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Company Details
Name
Terrapin Geothermics Inc. (Terrapin)
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2016
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Based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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Privately-owned
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Terrapin Geothermics Inc. (Terrapin) is a project developer focused on emission-free energy projects to help industry thrive in a net-zero world. Terrapin specializes in generating clean, baseload electricity and heat from industrial waste heat and deep geothermal resources. Utilizing its unique project development model across a diverse range of industries, Terrapin brings together the key players needed to identify, conceptualize, finance, design, construct, and operate its Heat to Value projects. Terrapin is industry agnostic, but primarily operates in the oil and gas sector to support energy leaders’ decarbonization efforts.
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LinkedIn: Terrapin Geothermics
Twitter: @terrapingeo
Social
Summary
Location
Founded
Ownership
Speaker Biographies
Stean Smith
Managing Partner, Terrapin
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With over 30 years of experience in developing and operating profitable businesses, Stean focuses on improving Terrapin's organizational processes and oversees Terrapin’s branding and promotional activity. Stean also sits on the Board of Directors for the Alberta No. 1 geothermal project.
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Speaking Topics: Terrapin statements
Dr. Catherine Hickson, P.Geo
CEO, Alberta No. 1
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Dr. Catherine Hickson is the CEO and Technical Director of Alberta No. 1. A globally respected geothermal resource development expert and an active agent of change, Dr. Hickson spent 25 years as a research scientist at the Geological Survey of Canada before pursuing a role in the private sector. As the VP Exploration and Chief Geoscientist at Magma Energy Corporation (later to become Alterra Power Corporation), she led greenfield exploration in eight countries, including the discovery of over 300 MW (inferred) of new geothermal resources. Dr. Hickson now finds herself in the role of “senior disrupter” in Alberta’s renewable energy space. Dr. Hickson is currently the Vice President of Geothermal Canada, an organization founded in 1974 to assist Canadians and Canadian companies in the development of geothermal resources nationally and globally.
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Speaking Topics: Alberta No. 1 progress, Alberta’s geothermal industry, Canada’s geothermal industry, global geothermal development, sedimentary basins
Marc Colombina
VP of Operations, Terrapin
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Marc oversees the management, logistics, and procurement for Terrapin’s projects, including the Alberta No. 1 geothermal project. Internally focused on operational excellence and the development of its internal processes, Marc ensures activities are aligned with the vision, commitments, and goals of the organization. Beyond project and resource management, Marc maintains Terrapin’s relationships with various government bodies, granting and tax credit organizations, and academic institutions, and assists with lobbying and policy development. Marc came to Terrapin as its second staff member after a career in supply chain and logistics, where he was looking to put his project management and organizational skills to work and help make the energy transition a reality. When not spending time with his wife and two young daughters, Marc enjoys the outdoors and the study of history.
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Speaking Topics: Alberta No. 1 operations, ESG, policy, upskilling for geothermal, workforce transition/labour market research for clean tech
Gray Alton
VP of Project Development, Terrapin
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Gray leads Terrapin’s geographical expansion across Canada and internationally. With 16 years of construction and project development experience, Gray scouts project opportunities and brings together all stakeholders required to conceptualize, develop, and finance waste heat and geothermal power projects.
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Prior to Terrapin, Gray has helped deliver over $500 million CAD worth of construction projects with Clark Builders, CGT Industrial, Willowridge Construction Ltd and others. Having worked primarily in oil and gas industry, his practical field and management experience with these organizations enables him to lead the development of waste heat and geothermal projects at Terrapin and generate value for clients.
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Speaking Topics: ESG, cleantech, innovation, alternative energy, energy transition, waste heat recovery
Media FAQ
Is Terrapin a geothermal company or a waste heat company?
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Terrapin specializes in converting Heat to Value. Though geothermal energy comes from underground, and waste heat is found in industrial operations, the process of converting these resources into a profitable form is the same. Depending on the temperature of the resource, the heat can be converted to emission-free power through an Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) system or used directly as heat for internal processes or district heating networks.
Terrapin projects can produce emission-free heat and power, environmental attributes, and ESG stories for the energy industry. Because Terrapin’s business is in unlocking the inherent value of heat, Terrapin refers to itself as a Heat to Value company.
What is Alberta No. 1?
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Alberta No. 1 is the province’s first conventional geothermal heat and power facility and Terrapin’s signature energy project. Located in the Municipal District of Greenview, Alberta No. 1 is proudly being built in Alberta by Albertans.
The project will consist of a wellfield, a binary cycle electrical generation plant, and district heat use infrastructure. Estimated to be completed in Q2 of 2025, Alberta No. 1 will produce 83,220 MWh of clean, constant power and 985 terajoules of clean, constant heat per year.
Alberta No. 1 is partially funded by Natural Resources Canada as part of their Emerging Renewable Power Program.
For more information about Alberta No. 1, please visit albertano1.ca.
What makes Terrapin projects so innovative?
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Terrapin’s turnkey project development model takes projects from origination through to completion at no cost to the client. Leveraging Terrapin’s network of engineering, construction, and financing partners, Terrapin clients receive a customized energy solution that reduces their carbon intensity in an economic way. This is opposed to the traditional method of energy or efficiency investments, which requires the client to scope, manage, and pay for the project themselves.
Terrapin transforms waste heat recovery into an innovative clean energy play for independent power producers. Waste heat recovery is traditionally deployed in the energy industry as an internal efficiency measure. When waste heat recovery is strategically implemented by the right team of developers, technology providers, and financiers, waste heat can become a significant source of independent revenue for developers and clients.