Published by Australian Academy of Science
Activity 1 | Rocking on with hot rocks geothermal energy

Putting on your thinking hat to evaluate geothermal energy

Note: this activity may be conducted in small groups or as a class.

De Bono’s 6 thinking hats is a tool for thinking about an issue effectively. By putting on a different metaphorical or symbolic ‘hat’, the group thinks about the issue from six different perspectives. For more information see:

Six thinking hats (Department of Education, Tasmania)

Evaluating with de Bono’s 6 thinking hats (Bendigo Senior Secondary College, Australia)

The task
You work for an organisation that provides funding for alternative energy projects in Australia (mostly solar, wind, biomass and wave power). Your team is responsible for evaluating incoming projects. A company has approached your organisation for funding to develop a new geothermal energy plant in the Cooper Basin. From initial exploration of the area they have found an area with geothermal resources of similar temperatures but at a greater depth than the existing Innamincka geothermal plant in the same basin.

Should your organisation consider providing funds for the new geothermal energy plant?

• Copy the 6 thinking hats guide below onto a piece of A3 or butcher’s paper.
• Use the information in Rocking on with hot rocks geothermal energy to evaluate the project as a team. Fill in the 6 thinking hats guide to help with your team’s evaluation of the proposal.
• Consider the project by comparing geothermal energy to other sources of energy, as well as by comparing the project to the existing Innamincka geothermal energy site.
• Present your team’s final findings and recommendations in either a Word document (less than 400 words) or a PowerPoint presentation.

De Bono’s 6 thinking hats guide