Energi Simulation’s $1.025M investment supports the GeoSAFETY program, advancing safe, sustainable subsurface energy research, strengthening collaboration and reinforcing Canada’s leadership in net-zero energy solutions.
The University of Alberta has received a five-year $1.025 million investment from Energi Simulation—$800,000 in new support and $225,000 from an existing Energi Simulation Endowment. The funding will support Rick Chalaturnyk, holder of the Energi Simulation Research Chair in Subsurface Energy Geomechanics and expand the GeoSAFETY (Geoscience for Subsurface Assurance oF Energy TechnologYs) program.
GeoSAFETY is an initiative focused on the safe, sustainable use of subsurface pore space for carbon capture and storage (CCS), geothermal energy, hydrogen storage and other next-generation net-zero energy technologies. By combining global research leadership with local collaboration, the program develops knowledge and solutions that protect land, water, and communities while positioning Canada as a trusted leader in the global net-zero energy landscape.
Canadian Innovation, Global Application
GeoSAFETY, through our project partner PTRC Sustainable Energy, has unique access to the world-class dataset of the Aquistore Project, providing an unparalleled opportunity to convert real, operational data into actionable subsurface knowledge that offers valuable insights for informed decision-making amidst uncertainty. GeoSAFETY will advance subsurface assurance technology from the laboratory to practical application while training the next generation of subsurface engineers and scientists and ensuring that new knowledge reflects both scientific excellence and community perspectives.
GeoSAFETY is focused on three central objectives developed in close collaboration with our research collaborators and industry partners:
Improve our understanding of the complex coupled effects induced by fluid injection/production in geological formations.
Develop uncertainty quantification frameworks capable of establishing value-of-information criteria for geomodeling and simulation of subsurface processes.
Integrate laboratory findings into field-scale applications by leveraging data from operational projects such as Aquistore.
Together, these efforts enhance environmental safety, strengthen public trust, and accelerate the deployment of reliable net-zero energy solutions worldwide.
Duke Anderson, President and CEO, Energi Simulation
“Dr. Chalaturnyk’s work bridges advanced modelling with real-world deployment, ensuring environmental integrity, public safety, and industry-ready net-zero energy solutions. At Energi Simulation, we believe that bold ideas in subsurface energy research are key to unlocking the global energy additions needed for a sustainable future. Dr. Chalaturnyk has consistently demonstrated the kind of leadership and innovation that drive real-world impact. This investment ensures that his work will continue to deliver solutions in unconventional resource recovery, CCS, geothermal and hydrogen storage—technologies that are critical for achieving net-zero.”
Samer Adeeb, Chair – Civil & Environmental Engineering and School of Mining and Petroleum Engineering, University of Alberta
“The University of Alberta is proud to partner with Energi Simulation in advancing net-zero energy innovation. This investment not only fuels world-class research but also creates opportunities for students and collaborators to tackle some of the most pressing challenges of our time. Together, we are building the knowledge and technologies that will power a sustainable future.”
Rick Chalaturnyk, Professor, Geotechnical Engineering, Energi Simulation Research Chair in Subsurface Energy
“GeoSAFETY opens new horizons for our students, research partners, and industry collaborators. By combining real-world data with advanced physical and numerical modeling while intentionally weaving Indigenous knowledge into our understanding of the subsurface, we’re creating a foundation for safe, sustainable subsurface energy systems that will guide the next generation of clean energy innovation.”
About Energi Simulation
Founded in 1978, Energi Simulation promotes and financially supports research and graduate students through research grants at universities. Our mandate is to invest in leading edge research and innovation in energy resource modelling. Energi Simulation partners with universities, governments, and industry sponsors to drive unique multi-year support of student education and world leading researchers at universities, in Europe, North America, South America, and Asia-Pacific region. Energi Simulation is a not-for-profit company registered in the province of Alberta, Canada.
About the University of Alberta
The University of Alberta exists to inspire and ignite the human spirit in pursuit of a better tomorrow. Its work is rooted in a commitment to creating a university community where everyone feels valued, barriers to success are removed, and thriving connections are fostered while honouring Indigenous identities, languages, cultures and world views. As one of the world’s top 100 teaching and research universities, the U of A ranks among the Top 4 in Canada, providing a $19.4 billion annual economic impact in Alberta alone. The U of A seeks to challenge, to change and to always be Leading with Purpose.
More than 46,000 students and 14,000 staff shape the U of A, with outstanding achievements in learning, research, creativity, innovation and engagement across five campuses — including one rural and one francophone. The U of A attracts top talent in rigorous undergraduate, graduate and professional programs in 17 faculties across three colleges and more than $621 million in sponsored research revenue. The U of A has more than 340,000 alumni worldwide, with alumni-founded companies generating more than $250 billion in annual revenue.
The Faculty of Engineering leads bold initiatives like the GeoSAFETY program, which applies cutting-edge subsurface geomechanics research to develop safe, sustainable, and globally relevant energy solutions while seeking collaboration with Indigenous communities and training the next generation of innovators.
Reservoir Geomechanics Research Group Media Contact:
Hope Walls
Research Administration, Reservoir Geomechanics Research Group
hwalls@ualberta.ca
780.492.3953