ITB Student Team Wins National Competition with Innovation to Improve Geothermal Drilling Efficiency Using Machine Learning
By Azka Zahara Firdausa - Mahasiswa Rekayasa Hayati, 2021
Editor Anggun Nindita
BANDUNG, itb.ac.id – Students from Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB) have once again achieved national recognition in the field of renewable energy through the Renewable Energy Innovation Competition, part of the ReEnergize Summit 2025 organized by the Society of Renewable Energy, Universitas Indonesia (SRE UI).
Team ITB Santuy, consisting of Bondan Attoriq and Muhammad Xavier El Gibraltar Ellion from the Metallurgical Engineering program, and Akira Neutriansyah from the Physics program, won 1st Place in the Renewable Energy Innovation Competition at the ReEnergize Summit 2025 on Saturday (July 21, 2025).
In the competition, Team ITB Santuy presented a project titled “EGSmart 1.0: Enhanced Geothermal System (EGS) Drilling Optimization Based on Multi-Model Machine Learning with 30 Driving Factors.” The core of their innovation lies in the development of a drilling optimization and monitoring platform for Enhanced Geothermal System (EGS) technology using Machine Learning algorithms, particularly ensemble learning, to significantly enhance the efficiency of geothermal drilling.
EGS is a geothermal energy technology applicable in rock formations with low permeability. However, its main challenge lies in the extremely high drilling costs, which can account for up to 60% of total project expenses. To address this, the EGSmart system was created to optimize and predict the Rate of Penetration (ROP) using 30 input variables from the drilling process. The system was developed using real-world data through a case study on the UTAH 16B(78)-32 pilot well in the United States.
The system allows for real-time monitoring, precise control of drilling parameters, and fault mitigation through forecasting trend analysis of ROP. With these optimization capabilities, EGSmart contributes to solving key challenges in the geothermal industry globally, particularly in reducing EGS site development costs.
Despite a demanding schedule, including final presentation preparations overlapping with their Final Semester Exams, the team managed to achieve success. They effectively managed their time, maintained clear communication, and stayed fully committed throughout each phase. Their focus and confidence during the presentation and Q&A sessions with the judges were key to their victory.
“Stay focused, be confident, and eliminate nervousness and doubt. The judges can tell who truly understands their innovation and who’s uncertain,” said Bondan.
Powered by data and technology, EGSmart unlocks significant potential for improving the efficiency of geothermal energy in the future. The team hopes their project will continue to develop and make a real contribution to the advancement of geothermal energy, particularly in Indonesia.
Reporter: Azka Zahara Firdausa (Bioengineering, Class of 2022)
