| Title | Numerical Quantification of the Geothermal Energy potential of Mount Meager volcanic complex, Garibaldi volcanic region, British Columbia, Canada |
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| Authors | Decoudun, S., Renaud, T., Popineau J., Tonkin, R., Dekkers K., Nagoro B., Gravatt, M., Riffault, J., O’Sullivan, J., O’Sullivan, M. |
| Year | 2026 |
| Conference | World Geothermal Congress |
| Keywords | |
| Abstract | The Mount Meager Geothermal Field is located in the Garibaldi volcanic Belt in British Columbia, Canada. The area has been extensively explored with promising features for geothermal potential site. This study focuses on assessing its resource capacity as a green field using reservoir numerical simulation through uncertainty analysis and a natural state model. Despite a limited amount of subsurface exploration data, three-dimensional (3D) digital conceptual model of the Mount Meager volcanic complex field was developed using public data and reports, integrating geological, geophysical, geochemical, structural information and interpretations, groundwater analysis and spatial datasets. A reservoir model was designed and the geothermal simulator Waiwera was used to simulate the subsurface contexts by refining permeability parameters and simulating deep geothermal upflow to replicate the conceptual model understanding and field deep measurements. High-performance computing enabled thousands of alternative model simulations, which were conditioned against sparse field data, particularly temperatures beneath the altered zones and the temperature downhole surveys. The simulation results used Approximate Bayesian Computation (ABC) to generate probabilistic estimates for heat or power potential over a 25-year period. This methodology and study enhance the understanding of Mount Meager volcanic geothermal system, improves estimations of energy potential and highlights the uncertainty on zones for early explored fields. Applying early reservoir numerical model provides valuable insights for strategic planning and the development of renewable energy resources and improve resource assessment to increase geothermal exploration and optimization efforts. |