The Great Lakes Protection Fund (GLPF) and the American Water Works Assn. (AWWA) announced the launch of the Water Utility Energy Challenge (WUEC), a program that engages water operators in a competition to reduce the emissions sourced in their energy generation. The competition is aimed at connecting the utilities with new innovative software while fostering an awareness of the associated emissions, particularly mercury.
The technology is open source for utilities across the U.S., but the inaugural challenge and prize dollars will be focused on the Great Lakes Basin. There is no cost to enter, and competing utilities will receive software and tools to assist in monitoring and reporting emissions, as well as hands-on technical assistance. The competition will run through 2018 with award and cash prizes presented that spring.
“AWWA is eager to collaborate with the Great Lakes Protection Fund on this forward-looking work. With its cutting edge technology and training component, the partnership will help water utilities optimize their energy consumption, use cleaner energy sources and, importantly, help keep the Great Lakes clean,” said David LaFrance, AWWA CEO.
WUEC milestones and key dates include:
- Dec. 1, 2016 – trial applications open (Eligibility and rules are available here.)
- Feb. 28, 2017 – trial round applications close
- March 2017 – finalists announced
- April 2018 – winners announced
“This challenge will showcase how utility leaders can use the cleanest energy to deliver clean, safe drinking water to their customers. The winners will demonstrate a new standard for reducing emissions and improving the financial health of their systems. We are delighted to partner with AWWA and its collaborators to protect and restore the health of our shared Great Lakes waters,” said David Rankin, vice president of programs, GLPF.
For more information on the challenge, visit www.awwa.org/competition.
Source: Great Lakes Protection Fund
