Deadline: 21-Nov-24

The Water Research Foundation is requesting proposals for its Smart and Connected Energy Management Program.

Objectives

• Develop a comprehensive understanding of the current state of smart and connected energy management in water and wastewater utilities.
• Recommend tools and guidance for implementing smart water networks to reduce waste and improve overall energy efficiency.

Research Approach

• The proposed research approach would involve the following:
  • Conduct a detailed literature review to identify best practices and gaps in this subject
  • Survey utilities of different sizes and water wastewater treatment types to collect information, best practices, and challenges related to implementing smart energy programs
  • Identify process and component energy wastes or excesses within water and wastewater operations and distributions that would be informed by smart water networks by in-depth case studies, network analysis, or other approaches
  • Develop a guidance manual of best practices for implementing smart water utility network technology and analysis approaches. Guidance manual should include:
    • Recommendations on what components should or should not be included based on size and or frequency of use
    • How to establish a baseline for quantifying the effectiveness of smart and connected energy management initiatives.

Funding Information

• The maximum funding available from WRF for this project is $150,000. The applicant must contribute additional resources equivalent to at least 33% of the project award. For example, if an applicant requests $100,000 from WRF, an additional $33,000 or more must be contributed by the applicant. Acceptable forms of applicant contribution include cost share, applicant in-kind, or third-party in-kind that comply with 2 CFR Part 200.306 cost sharing or matching. The applicant may elect to contribute more than 33% to the project, but the maximum WRF funding available remains fixed at $150,000.
• The anticipated period of performance for this project is 18 months from the contract start date.

Expected Deliverables

• Possible deliverables could include:
  • Literature review synthesis document
  • Summary of survey results
  • Final research report
  • Utility-facing guidance document, including recommendations on equipment inclusion and guidance for establishing baseline energy usage
  • Webcasts and conference presentations
  • Open access journal article

Eligibility Criteria

• Proposals will be accepted from both U.S.-based and non-U.S.-based entities, including educational institutions, research organizations, governmental agencies, and consultants or other for-profit entities.
• WRF’s Board of Directors has established a Timeliness Policy that addresses researcher adherence to the project schedule. Researchers who are late on any ongoing WRF-sponsored studies without approved no-cost extensions are not eligible to be named participants in any proposals

Evaluation Criteria

• The following criteria will be used to evaluate proposals:
  • Understanding the Problem and Responsiveness to RFP (maximum 20 points)
  • Technical and Scientific Merit (maximum 30 points)
  • Qualifications, Capabilities, and Management (maximum 15 points)
  • Communication Plan, Deliverables, and Applicability (maximum 20 points)
  • Budget and Schedule (maximum 15 points)

For more information, visit WRF.