Why is geothermal energy impractical as an energy source in Maryland?

Answer 1

That depends on what you consider geothermal energy, and energy source. Ground source heat pumps could be used in Maryland, and would qualify as a geothermal energy source. This would use heat from the ground to help heat a home.

If you are asking about geothermal power plants and such, higher temperature, larger reservoirs are not as common. It is quite likely that Maryland does not have such a reservoir. An area north of San Francisco called The Geysers is the single largest known geothermal reservoir, which has been commercially developed for power production. However, the many closed power plants in that area show the risks in developing a steam field. These risks can deter potential investors from attempting to explore smaller, lesser known fields until technology has improved to lessen the cost of such exploration.

Answer 2

Geothermal energy is impractical in Maryland because the state does not have significant geothermal resources such as hot springs or volcanic activity. The cost of drilling deep enough to reach suitable temperatures for geothermal energy production is prohibitively high in areas with low geothermal potential like Maryland. Additionally, the relatively small land area and population density in the state make it challenging to find suitable locations for geothermal power plants.