Things are about to heat up in New Brunswick's geothermal energy space.
The University of New Brunswick's (UNB) Fredericton campus will be the site of the 6th Annual Canadian Geothermal Students Days (CGSD) conference from August 28 to 30. This is the first time it has been hosted in Atlantic Canada.
Joseph DeLuca (BSc'25), a UNB earth sciences graduate and a lead organizer, said the conference reflects the growing interest in geothermal energy across disciplines and regions.
"This year, we are for the first time dedicating an equal amount of time to multidisciplinary discussions as to strictly technical sessions, and we've also deliberately platformed Indigenous voices," he said.
Indigenous representatives, students, researchers and industry professionals will explore the future of geothermal energy in Canada.
The event will be held at the Forestry & Geology Building, chosen for its flexible layout and proximity to the Quartermain Earth Science Centre, which will be open to attendees.
The CGSD began in 2019 as a small gathering of graduate students at the Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS) in Quebec. Since then, it has expanded to include undergraduate students, professors, industry representatives and government officials.
DeLuca first attended the conference in 2024, where he presented research he had conducted at UNB on geothermal gradients in southeastern New Brunswick. His research led him to believe that there might be more geothermal energy potential in the province than previous research had indicated.
The experience, combined with encouragement from peers and mentors, motivated him to bring the event east. DeLuca said Atlantic Canada has been underrepresented in discussions about geothermal energy.
"We've never really been properly represented at this conference," he said. "It's unfortunate these national energy conversations often end in Quebec."
With this in mind, he approached last year's chair and asked to host the next edition.
The conference will include a mix of technical and multidisciplinary presentations, with topics ranging from deep and shallow geothermal heat exchange systems to energy sovereignty in remote communities.
One of the highlights will be talks on Indigenous-led decarbonization by members of the Tu Deh-Kah Geothermal project in Fort Nelson, B.C., who will speak about converting a former gas field into a geothermal energy source for their community.
Other Indigenous participants include University of Maine PhD student Jasmine Lamb and engineer Dylan MacLennan, the CEO and founder of L'nu Energy, a Mi'kmaw-owned firm in P.E.I.
"It's not that [Indigenous voices] weren't invited to past conferences. There just wasn't a deliberate campaign to involve the Indigenous perspective from the beginning, which is something we're trying to do differently this year," DeLuca said.
The event will feature a panel discussion with representatives from Indigenous communities, government, industry and academia. Organizers have designed the format to be informal and interactive, allowing students to engage directly with professionals and explore career paths in geothermal energy.
Attendees can also expect talks on paired systems (such as geothermal energy combined with wind or solar energy) as well as Arctic and sub-Arctic applications and supporting presentations on topics including thermal conductivity and reservoir permeability.
DeLuca emphasized that the conference is open to all disciplines and has actively reached out to departments beyond science and engineering. Posters were sent to departments and faculties, such as sociology, biology and law, to highlight how their fields intersect with geothermal energy.
"We need sociologists to investigate how people feel about geothermal energy," he said. "We need law students to understand how Canada legally defines a geothermal resource."
The experiential component of the conference on August 28 will include a field trip via chartered bus to the UNB Saint John campus to tour the geothermally heated Barry and Flora Beckett Residence, followed by a cultural stop at the AREA 506 Waterfront Container Village and a visit to four geologically significant Stonehammer UNESCO Global Geopark sites, with interpretations from New Brunswick geoscientist, Catrina Russell (BSc'10). The goal is to encourage connections among attendees before formal sessions begin.
DeLuca said the conference will avoid rigid scheduling. Talks will be interspersed with networking breaks, team-based activities and a mentorship panel.
Student presenters will be eligible for prizes, with feedback provided by a panel of judges.
DeLuca said that travel bursaries play a crucial role in facilitating student participation from across Canada.
"The vast majority of our Indigenous and student speakers would not be able to come here if it weren't for some level of financial support," he said.
The organizing team is still actively seeking additional sponsors. Contributions of any size are welcome, from covering a student's travel costs to supporting a coffee break or networking session. They are also still accepting abstracts for a limited number of presentation slots.
Organizers plan a post-conference digital magazine and newsletter to help build a lasting network among attendees and supporters.
DeLuca hopes the event will spark long-term interest in geothermal energy at UNB and in Atlantic Canada.
Despite the challenges of organizing the event, DeLuca said the response has been overwhelmingly positive.
"We are benefiting from the fact that geothermal energy is a relatively small subject in Canada," he said. "There's always a lot of passion and excitement just because everybody's here and we're all interested in the same thing."
He hopes attendees leave with a sense of possibility.
"I want students to realize this is a huge field, and there are a lot of connections for them, if they're interested," he said.
DeLuca said the experience of organizing the event has been demanding but rewarding.
"There's no shoulders of giants' to stand on in geothermal in Atlantic Canada," he said.
"We are the giants."
To become a sponsor or to get involved contact Joseph DeLuca at j.deluca@unb.ca or through the event website.
