Question

In recent years, geothermal energy has been increasingly used as an alternative source of energy. List two advantages and two disadvantages of this energy source.

a) Advantages: Renewable, low greenhouse gas emissions; Disadvantages: Limited geographic availability, high initial costs
b) Advantages: High energy output, easy to access; Disadvantages: Limited resource lifespan, pollution from drilling
c) Advantages: Low maintenance costs, unlimited supply; Disadvantages: Intermittent energy production, harmful to wildlife
d) Advantages: Low cost, minimal environmental impact; Disadvantages: High emissions, non-renewable resource

Answer 1

Geothermal energy is a renewable and low-emission source, but its use is limited due to geographical constraints and high initial investment costs.

Step-by-step explanation:

Geothermal energy is a clean and renewable source of power derived from the Earth's internal heat. It offers several advantages, notably its sustainability and the relatively low levels of greenhouse gases it emits when compared to fossil fuels. As for disadvantages, geothermal energy is thwarted by its limited geographic availability and the high initial costs associated with developing the complex infrastructure required to harness it.

Option (a) best describes the advantages and disadvantages of geothermal energy. Two key advantages are that it is renewable and produces low greenhouse gas emissions. On the other hand, its disadvantages include limited geographic availability, as it is only practical near tectonic plate boundaries or geothermal hotspots, and the high initial start-up costs that can be a barrier to entry.