This document discusses geothermal energy, including its advantages and disadvantages. Some key advantages are that geothermal energy provides dispatchable, 24-hour base load electricity that is very reliable at around 95% availability. It also has low emissions and relatively low costs of 4-8 cents per kWh. A disadvantage is the high initial costs of design and installation, though this investment would pay off over the years of operation. Direct uses of geothermal energy include electricity generation and direct heating, while indirect uses involve other applications.