The U.S. Department of Energy is asking for information and ideas on key barriers to long-term and affordable access to water supplies, including challenges the energy sector faces.
In a request for information notice slated to be published in the Federal Register on March 19, the DOE said it is looking to understand key technical and other barriers that may prevent long-term access to low-cost water supplies that could be best addressed through challenges and prize competitions. The DOE will be accepting comments through May 14.
Water resources are becoming a key issue in Western states and elsewhere as weather and precipitation patterns change, usage continues to climb and evaporation rates have increased due to a jump in global temperatures. Low water levels and higher water temperatures, among other things, can hurt the efficiency and cost of running power plants that rely on water for cooling or for generating electricity.
The DOE noted that its own offices, as well as states, local governments, and private and nonprofit organizations, are working to address water challenges through policy changes, early stage research and development, and grants. For example, the agency's Advanced Manufacturing Office is developing a program to make water treatments more efficient and affordable.
Unlike R&D funding, in which money is provided at the start to pursue a goal, prizes and competitions do not necessarily always involve money, and they "work best when targeting solutions that are measurable and achievable within a relatively short time period" of two to 10 years, the notice said.
The DOE is seeking ideas on increasing alternative water supplies, reducing costs to treat drinking water and wastewater, using water more efficiently, and deploying market-based solutions for innovation and conservation.
On the water-energy nexus, the DOE wants information on the most critical energy issues that, if solved, could have a measurable and significant near-term impact on the availability of low-cost water supplies and low-cost energy production. The agency also asked if integrating energy and water systems can drive down the costs of energy and water supplies.
The agency asked for comment on additional water-related challenges not included in the request for information and ideas on how a challenge or prize competition could be structured to address those problems.
