State-of-the-art thermal model will provide a nationwide view of subsurface heat to accelerate Canada’s clean energy goals
CALGARY, Canada, 8 June 2026 – Seequent, The Bentley Subsurface Company, and the Cascade Institute today announced a collaboration to develop a Canadian Thermal Model. This landmark national initiative will reveal Canada’s deep geothermal resources and accelerate the development of renewable energy. The announcement comes on the opening day of the world’s biggest geothermal event, the World Geothermal Congress, being held in Calgary from 8 to 11 June.
As investment in geothermal energy surges globally as a reliable, always-on clean power source, the Canadian Thermal Model will create a comprehensive national view of deep heat resources using novel machine learning methods to address a long-standing challenge for the sector: limited subsurface data coverage. Seequent is providing access to its world-leading geophysics software to accelerate research into the Earth’s subsurface.
This initiative advances knowledge of Canada’s geothermal energy reserves by integrating geologic and geophysical datasets into InterPIGNN machine learning algorithm for deep heat modelling. By improving confidence in where geothermal resources are located, the model provides a critical foundation to inform investment, policy planning, and project development nationwide.
Caption: The Canadian Thermal Model will integrate over 20 input layers of geoscientific data related to geothermal energy to evaluate Canada’s nation-wide, deep heat resources.
“Canada has a significant opportunity to advance geothermal when the need for reliable, always-on clean energy has never been greater,” said Jeremy O’Brien, Energy Segment Director, Seequent. “Realizing that potential starts with greater subsurface certainty and making data accessible to key stakeholders. Combining this access with best-in-class geophysics enables more accurate mapping of heat at depth. The Canadian Thermal Model brings these elements together to create a national view of deep geothermal resources, helping to reduce risk, guide investment, and accelerate development.”
The Cascade Institute, a think tank at Royal Roads University focused on high-impact interventions to address humanity’s deepest problems, will lead the project through its Deep Geothermal program. Cascade Institute specialists, working with a team of geoscientists and research partners, including Simon Fraser University, 400C Energy, and the Geological Survey of Canada Pacific Division, the Institute will develop the model using data integration workflows supported by Seequent’s Oasis montaj geophysics software. Seequent’s technology will process and visualize the data required to inform energy markets on resource availability and development costs.
“Canada has world-class subsurface expertise and a growing opportunity to lead in geothermal,” said Thomas Homer-Dixon, Executive Director of the Cascade Institute. “This project will provide a foundational resource to demonstrate the technical and economic viability of geothermal energy at scale.”
The Canadian Thermal Model reflects a broader industry shift toward data-driven geothermal development, including next-generation technologies and national-scale resource assessment. It also underscores the growing importance of partnerships between research institutions, technology providers, and the wider energy sector to scale geothermal from opportunity to infrastructure.
Caption: Jeremy O’Brien, Segment Director, Energy, Seequent
Seequent supports more than 60% of the world’s geothermal power generation, with experience spanning next-generation projects such as Fervo Energy’s Cape Station in Utah, and long-established operations including Ormat’s global footprint, reflecting deep expertise that drives the sector forward.
Today, Seequent and the Cascade Institute will present The Next Frontier: Exploring the Potential of Canada’s Deep Geothermal Resources at the World Geothermal Congress. The interactive discussion, hosted at the Seequent booth, will provide an in-depth examination of the technical challenges and opportunities associated with deep geothermal systems.
About Seequent
Seequent, The Bentley Subsurface Company, helps organisations to understand the underground, giving them the confidence to make better decisions faster. Seequent builds world-leading technology that is at the forefront of Earth sciences, transforming the way our customers work. Every day we help them develop critical mineral resources more sustainably, design and build better infrastructure, source renewable energy, and reduce their impact on the environment.
Seequent operates in 150+ countries while proudly maintaining headquarters in New Zealand.
About the Cascade Institute
The Cascade Institute uses complexity science to design workable interventions to humanity’s most pressing problems. Cascade researchers identified geothermal energy as a key component of a future-fit global energy system, and assembled an Ultradeep Geothermal team focused on aligning technology, policy, and finance to accelerate geothermal deployment, starting in Canada and scaling globally.
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Press Contact:
Dina Zaid, [email protected], Senior External Communications Advisor, Seequent
Colin Hunter, [email protected], Communications Lead, Cascade Institute