A*STAR S CALL FOR PROPOSALS (CFP) FOR SMART ENERGY DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS SERC ENERGY TECHNOLOGY R&D PROGRAM SERC Energy Technology R&D Program Science and Engineering Research Council (SERC) Agency for Science, Technology & Research (A*STAR) 30 Biopolis Street, #09-01 Matrix Singapore 138671 Tel: (65) 6826-6278 Fax: (65) 6779-8061
1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 The Science and Engineering Research Council (SERC) of the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), announces a call for research proposals in the area of Smart Energy Distribution Systems. 1.2 Electricity transmission and distribution systems are among the most important technologies serving the world today, bringing clean and useful energy to meet the demand of end users in many parts of the world. 1.3 However, in the light of concerns on energy security and access, environmental impacts of energy use (especially the threat of climate change) and depletion and rising costs of non-renewable energy resources, these existing energy distribution systems (built primarily around large, centralised power generation plants) have begun to show signs of age, inflexibility, vulnerability, high costs and inefficiencies. Much has to be done to address these challenges facing centralised and large scale power transmission and distribution. 1.4 At the same time, distributed energy resources (including renewable energy systems, distributed power generation, and integrated energy systems) are becoming increasingly widespread and important, and entail the development and use of new and innovative approaches and technologies in energy supply and distribution. 1.5 Distributed energy resources are smaller in capacity and output (and therefore much greater in numbers) compared to existing centralised power and energy conversion systems. They are based on a variety of different alternative and renewable energy resources with different technical and economic characteristics (including intermittency in output in the case of many forms of renewable energy resources). 1.6 The design, control, management and optimization of these new distributed energy resources and technologies, and their integration into existing energy transmission and distribution networks, pose significant technological challenges to ensure their reliability and safety, and to improve and maximize their efficiency and cost competitiveness. 1.7 Microgrids and other smaller scale power networks can make important contributions to the wider application of distributed energy resources. They enable distributed energy technologies to be safely and reliably integrated with centralised networks (where they exist), or to operate on their own (in islanded mode) in remote locations not served by centralised power grids. They offer opportunities to improve energy efficiency and can ease the strain on, and cost of developing centralised power grid infrastructure. 1.8 By embedding the necessary intelligence into energy distribution systems (through the use of smart sensor and communication technologies, controllers and intelligent agents), they will be able to utilise, integrate and optimise diverse energy resources, and provide reliable, cost competitive, and environmentally sustainable energy and power to residential, commercial, industrial, and transportation needs. Page 2 of 8
1.9 Such intelligence will enable flexible and interactive exchange of energy and power between distributed systems and centralised energy systems. They will enable price awareness and price sensitivity to be shared with energy suppliers and users across time and space dimensions, creating a sophisticated real-time energy marketplace that is robust, adaptive, interconnected and interactive. 1.10 A*STAR s initiative in Smart Energy Distribution Systems therefore targets the research and development of sensor and communication technologies, power control and distribution devices, advanced software for energy management and the integration of various energy technologies at a system and system of systems level. 1.11 The figures below illustrate the scope, importance and potential application of some of the technologies relevant to Smart Energy Distribution Systems. Generation -------------------------------------------Distribution---------------------------------- Consumption Real-time Simulation and Contingency Analysis Distributed Generation and Integration of Various Energy Tech Self-Healing Wide-Area Protection and Islanding Asset Management and On-Line Equipment Monitoring Demand Response and Dynamic Pricing Participation in Energy Markets Source: EPRI Page 3 of 8
