Deliverable 6.12 - Scientific article on societal aspects of radiation protection related to radon in geothermal energy installations

The geothermal energy production industry is expanding in numerous countries, with notable growth observed in Belgium and the Netherlands, as part of a concerted effort to diminish reliance on fossil fuels. Despite its numerous clear advantages, the geothermal industry also contends with certain risks, and a lesser-known concern involves the radiological risk associated with naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM).
This study represents the first comprehensive and systematic exploration of societal aspects associated with radiological risks in relation to geothermal energy installations. To assess the recognition of radiological hazards in geothermal installations, the perception of radiological risks by various
stakeholders, and to investigate whether and how those risks are communicated, we employed a holistic methodological approach: A technical study was conducted to characterise residues (sludges and filters) generated in a geothermal installation in The Netherlands, while social scientific research
was conducted using non-systematic document analysis, semi-structured interviews, a workshop and media content analysis in Belgium and the Netherlands. The data have been collected between August 2022 and October 2023.
Preliminary results related to radiological hazards indicate that various substances accumulate in specific places of the installation, causing the build-up of scales and sludges. This leads to increasing concentrations of, for example, naturally occurring radionuclides (NORs), heavy metals, and /or rare earth elements. Nevertheless, within the installation examined in our technical study, the concentrations of various radionuclides remained within acceptable exemption limits. Findings from the non-systematic document analysis revealed that the recognition of radiological hazards at geothermal installations is
evident in expert documents, such as reports and guidelines, as well as by responsible authorities dedicated to radiation protection, as demonstrated on their respective internet pages. Stakeholders engaged in geothermal installations and related sectors in Belgium and the Netherlands, who
participated in semi-structured interviews and a workshop, underscored their perception of radiation as a relatively minor, yet still significant in terms of effective risk management and controllable. Analysis of data from social media, traditional written media, and public internet pages revealed the relatively limited discussion of this topic in Belgian public discourse.
In conclusion, the recent development of the geothermal sector in numerous countries, along with its site-specific and dynamic nature, highlights the necessity for continuous attention to effective risk management, including radiological risk. An especially relevant area that merits further research in this
context pertains to the radiation protection behaviour of employees and contractors at such installations, as well as waste management.
Information from this deliverable has been incorporated into a scientific article scheduled for submission to a journal.