world's largest geothermal lagoon to be built in canada

world’s largest geothermal lagoon

Quebec-based company geoLagon, which specializes in the sale of short-term rental chalets, intends to build the world’s largest geothermal lagoon in Charlevoix, Canada. Drawing from the famed Blue Lagoon in Iceland, the open-air lagoon will feature a patent-pending thermal reservoir heating system that will keep the waters at 39 °C (102 °F) all year long, providing shelter from the area’s temperatures that plunge below zero (32 °F) in the wintertime. The project will cover 12,000 sqm (130,000 sqft) and will include hundreds of chalets to create a totally self-sufficient village.

the world’s largest geothermal lagoon will be built in the region of Charlevoix, Canada

all images courtesy of geoLagon

SELF-SUFFICIENCY BACKED BY SCIENCE

A study carried out by Canadian sustainable energy firm Akonovia has confirmed that the geoLagon project will be completely self-sufficient. A vast thermal reservoir will sit under the lagoon’s base, powered by an energy ecosystem comprised of geothermal, biomass, photovoltaics, and sun heating technologies, the patent for which is now pending. The photovoltaic coating on the chalets will absorb solar energy to help power the heat pumps. In comparison to other developments, the geoLagon village plans to reduce its groundwater consumption by 90 to 95% thanks to a rainwater recovery and filtering system. With other technology such as sewer heat recovery, the geoLagon community might also eventually become an energy generator.

‘Quebec is in pole position to demonstrate to the world that self-sufficiency in renewable energy is a real business option, particularly in the tourism industry,’ shares Louis Massicotte, owner and CEO of the Quebec-based firm. ‘I invite citizens and community stakeholders in each region to support us in our projects to speed up the process and quickly achieve this world first with a first geoLAGON village. I humbly wish that geoLAGON becomes a point of pride for each of us.’ he adds.

a patent-pending thermal reservoir heating system that will keep the waters warm all year long

construction expected to start in march 2023

Once the project is completed, clusters of chalets will encircle the lagoon, using photovoltaic cladding to harness solar energy and assist the water heat pumps. These cottages will be for sale and can be used to live at the lagoon or rented out to tourists for vacations. Visitors to the location will have access to art galleries, ski resorts, golf facilities, dining, and whale-watching experiences in addition to the lagoon’s water.

The project is divided into three parts, with the first being the construction of 150 solar-powered chalets, followed by the lagoon as the second stage, and finally the remaining 150 dwelling units. After Charlevoix, geoLagoon has plans for three more such lagoons at Laurentides, Lanaudière, and the Eastern Townships. Construction at the First site is expected to begin in March 2023.

clusters of chalets will encircle the lagoon, using photovoltaic cladding to harness solar energy