark the start of the great geothermal renaissance
Reposted by Pete Massie
When it comes to geothermal energy, Canada doesn’t need to start from scratch. 👷♂️By repurposing existing industries, Canada can build a cleaner, more sustainable energy future — faster.
#GeothermalEnergy #CleanTech #CanadaEnergy #EnergyTransition #RenewableEnergy #OilAndGas
#GeothermalEnergy #CleanTech #CanadaEnergy #EnergyTransition #RenewableEnergy #OilAndGas
November 12, 2025 at 10:02 AM
When it comes to geothermal energy, Canada doesn’t need to start from scratch. 👷♂️By repurposing existing industries, Canada can build a cleaner, more sustainable energy future — faster.
#GeothermalEnergy #CleanTech #CanadaEnergy #EnergyTransition #RenewableEnergy #OilAndGas
#GeothermalEnergy #CleanTech #CanadaEnergy #EnergyTransition #RenewableEnergy #OilAndGas
Reposted by Pete Massie
🤡OIL DEMAND WILL KEEP RISING🤡
What are the IEA assumptions that make rising oil demand so improbable?
What are the IEA assumptions that make rising oil demand so improbable?
November 12, 2025 at 6:10 AM
🤡OIL DEMAND WILL KEEP RISING🤡
What are the IEA assumptions that make rising oil demand so improbable?
What are the IEA assumptions that make rising oil demand so improbable?
The only table you need from the IEA's WEO is from the STEPS Scenario
STEPS includes more realistic assumptions about how energy systems are changing - rather than assuming they pause like the Current Policy Scenario
IEA hasn't 'changed course' - STEPS and CPS show diverging roles for fossil fuels
STEPS includes more realistic assumptions about how energy systems are changing - rather than assuming they pause like the Current Policy Scenario
IEA hasn't 'changed course' - STEPS and CPS show diverging roles for fossil fuels
November 12, 2025 at 4:49 PM
The only table you need from the IEA's WEO is from the STEPS Scenario
STEPS includes more realistic assumptions about how energy systems are changing - rather than assuming they pause like the Current Policy Scenario
IEA hasn't 'changed course' - STEPS and CPS show diverging roles for fossil fuels
STEPS includes more realistic assumptions about how energy systems are changing - rather than assuming they pause like the Current Policy Scenario
IEA hasn't 'changed course' - STEPS and CPS show diverging roles for fossil fuels
The IEA's World Energy Outlook has been released - but is it credible?
This year's WEO includes a Current Policies Scenario that projects solar deployments stall at 540 GW per year - despite falling costs.
That's a red flag for me. Here's why:
This year's WEO includes a Current Policies Scenario that projects solar deployments stall at 540 GW per year - despite falling costs.
That's a red flag for me. Here's why:
November 12, 2025 at 1:13 PM
The IEA's World Energy Outlook has been released - but is it credible?
This year's WEO includes a Current Policies Scenario that projects solar deployments stall at 540 GW per year - despite falling costs.
That's a red flag for me. Here's why:
This year's WEO includes a Current Policies Scenario that projects solar deployments stall at 540 GW per year - despite falling costs.
That's a red flag for me. Here's why:
Reposted by Pete Massie
The 2025 Federal Budget signals major investments in Canada’s national power grid and clean electricity technologies — but how ready is geothermal energy to scale?
#GeothermalEnergy #CleanTech #CanadaEnergy #EnergyTransition #RenewableEnergy #ClimateAction #FederalBudget2025
#GeothermalEnergy #CleanTech #CanadaEnergy #EnergyTransition #RenewableEnergy #ClimateAction #FederalBudget2025
November 11, 2025 at 4:04 PM
The 2025 Federal Budget signals major investments in Canada’s national power grid and clean electricity technologies — but how ready is geothermal energy to scale?
#GeothermalEnergy #CleanTech #CanadaEnergy #EnergyTransition #RenewableEnergy #ClimateAction #FederalBudget2025
#GeothermalEnergy #CleanTech #CanadaEnergy #EnergyTransition #RenewableEnergy #ClimateAction #FederalBudget2025
Hopefully now people will stop intentionally ramming my car
November 6, 2025 at 1:35 PM
Hopefully now people will stop intentionally ramming my car
As renewable capacity surges, it's encouraging to see deployments of geothermal power are expected to hit 1.5 GW in 2030 - 3X 2024.
Will be interesting to see how advances in next-generation geotherm changes the trajectory of deployments post 2030.
Will be interesting to see how advances in next-generation geotherm changes the trajectory of deployments post 2030.
Explore our Renewables 2025 report 👇
Executive summary → iea.li/431yZTh
Electricity → iea.li/3JtrYEb
Transport → iea.li/4qybZ8z
Heat → iea.li/433AQa6
Executive summary → iea.li/431yZTh
Electricity → iea.li/3JtrYEb
Transport → iea.li/4qybZ8z
Heat → iea.li/433AQa6
November 4, 2025 at 1:18 PM
As renewable capacity surges, it's encouraging to see deployments of geothermal power are expected to hit 1.5 GW in 2030 - 3X 2024.
Will be interesting to see how advances in next-generation geotherm changes the trajectory of deployments post 2030.
Will be interesting to see how advances in next-generation geotherm changes the trajectory of deployments post 2030.
Negative prices are a challenge.
But we shouldn't let that cloud our view what's really happening in warmer regions:
Solar his transforming peak power from a commodity defined by scarcity to one defined by abundance.
That's a good thing.
But we shouldn't let that cloud our view what's really happening in warmer regions:
Solar his transforming peak power from a commodity defined by scarcity to one defined by abundance.
That's a good thing.
Absolutely amazing: they've got so much solar in Australia that they need more people to use more of it, so the gov't has instructed energy retailers to offer *at least three hours of free power* during the middle of the day.
Meanwhile fossil-addled US struggles with an energy-price crisis ...
Meanwhile fossil-addled US struggles with an energy-price crisis ...
Energy retailers to be directed to offer free power three hours a day
Saying there is enough solar power for everyone in the daytime, Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen will direct retailers to provide three hours of free power every day to consumers.
www.abc.net.au
November 3, 2025 at 8:52 PM
Negative prices are a challenge.
But we shouldn't let that cloud our view what's really happening in warmer regions:
Solar his transforming peak power from a commodity defined by scarcity to one defined by abundance.
That's a good thing.
But we shouldn't let that cloud our view what's really happening in warmer regions:
Solar his transforming peak power from a commodity defined by scarcity to one defined by abundance.
That's a good thing.
@scottluft.bsky.social do you have thoughts on the costs for the SMR pilot?
I haven't followed Ontario as closely as I would've liked - very curious about how you see the project's value
I haven't followed Ontario as closely as I would've liked - very curious about how you see the project's value
November 3, 2025 at 4:38 PM
@scottluft.bsky.social do you have thoughts on the costs for the SMR pilot?
I haven't followed Ontario as closely as I would've liked - very curious about how you see the project's value
I haven't followed Ontario as closely as I would've liked - very curious about how you see the project's value
Jays tickets don't seem so expensive when you realize it means not depending on Sportsnet
November 2, 2025 at 2:37 AM
Jays tickets don't seem so expensive when you realize it means not depending on Sportsnet