Evaluation of the Geothermal Potential of Iqaluit Ysaline Bacon1, Xavier Leveillee Dallaire1, and Pr. Jasmin Raymond11 Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique (INRS), Québec, Canada The project evaluates the geothermal potential of Iqaluit, Nunavut, to support decarbonization and energy autonomy for northern communities. Context and justification: northern settlements are heavily dependent on imported diesel for heat and power, resulting in high costs, logistical vulnerability and negative environmental impacts. Territorial knowledge gaps (particularly limited data on geothermal gradients, subsurface thermal properties and fracture‑network characteristics) have hindered reliable design and risk assessment for both shallow ground‑source heat pumps (GSHPs) and deeper enhanced geothermal systems (EGS). There is also strategic interest from the Department of National Defence in decarbonizing northern operations; consequently, site selection prioritizes locations that could serve both civilian energy needs (residential and commercial heating, potential electricity) and military resilience. Two technological pathways are targeted: GSHPs for space heating and EGS - using fractured deep reservoirs - aimed at heat extraction and electricity generation.Short‑term objectives (2025–2026) concentrate on targeted field acquisition. This summer campaign within a 10‑km radius of Iqaluit will collect 20–30 representative surface rock samples across crystalline basement, sedimentary sequences and surficial/fractured units to obtain thermal conductivity, volumetric heat capacity and density. Systematic scanline fracture surveys on outcrops will document fracture orientation, spacing, aperture and connectivity to parameterize permeability and potential fluid pathways relevant to EGS screening. Prior to and during fieldwork the team will engage local and Indigenous organizations to co‑design culturally appropriate protocols, communicate objectives, and incorporate community priorities into site selection and dissemination plans. All field activities will be non‑invasive (surface sampling and observational mapping) and avoid collection of sensitive Indigenous knowledge.Long‑term objectives (2026–2030) aim to expand regional understanding and produce decision‑ready analyses for potential pilot deployments. Laboratory measurements will feed into numerical models to estimate local geothermal gradients, predict thermal responses for GSHP systems accounting for permafrost and latent‑heat effects, and simulate reservoir behaviour for candidate EGS targets including uncertainty quantification. Techno‑economic assessments will determine levelized cost of heat and electricity, lifecycle performance, logistical constraints for Arctic deployment, risk allocation for exploratory drilling, and staged implementation scenarios (e.g., GSHP demonstrators preceding exploratory wells). Outputs will explicitly compare geothermal options with diesel baselines to inform community and defence stakeholders.Data management and dissemination emphasize transparency, accessibility and local relevance. Validated datasets (thermal property measurements, fracture characterizations, analytical calculations, modelling outputs and non‑sensitive imagery) Chaire de recherche du Canada sur l’analyse des systèmes géoénergétiques durables will be archived at INRS and, following validation and peer review, deposited in Borealis and the Northern Geothermal Database to support reuse across northern Canada. Anticipated outputs include doctoral theses, peer‑reviewed articles, conference presentations and plain‑language materials for community briefings. Knowledge mobilization will prioritize iterative feedback sessions, visual materials and locally appropriate communication channels.The project commits to culturally respectful engagement, environmental safeguards for sampling and site visits, and long‑term availability as a technical resource for communities and decision‑makers. By closing critical data gaps and producing transparent, locally relevant assessments, the project aims to enable informed pathways for geothermal pilot projects that advance low‑carbon, resilient energy systems for Iqaluit and other northern communities.