What is a limitation of geothermal energy?

What is a limitation of geothermal energy?

• A. It can only be harnessed in certain geographical regions with the right geological conditions.
• B. It relies on abundant sunlight.
• C. It emits high levels of greenhouse gases.
• D. It cannot provide baseload power.

Answer: (B)

Geothermal energy relies on heat stored beneath the Earth's surface, and its use is limited by geography because accessible high-temperature resources are concentrated in only certain regions with the right geology. In many areas, the heat reservoir is too deep or too cool to exploit cost-effectively, so development isn’t practical. This is why geothermal is most viable in tectonically active zones, near hot rocks or volcanic activity. It does not rely on abundant sunlight—solar energy uses that resource—so that statement isn’t a real drawback of geothermal. In fact, geothermal can provide steady baseload power and emits very low greenhouse gases, making those properties strengths rather than limitations. So the main limitation is geographic availability.

Geothermal energy relies on heat stored beneath the Earth's surface, and its use is limited by geography because accessible high-temperature resources are concentrated in only certain regions with the right geology. In many areas, the heat reservoir is too deep or too cool to exploit cost-effectively, so development isn’t practical. This is why geothermal is most viable in tectonically active zones, near hot rocks or volcanic activity. It does not rely on abundant sunlight—solar energy uses that resource—so that statement isn’t a real drawback of geothermal. In fact, geothermal can provide steady baseload power and emits very low greenhouse gases, making those properties strengths rather than limitations. So the main limitation is geographic availability.