University of Southern Queensland

CRICOS: QLD00244B NSW02225M TEQSA: PRV12081

Preliminary Research Thesis Topic Proposal

This form is to be used by students seeking entry to a USQ Higher Degree by Research Program

STUDENT NAME:

ROMI APRIANTO

Instructions: This preliminary research thesis topic proposal form would normally be discussed and completed in consultation
with the proposed Principal Supervisor prior to applying for acceptance into a Higher Degree by Research (HDR) program. The
length of the proposal should be about 4-5 pages. This preliminary research thesis topic proposal form establishes a broad
framework for the research topic that the student will elaborate on during the provisional candidate period, leading to the
submission of a peer-reviewed thesis proposal.
If you have made contact with a USQ Staff member who has indicated a willingness to supervise the research topic, please
provide their details below. If not you are strongly encouraged to contact potential supervisors prior to submitting your
application. In the cases where no supervisor has been listed USQ will attempt to locate a potential supervisors on your behalf
however this will delay the processing of your application.

HDR applications will be assessed on receipt of all the requested documentation as outlined on the How to apply web site.

PROPOSED PRINCIPAL SUPERVISOR:

Dr. RAVINESH DEO, School of Agricultural, Computational and Environmental Sciences

PROPOSED ASSOCIATE SUPERVISOR(S):

To be advised.

RESEARCH THESIS TOPIC:

Predictive Modelling and Geothermal Potential Analysis based on magnetotelluric data and machine
learning algorithms in Sumbawa, Indonesia

RESEARCH THESIS TOPIC ID NUMBER (if applicable)

TOPIC AIMS: Present in dot points the key aims and/or research questions of the
topic.
This project aims to:
determine the physical characteristics of the geothermal?
determine the chemical properties of the geothermal?
investigate hotsprings type of geothermal?
estimate subsurface temperature and geothermal gradient?
create a predictive model of geothermal reservoir based on magneotelluric data and machine
learning models

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TOPIC SIGNIFICANCE: Please provide information on how this topic leads to
significant advances in the field of study.

Renewable energy is an expanding area of attention that is used to address climate-risk in the 21 st
century. New measures for climate change adaptation and mitigation can be developed by more
research into carbon-free renewable energy resources.

This PhD project that closely aligns with the universitys strategic direction in climate risk management
and computational mathematics has enormous benefits - in particular, the benefits of this research will
be to acquire better information about geothermal energy potential that will provide an overview of the
potential and utilization.

This research is also expected to be a reference for the government in determining policies relating to
geothermal energy potential and limitation of energy.

In general, this research is expected to create a standard formula on how to make the geothermal
reservoir model based on magnetotelluric data. Predictive modelling using artificial intelligence models
will be undertaken, which has rarely been performed in this field.

BACKGROUND / DESCRIPTION OF TOPIC (including key references)

Please provide a general introduction of the topic; briefly review the current
research in the field; highlight your own research experience in this field and
any preliminary work that has been conducted on this topic.
The potential of geothermal energy in Indonesia that has reached 27 GWe and is closely
associated with Indonesia's position in the world tectonic framework. Based on the appearance of
geothermal surface per unit area, Indonesia is the fourth world, even in terms of high temperatures, is
the second largest. Most of the geothermal energy that has been used throughout the world is an
energy that is extracted from the hydrothermal system, due to the utilization of hot-igneous system
and conduction-dominated system requires high extraction technology.

The hydrothermal system is closely related to the system of volcanism and the formation of a
volcano on an active plate boundary zone where there is heat flow (heat flow) is high. Indonesia is at
the confluence of three active plate which allows geothermal energy is transferred from the depths to
the surface through the fracture system. This strategic position puts Indonesia as the country with the
richest geothermal energy scattered along the volcanic arc. So most of the geothermal resources in
Indonesia has a high eltalpi. (Wahyuningsih, 2005)

Sumbawa island is on track volcanic (volcanic belt) Sundas orogen. Along this path there are
many geothermal manifestations, which indicates the potential of geothermal energy at a particular
depth. This potential if properly managed and planned, will be able to generate electrical energy
comes from geothermal energy. (Sundhoro et al, 2005)

Geothermal Sumbawa is one of three potential geothermal in West Nusa Tenggara besides Hu'u in
Dompu with a potential of about 69 MWe and Sembalun in Lombok with a potential of about 60 MWe -
70 MWe. Hu'u potential areas and Sembalun already in the process of exploration, while areas of
potential Sumbawa not done any survey to determine the geothermal potential in detail.

