Benefits Of Geothermal Power Outweigh The Risks

Geothermal Energy / Related Environmental Issues / Environmental Impact

Date posted: 09/15/15

Alexis Arthur opines that the debate over geothermal energy has generally been a quiet one. With just 13 gigawatts (GW) of global installed capacity, it is considered by some to be a relatively non-controversial (or even irrelevant) energy issue. Yet a new study questioning the health risks associated with geothermal power generation could bring this neglected energy source into the spotlight. Brushing the usual fear-mongering headlines aside, the study raises an important question, what are the risks associated with geothermal power? The study itself is careful not to equate correlation with causation. The authors suggest that exposure to hydrogen sulfide (H2S) emanating from geothermal power plants near the Icelandic capital, Reykjavik, could have adverse effects on respiratory health. The study further proposes that elevated H2S levels could increase morbidity in people who were already ill. However, the authors conclude that the results should be interpreted with caution. Studies on H2S exposure in Rotorua, New Zealand, were similarly inconclusive about the impact of H2S emissions. Further study is clearly warranted. Iceland is a very particular case. The nation is a global leader in geothermal energy, where it accounts for 66 percent of Iceland primary energy use. Geothermal energy is not just used for power generation but also heats 90 percent of the island homes. From El Salvador to Chile to Colombia, Latin American countries are exploring their geothermal options as part of a sustained initiative to diversify their energy matrices. The environmental risks and social backlash against large-scale hydropower further support the case for geothermal development. Overall, the benefits of geothermal power are clear. That said, the lack of controversy surrounding geothermal generation should not be a reason to exempt it from scrutiny regarding its impact on health and safety.