Geothermal Energy: Obstacles and Uncertainties Impede Its Widespread Use

Theoretically, geothermal resources are a virtually inexhaustible energy source. Although the government has spent nearly $500 million over the past 5 years, development and use of these resources has proceeded slowly. The Department of Energy (DOE) has the lead responsibility for the federal geothermal program and has tried to stimulate private industry and local public power authorities to commercialize this energy for the production of electricity or direct heat. Private industry's efforts have primarily focused on hydrothermal steam resources, while it has made only limited efforts to develop other geothermal resources such as high-temperature, hot-water resources due to high costs, and financial and technical risks.