A Systems-Level Framework for Integrating Geothermal Energy, AI Data Centres, Underground Infrastructure, and Vertical Hydroponics in Alberta

This paper contributes to the geothermal and renewable energy literature by introducing an integrated conceptual framework that combines commercially demonstrated technologies (geothermal baseload, waste-heat cascading, vertical hydroponics) into a vertically stacked ecosystem tailored to Alberta's geology, climate, and industrial landscape. It fills a gap in existing research by demonstrating how geothermal can serve as a foundational resource for co-located data centres and agriculture, potentially offsetting drilling costs through premium power agreements and repurposing >500,000 orphaned wells—offering a practical pathway to resilient, low-carbon infrastructure in energy-transition contexts.