Environmental Impacts

Renewable Power Source

Positive
Impacts
Minimal Air Emissions

Availability
 Renewable Energy

• Reliable source of energy

• Offsets over-dependence on
fossil fuel

• Lower amount of pollution

generated
 Minimal Air Emissions

• It produces only about one-

sixth of the carbon dioxide that
a clean natural-gas fueled
power plant produces

• Binary Plants– No emissions

• Dry Steam & Flash Geothermal
– Very small amounts of
emissions
 Availability

• Earth’s internal heat is available

around the world

• Geothermal energy is always

available.
 Air Emissions
Negative
Impacts
Water Contamination

Terrain Changes
 Air Emissions

• Hydrogen sulfide, carbon

dioxide, ammonia, methane,
and boron are emitted to the
atmosphere
• H2S becomes SO2 in
atmosphere, thus SO2 is a
hazardous chemical for humans
 Water Contamination

• High concentrations of
toxics including antimony,
arsenic, lead, and
mercury
 Terrain Changes

• Foundational Problems –
Ground Collapse and Sink
Holes

• Increase seismic frequency