Abstract
The development of renewable energy sources, including geothermal energy, causes that more and more attention should be devoted to their environmental impact in a holistic approach. Currently, the impact of geothermal installations on the environment is analyzed in the context of emissions of pollutants into the atmosphere at the operational stage. Additionally, sustainable development and creating a responsible energy mix requires the use of tools that will provide precise information about the effectiveness of the proposed technological solutions and their impact on the environment. The LCA lifecycle assessment can be such a tool. The complexity of the investment process, which is the construction of a heating plant, a combined heat and power plant or power plant based on geothermal energy, results mainly from changing geological, topographical and environmental conditions. In such a case, the precise determination of the methodology and the definition of impact categories are crucial. The article is a review of the applied methodologies in the world, taking into account impact categories and databases used in conducting the LCA in the geothermal energy sector.
Highlights
Sustainable development that respects the environment, requires a responsible approach to creating an optimal energy mix
In terms of emission of combustion products into the atmosphere, this is a correct approach, but in order to determine the real impact on the environment, the proper way is the implementation of life cycle assessment (LCA) to geothermal energy sector
Life cycle assessment is a standardized method of conduct for the analysis of environmental hazards associated with the product/process throughout its lifetime
Summary
Sustainable development that respects the environment, requires a responsible approach to creating an optimal energy mix. Natural elements of that mix are currently renewable energy sources which percentage share in energy production is systematically increasing. There is a situation where a wider view of renewable energy sources and its impact on the environment becomes a necessity. Geothermal energy, being a renewable energy source, is perceived as almost completely emission-free during working time [1]. In terms of emission of combustion products into the atmosphere, this is a correct approach, but in order to determine the real impact on the environment, the proper way is the implementation of life cycle assessment (LCA) to geothermal energy sector. The main categories (Fig. 1) that need to be defined at the stage of lifecycle assessment include land use, geological threats, emissions to the atmosphere, emissions to water,. The scale of the undertaking which is the life cycle assessment, taking into account the above information, requires a great interdisciplinary and consideration of each case in an individual and as precise a manner as possible
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