Based on this, the researcher interested in studying more about the potential of geothermal in the
area.

PROPOSED METHODS
Outline how you plan to conduct the research. Please provide information on the following issues:
access to research laboratories; detail of field work; access to computing facilities other than desktop
PC; any possible animal and human ethics clearance.

The methods in this research are study of literature, field research, laboratory analysis, data

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processing, and interpretation. This research consist of several stages:
1. Preparation: each research activity, always begins with preparation involves everything needed
during the implementation of the research. At this stage, things are done are preparation of
administration, preparation of tools and equipments, study of literature, and cost planning and
schedule of activity
2. Field Research:
The activities at this stages are capturing data about physical and chemical characteristics of the
geothermal hot springs, capturing rocks and hot water samples, and magnetotelluric data
acquisition.
3. Laboratory analysis:
Samples of geothermal hot springs taken from the research location were analysed in laboratory.
This stage aims to determine the elements contained in the hot water.
4. Data Processing:
After the elements contained in hot water are known, then analysed the data to determine the
physical characteristics of hot water, chemical properties, and the type of hot water, subsurface
temperature, and depth of reservoir. Based on magnetotelluric data, researcher will create a neural
network model of a geothermal reservoir using Matlab program.
5. Finally, the data analysis and model results will be interpretation and published.

The final stage of this research is the interpretation of the data and modelled results based on the
result of field research on geological data, geochemical data and the processing results of laboratory
analysis and other supporting data that related to the research.

PROPOSED TIMETABLE AND MILESTONES

The overall plan should be discussed with your potential supervisor and a summary provided here, if
possible. If you have been unable to discuss this with a potential supervisor, please summarise your
thoughts on how the research would progress over your candidature. You may wish to add a timeline
indicating key dates for your proposed course of study.

This research plan, I detailed in the following table:

Phase Mayor Task and Milestone
Phase I 1. Preparation of administration
Preparation and Set Up 2. equipment and tools
(Month 1-4) 3. study of literature
1. acquisition of geological data that are around hot
springs include geomorphology, lithology and
geological structure
Phase II
2. Capturing data about the physical and chemical
Collection of Research Data
characteristics of the hot springs such as temperature,
(Month 5-12)
color and pH
3. Sampling of rocks and hot water
4. Resistivity Magnetotelluric Survey
1. Laboratory analysis
2. determine the physical characteristics of hot water, hot
Phase III water chemical properties, the type of hot water,
Data Analysis and Modelling subsurface temperature, and depth of reservoir
(Month 13-18) 3. Develop a predictive model using artificial neural
network algorithms to predict geothermal energy using
field-collected data.
Phase IV
Creating a standard formula for geothermal reservoir
Create Reservoir Model Formula
modeling based on data Magnetotelluric
(Month 19-30)
1. Write articles and prepare presentations.
Phase V 2. Submit articles to peer reviewed journals and
Research Report conferences.
(Month 30-36) 3. Publish in Journal
4. Prepare a final thesis and submit for examination.

POSSIBLE FUNDING OF TOPIC ACTIVITIES

Indicate how research activities are to be funded, e.g., research grants that will assist the topic.
Please include an estimate of the main costs needed to carry out your proposed study, and if this is

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expected to come from USQ, an external funding body, or will be self-funded. The topic resources
plan will be approved at the Confirmation of Candidature.

This research will be fully funded by the government of Indonesia through scholarships.

Other estimated cost to be used in this study will $ 6,000 are scattered in every phase of the study.

I will also apply for USQ scholarships to cover the tuition fees for this PhD program.

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Student Signature: Date:

SUPERVISOR STATEMENT To be completed by supervisor (If identified)

Please comment briefly on this proposal in terms of feasibility; support for the topic; and confirm
willingness to supervise this topic. The supervisors should show how the topic is linked to the
Universitys strategic research agenda; how it links to national and international research activities in
this field; and whether the topic is linked to research conducted in a national research organization.

After having consulted the student I am happy to supervise this work, along with an associate supervisor. The
project is exciting as it aims to develop greater understanding of geothermal energy by data collection, analysis
and modelling tools. The project is also in USQs strategic research themes and of importance in addressing
climate change and climate risk management by exploring geothermal energy as an important resource for
addressing climate change challenges. I therefore, support this proposal.

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Proposed Supervisor Signature: Date:

Dr Ravinesh Deo signed. 08-Aug-2016

Proposed Associate Supervisor Signature: Date:
(Optional)

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