The renewable energy industry is convening this week in California, the birthplace of US geothermal energy production, for the Renewable Energy World Conference & Expo.

In conjunction with the event, the Geothermal Energy Association (GEA) has released Why Support Geothermal, a report highlighting the benefits of supporting geothermal energy. The report can be downloaded in conjunction with this post.

Why Support Geothermal reviews the advantages of geothermal power and reasons why it is important to invest in this valuable energy resource including:

• Geothermal power can be produced as a baseload renewable energy resource, meaning it operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week regardless of changing weather, providing a uniquely reliable and continuous source of clean energy. As a baseload power source, geothermal is well suited as a substitute for coal in our utility system.
• Geothermal supports local economic development.
• Geothermal energy is widely available.
• Geothermal energy promotes national security.

California was the first U.S. state to build a commercial geothermal site, the GEA says, and the state continues to lead the way for the U.S. geothermal industry. In 2010, geothermal provided 42 percent of California's commercial, in-state renewable electricity generation, and if the Golden State were its own country, it would lead the world in geothermal power production with over 2,500 MW of installed capacity.

For more on AOL Energy on geothermal energy in California, read Geothermal Could Become California's Baseload Power and Geothermal Energy Risk The Focus As Opportunities Evaluated.