Poland belongs to the countries with limited waters intended for drinking resources. To meet this problem, the Management Board of Geotermia Mazowiecka SA carries out activities to determine the possibilities of using exploited geothermal waters other than energy purposes. In addition to energy, the geothermal water is used for recreation and balneotherapy in “Termy Mszczonów” and for the production of drinking water for the local water supply system. Some water needs to be discharged into surface watercourses due to a lack of coherence of heating and water supply needs. For recognizing this problem innovative research project entitled: “The development of a method for injecting after energy-used geothermal waters into selected geological structures” was prepared and implemented as part of the Regional Operational Program of the Mazowieckie Voivodship for 2014–2020 (Priority Axis: Research and development activities of enterprises). This project has resulted in the launch of the installation pumping excess water to the quaternary sandy leyer. Based on the results from the first year of operation of the project, it can be assumed that it is possible to achieve nearly 100% reduction of water discharge and, consequently, the full use of producted geothermal waters. In summary, it can be stated that the geothermal plant in Mszczonów is a unique installation not only on the Polish but also international scale. The proof of this is not only the scale of rational use of water for energy purposes (cooling from 41°C to about 17°C), but also their development in other areas, for example in “Termy Mszczonów” and for the production of waters intended for drinking. The article presents the results of the first year (2019) of operation of the water injection system. During this period, in cooled water discharged into surface watercourse nearly 50% reduction was achieved.

The article analyzes the risk factors related to the energy use of alternative fuels from waste. The essence of risk and its impact on economic activity in the area of waste management were discussed. Then, a risk assessment, on the example of waste fractions used for the production of alternative fuel, was carried out. In addition, the benefits for the society and the environment from the processing of alternative fuels for energy purposes, including, among others: reducing the cost of waste disposal, limiting the negative impact on water, soil and air, reducing the amount of waste deposited, acquisition of land; reduction of the greenhouse effect, facilitating the recycling of other fractions, recovery of electricity and heat, and saving conventional energy carriers, were determined. The analysis of risk factors is carried out separately for plants processing waste for alternative fuel production and plants producing energy from this type of fuel. Waste processing plants should pay attention to investment, market (price, interest rate, and currency), business climate, political, and legal risks, as well as weather, seasonal, logistic, technological, and loss of profitability or bankruptcy risks. Similar risks are observed in the case of energy companies, as they operate in the same external environment. Moreover, internal risks may be similar; however, the specific nature of the operation of each enterprise should be taken into account. Energy companies should pay particular attention to the various types of costs that may threaten the stability of operation, especially in the case of regulated energy prices. The risk associated with the inadequate quality of the supplied and stored fuels is important. This risk may disrupt the technological process and reduce the plant’s operational efficiency. Heating plants and combined heat and power plants should also not underestimate the non-catastrophic weather risk, which may lead to a decrease in heat demand and a reduction in business revenues. A comprehensive approach to risk should protect enterprises against possible losses due to various types of threats, including both external and internal threats.