Apply Now: Advancing Non-Evaporative Cooling Technologies in the CII Sector

The Water Research Foundation (WRF) invites proposals for a 15-month project to explore non-evaporative cooling solutions for commercial, industrial, and institutional facilities. The initiative evaluates technical, economic, and operational feasibility, aiming to provide sustainable, water- and energy-efficient alternatives to traditional evaporative cooling systems.

Project Overview

The Water Research Foundation (WRF) is seeking proposals to advance non-evaporative cooling technologies for large-scale commercial, industrial, and institutional (CII) facilities. The project will identify promising alternatives to conventional evaporative systems and assess their feasibility across a range of facility types, including resorts, stadiums, hospitals, office complexes, industrial sites, and data centers.

Funding and Duration

• Project Duration: 15 months

• Funding Available: Up to $170,000

• Eligible Applicants:

  • U.S. and international universities

  • Research organizations

  • Government agencies

  • Consultants and for-profit companies

Project Goals

1. Evaluate non-evaporative cooling technologies for large-scale applications.

2. Compare energy, water, and operational performance against traditional evaporative and adiabatic/hybrid systems.

3. Produce real-world case studies highlighting successful technology implementation.

Research Focus Areas

• Technical Feasibility: Examine energy consumption, electrical requirements, noise levels, physical footprint, lifespan, and rejected heat emissions.

• Economic Feasibility: Assess equipment and installation costs, maintenance requirements, and scalability for different cooling loads.

• Environmental Performance: Quantify potential water savings, energy reduction, and overall sustainability benefits.

• Comparative Analysis: Develop models comparing non-evaporative systems to traditional evaporative and hybrid systems.

Case Study Development

• Produce at least three case studies per facility category demonstrating non-evaporative cooling at scales above 2,500 tons.

• Include one adiabatic/hybrid case study per facility category for performance comparison.

• Highlight implementation challenges, operational performance, and lessons learned.

Who Is Eligible?

• Universities, research organizations, and government agencies with expertise in cooling technologies.

• Consultants and for-profit companies experienced in large-scale CII facility systems.

• International entities capable of conducting applied research and producing practical case studies.

Why This Matters

• Water Conservation: Reduces water use compared to traditional evaporative cooling systems.

• Energy Efficiency: Improves operational energy performance for large-scale facilities.

• Scalability: Provides utilities and facility managers with viable alternatives for diverse cooling needs.

• Sustainability: Supports the adoption of environmentally responsible and resource-efficient cooling solutions.

How to Apply

1. Prepare a research proposal aligned with project objectives and evaluation criteria.

2. Demonstrate expertise in non-evaporative cooling technologies and large-scale facility systems.

3. Include a detailed methodology for testing, performance evaluation, and case study development.

4. Submit proposals through the official WRF application portal by the stated deadline.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Submitting proposals without detailed feasibility or comparative analysis plans.

• Failing to address water and energy performance metrics.

• Neglecting to provide clear case study methodology or practical implementation strategies.

• Overlooking the scalability and operational considerations for large-scale facilities.

FAQ

1. What types of facilities are covered?
   Resorts, stadiums, hospitals, office complexes, industrial sites, and data centers.

2. What is the maximum funding available?
   Up to $170,000 for a 15-month project period.

3. Are international applicants eligible?
   Yes, both U.S. and international organizations may apply.

4. What are the expected outputs?
   Comparative analysis models, technical and economic feasibility reports, and at least three real-world case studies per facility category.

5. Will the project assess energy and water performance?
   Yes, it will quantify energy use, water savings, and other environmental impacts.

6. What scale of systems will be evaluated?
   Non-evaporative cooling systems above 2,500 tons per facility.

7. Is comparison with hybrid systems required?
   Yes, one adiabatic/hybrid case study per facility category is required for benchmarking.

Conclusion

This WRF initiative offers a unique opportunity to advance sustainable cooling technologies for large-scale facilities. By producing actionable research, comparative models, and practical case studies, the project aims to provide facility managers, utilities, and industry stakeholders with effective alternatives to conventional evaporative systems, driving water and energy efficiency at scale.