2024

Novus Earth has an agreement with a customer to build greenhouses at the site, with geothermal energy and heat providing predictable operational costs.

In November 2024, Novus Earth signed a letter of intent with E2E Energy Solutions to jointly develop the Latitude 53 Hinton Inc project. Construction is expected to begin in early 2025 on the phased project.

The first phase will focus on utilizing geothermal energy to support year-round strawberry cultivation in a 20-acre greenhouse. The facility will receive up to 50 gigajoules of sustainable, consistent heat per hour, provided by E2E's geothermal technology. The second phase will incorporate E2E’s patented Enhanced Geothermal Reservoir Recovery System (EGRRS) to generate 10 MW of zero-emission power, proving the feasibility of geothermal technology as a reliable energy source.

June 2022

In June 2022, Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources, announced a $5 million investment in Novus Earth to execute a front-end engineering design (FEED) study for the Latitude 53 geothermal energy project in the community of Hinton, Alberta.

Funding provided for the Latitude 53 Project will assist Novus Earth in its continued exploration of the geothermal resource and will provide critical resources to advance the project. Specifically, the funds will assist in de-risking the project through technical feasibility and FEED studies, as well as through supporting community engagement and skilled training initiatives essential to the success of the project.

The socio-economic benefits to Hinton and the surrounding Indigenous communities include skill development, educational and curriculum opportunities, long-term employment and enhanced equality, diversity and inclusion.

Novus Earth and Mitacs National Research Organization are also contributing to the project, bringing the total investment to nearly $6.6 million.

March 2022

In early 2022, the Town of Hinton was approached by Novus Earth, an Alberta-based renewable energy company with a proposed project to develop a 400,000sqft vertical farming facility, heated by geothermal energy, in Hinton.

This innovative project aims to bring together closed-loop geothermal technology and state-of-the-art aquaponics to grow organic, highly nutritious, and affordable local produce and seafood. The project also intends to provide a sustainable source of heat for community buildings.
An Open House about the proposed project was held by Novus Earth on March 16, 2022 at the Hinton Centre, with presentations by Novus representatives and opportunities for the community to ask questions.
More information on Novus Earth's proposed project can be found on their website here.

November 2018

At the November 20, 2018 Regular Council Meeting, Epoch Energy presented the findings of the FEED report to Council. The report concluded that due to unexpected localized geological formations in Hinton and a lack of suitable or available existing wells, a geothermal supplied district energy system (DES) as originally scoped would not be feasible. View the full FEED Report Here 

February 2018

On February 6, 2018, Western Economic Diversification Canada, Government of Alberta and Alberta Innovates together announced a ground-breaking cross-governmental partnership to invest $1.2 million to determine the viability of a Geothermal District Energy System in Hinton. 

See the full release, here.

The FEED Study began in Quarter 1 of 2018 with results expected in Quarter 3. Results from the FEED study would help Hinton determine which infrastructure could be connected to the geothermal district heating system, should it proceed. They could include schools, government buildings, the hospital, community centres and the seniors centre.

February 2017

On February 7, 2017, Representatives from Epoch Energy presented an update to Hinton Town Council on the progress and plans for the geothermal study. You can find the full presentation here.

The Town of Hinton announced a partnership with Epoch Energy to advance Hinton Geothermal; an innovative district energy heating system leveraging heat energy from deep reservoirs in the Hinton area as well as a future goal of geothermal power generation. Hinton’s location is central to oil and gas exploration, well bore infrastructure and the requisite geology to be repurposed for geothermal energy. View the announcement here.

October 2016

On October 12, 2016, Hinton Town Council directed Administration to provide $225,000 from the Automated Traffic Enforcement reserve to fund the Pre-FEED study to determine the feasibility of the Hinton Geothermal District Energy Project. The feasibility study would provide Hinton Town Council with important information and analysis including options, risks and opportunities with financial implications of the Hinton Geothermal District Energy Project. It would be a key resource in support of grant funding applications from the Provincial and Federal Governments. Learn more about the Pre-FEED study here.

September 2016

On September 6, 2016, Dr. Jonathan Banks returned to Hinton to present preliminary findings of capacity and potential of the Devonian Basin. His presentation, including heat mapping and regional information is available in the meetings agenda available here.

August 2015

In August 2015, a letter of intent was signed representing a $25,000 contribution to evaluate geothermal potential. Hinton was not alone in this initial investment. County of Grande Prairie and MD of Greenview also committed to investigate the potential of this developing opportunity. The data that was acquired looked promising. View the meeting minutes here. 

June 2015

On the June 23, 2015, Dr. Jonathan Banks of the University of Alberta delivered a presentation to then Mayor Rob Mackin and Hinton Town Council 2013 to 2017. Dr. Banks introduced geothermal energy and resources and described why he believed Hinton had the potential to turn heat from beneath the earth’s surface into energy. Read more in the meeting minutes available here.