Detail


	RFPs: Smart and Connected Energy Management
	Grant
	Water Research Foundation
	$100,000 to $500,000
	March 07, 2025
	May 07, 2025
	The Water Research Foundation (WRF) is seeking proposals for the Smart and Connected Energy Management project. Project 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. Funding Information Applicants may request up to $150,000 in WRF funds for this project. The anticipated period of performance for this project is 18 months from the contract start date. 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. The 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. 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. For more information, visit WRF.

The Water Research Foundation (WRF) is seeking proposals for the Smart and Connected Energy Management project.

Project 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.

Funding Information

Applicants may request up to $150,000 in WRF funds for this project.
The anticipated period of performance for this project is 18 months from the contract start date.

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. The 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.

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.

For more information, visit WRF.