Rising fuel prices, changes in energy markets, and concern for the environment make it necessary to develop new solutions and technologies. The development of new technologies brings with it the need to take risks associated with unpredictable consequences, technological immaturity, and other issues. However, without these elements, technological development is not possible. In this study, installations related to two different technologies—Enhanced Geothermal System (EGS) and Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS)—are reviewed. An Enhanced Geothermal System is a technology for exploiting the energy stored in hot dry rocks. Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage is an important technology for reducing CO₂ emissions. The combination of these two technologies in CO₂–EGS systems can bring significant environmental benefits. This paper reviews the most important CCUS and EGS systems in the world to form a baseline for similar, future technology investment in Poland.

Low-carbon electricity and heat production is essential for keeping the decarbonization targets and climate mitigation goals. Thus, an accurate understanding of the potential environmental impacts constitutes a key aspect not only for the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions but also for other environmental categories. Life cycle assessment allows us to conduct an overall evaluation of a given process or system through its whole lifetime across various environmental indicators. This study focused on construction, operation and maintenance, and end-of-life phases, which were analyzed based on the ReCiPe 2016 method. Within this work, authors assessed the environmental performance of one of the renewable energy sources—Enhanced Geothermal Systems, which utilize supercritical carbon dioxide as a working fluid to produce electricity and heat. Heat for the process is extracted from hot, dry rocks, typically located at depths of approximately 4–5 km, and requires appropriate stimulation to enable fluid flow. Consequently, drilling and site preparation entail significant energy and material inputs. This stage, based on conducted calculations, exhibits the highest global warming potential, with values between 5.2 and 30.1 kgCO₂eq/MWh_el, corresponding to approximately 65%, 86%, and 94% in terms of overall impacts for ecosystems, human health, and resources categories, respectively. Moreover, the study authors compared the EGS impacts for the Polish and Norwegian conditions. Obtained results indicated that due to much higher electricity output from the Norwegian plant, which is sited offshore, the environmental influence remains the lowest, at a level of 11.9 kgCO₂eq/MWh_el. Polish cases range between 38.7 and 54.1 kgCO₂eq/MWh_el of global warming potential in terms of electricity production. Regarding power generation only, the impacts in the case of the Norwegian facility are two to five times lower than for the installation in the Polish conditions.

Water is one of the most important resources found on Earth, essential for all forms of life. Both the quantity and quality of water resources are crucial for the health of the population and for economic sectors, making water a factor in determining a society’s standard of living. Mine water serves as an appealing source of both drinking and technological water. Regardless of the exploitation method, it must be pumped to the surface and, usually, treated to meet environmental standards. In most cases, it is discharged to rivers. In this article, we present a model of the use of mine water from three pumping stations of decommissioned coal mines in the Upper Silesian Coal Basin—Jan Kanty, Saturn, and Boże Dary. Water from these pumping stations is characterized by good qualitative and quantitative parameters. The results of the physico-chemical composition analyses carried out in the years 2012–2022 did not reveal any excessive amounts of toxic components or treatment difficulties. Given the long operational lifespan of these pumping stations and their existing water extraction infrastructure, they emerge as promising sources of both potable and industrial water supply, demanding minimal treatment efforts.

This study presents the characteristics of the Lahendong geothermal working area (GWA) in terms of the geological, geophysical, geochemical, and environmental implications. The investigated area is located in the Sulawesi North Arm, where the volcanic arc extends from Sangihe Island to Minahasa with two major strike-slip faults. NE–SW (northeast-southwest) trending faults control the thermal surface manifestation. The geothermal field is grouped into two hydrochemical systems: acid-sulphate-chloride (acid reservoir) and chloride (closer to neutral) types. The environmental implication analysis shows that the North Sulawesi province is experiencing water shortages due to excessive mining activities, inadequate wastewater management, and periods of drought. Although geothermal wastewater is being re-injected, the possibility of water contamination by hazardous materials from geothermal power plant activity is still evident. This study reviews the actual geothermal utilisation in the form of the 120 MWe power plant, the 500 kWe binary power plant, while the heat from geothermal energy is used for palm sugar production. Furthermore, the article also analyses the potential of the rational use of geothermal resources in this area. As a result of the high salinity and silica concentration of the brine, the geothermal wastewater should be treated before further utilisation and it potentially benefits both local communities and geothermal companies.

The energy sector in Poland is primarily based on fossil fuels, mainly coal. Hard coal mining is one of the most important industries in Poland. Hard coal deposits in Poland are found in three basins, but mining is currently carried out in the Upper Silesian Coal Basin (USCB) and the Lublin Coal Basin (LCB). The Upper Silesian Coal Basin is Poland’s central hard coal basin, with the most significant coal production extending across Poland and the Czech Republic. Approximately 80% of proven hard coal resources in Poland are found in the Upper Silesian Coal Basin (USCB). There is a tremendous amount of water in active and abandoned hard coal mines, which must be drained daily. Relatively high temperatures characterize mine water. This study analyzed the geological and hydrogeological conditions of the Upper Silesian Coal Basin and determined the potential for the use of mine waters for energy purposes. Depending on the location of the mine, the volume of mine water inflow ranges from 1 to 60 m³/min. The temperature of the pumped water is between 13 and 25 °C. In Poland, several such pilot installations have already been created; it is worth taking a closer look at the following examples. Heat recovery from mine drainage water can significantly reduce atmospheric emissions, which is particularly important in mining areas affected by low emissions. Therefore, Poland must raise the issue of using mined water for energy purposes, especially when making decisions related to decommissioning mines and developing post-mining areas.