Detroit, Michigan - February 21, 2017 - (Newswire.com)
The Water Utility Energy and Efficiency Challenge (WUEC) is an innovative program that engages water operators in a competition to reduce the emissions sourced in their energy generation. Funded by the Great Lakes Protection Fund (GLPF), the competition aims to connect utilities with new innovative software while fostering an awareness of the associated emissions, particularly mercury.
“Our team is excited to have such a wide breadth of locations and utilities competing,” said Dr. Carol Miller, the technical lead for the competition and the Chair of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Wayne State University. “The competition has registrations from Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, New York and Wisconsin, as well as the province of Ontario.”
The technology is open source for utilities across the United States, 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 $30,000 in prizes presented next 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 Chief Executive Officer.
More information on the challenge can be found by visiting AWWA’s WUEC webpage.
WUEC Milestones & Key Dates
February 28, 2017 – Applications Close (Visit AWWA’s eligibility & rules webpage)
March 2017 – Finalists Announced
April 2018 – Winners Announced
About the Water Utility Energy Challenge
The Water Utility Energy Challenge (WUEC) is a technology competition focused on water utilities in the Great Lakes Basin. Offering two top cash prizes of $20,000 and $10,000, the Water Utility Energy Challenge is supported by the Great Lakes Protection Fund. It is a collaborative effort of the American Water Works Association, CDM Smith, E2i, Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative, Growth Capital Network, and Wayne State University. For more information, visit www.AWWA.org/competition
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About the Great Lakes Protection Fund
The Great Lakes Protection Fund (GLPF) is a private, nonprofit corporation formed in 1989 by the governors of the Great Lakes states. It is a permanent environmental endowment that supports collaborative actions to improve the health of the Great Lakes ecosystem. To date, the Fund has made 265 grants and program-related investments representing over $75 million to support the creative work of collaborative teams that test new ideas, take risks, and share what they learn. www.glpf.org
About the American Water Works Association
Established in 1881, the American Water Works Association is the largest nonprofit, scientific and educational association dedicated to managing and treating water, the world’s most important resource. With approximately 50,000 members, AWWA provides solutions to improve public health, protect the environment, strengthen the economy and enhance our quality of life. www.awwa.org
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Original Source: The Great Lakes Water Utility Energy Challenge's Entry Deadline is February 18