Power line sensornets Wide area monitoring Distributed power line sensing Power line communications Neural nets for system I/D and control Sensors & Sensors & Communication Communication Technologies Technologies Wireless sensor networks Sensorless motor fault detection Unscheduled down-time identification Wide area control & protection Power system operation Protective relaying Power system reliability Advanced Software Congestion management System control and stability with FACTS Power Electronics, Drives & Controls D-FACTS devices Current limiting conductors Fault current limiters Power quality and reliability Neural network controls for power electronics Component failure prediction Active filters Motor Drives Current surge limiters High power inverters & dc/dc converters Source: Georgia Tech 2. OBJECTIVES AND SCOPE OF THE CALL FOR PROPOSAL 2.1 The aim of the call for proposals (CFP) for full research projects is to provide directed funding to advance bottom-up collaborative research activities, in order to allow the research community to enhance their core competencies by addressing key research challenges. 2.2 Proposals should generally include activities such as proof of concept, applications, as well as connecting with and hosting of industry collaborators. Proposals should also demonstrate the building of multi-disciplinary/organisational research teams. 2.3 In this program, SERC will selectively fund projects that address critical technologies in the following 4 priority research thrusts: i. Low cost sensing and communication technologies ii. Power conversion, control, storage, distribution devices and components iii. Advanced software for optimal energy management and distribution iv. Integration of various energy technologies Proposals that address challenges and synergize research efforts across the above four priority thrusts are also encouraged. Page 4 of 8
3. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION 3.1 Low cost sensing and communication technologies Sensing and communication technologies are key to support the development, integration and deployment of flexible, safe, reliable and efficient energy distribution and management systems. 3.2 Power conversion, control, storage, distribution devices and components Development in such devices and components will enable safe, quick-response, temperature-tolerant, high-quality and optimal conversion and distribution of energy. This sub-theme also includes the research of relevant power electronics and superconductors. 3.3 Advanced software for optimal energy management and distribution Advancement in software for optimal energy management and distribution will be critical to the development of a system which is highly reliable, robust, secure and intelligent. The system will also be standards-compatible in terms of its data structures, algorithms, and design & development techniques. 3.4 Integration of various energy technologies Such integrative technologies will enhance the efficient utilization and management of a variety of energy technologies and carriers such as electrical power, heat and cooling. 4. PARTICIPATION 4.1 This Call for Proposals is open to researchers in all local public sector research organisations, universities, polytechnics and SERC-funded research institutes and centres. 4.2 Researchers who are in receipt of SERC intramural or extramural grants in physical sciences and engineering may also apply only if the proposal is a new project. 4.3 Researchers can choose freely the subject of their project (cooperation) within the four given areas and choose the industry partners with whom to collaborate. They should detail how the partners can be identified and engaged. 4.4 It is strongly encouraged that proposals should have multi-disciplinary/ organisational research teams and industry collaborators. 5. SELECTION PROCESS 5.1 A SERC-appointed Expert Review Panel comprising local and international researchers in the field will review and recommend complete proposals for awards. Page 5 of 8
The proposals will be reviewed against the objectives of the Smart Energy Distribution Systems Program, based on the criteria below, in order of importance: i. Relevance of the proposal ii. Innovative merit of the scientific approach iii. Multi-disciplinary/organisational research team iv. Track record of the Principle Investigator (PI) v. Clear outcomes and deliverables vi. Budget requested 5.2 SERC may require proposals to be combined as it sees fit to enhance collaboration, facilitate integration and optimise resources. 5.3 SERC may seek referee reports, written submissions or presentations from some Principle Investigators (PI) to judge, elaborate or clarify aspects of the research approach described in the proposal during the review process. It is expected that the PI s presentation to the SERC appointed Expert Review Panel would occur sometime between October to November 2007. 5.4 Notification of awards will be sent to the respective employing organisations and copied to the Principal Investigator within 4 months of the closing date for submissions. SERC s decision will be final. 6. TERMS AND CONDITIONS 6.1 The duration of the project should not be more than 3 years. The receipt of the project proposals by A*STAR in no way implies any commitment to support the proposed activities. 6.2 Collaborative research activities should be described in a single proposal in which a single award is requested. Awards will be made to the lead local institution. Distribution and allocation of sub-awards to other institutions must be administrated by the PI and his or her institute, and must be clearly indicated. 6.3 Only direct cost items will be supported in each proposal. Direct cost is defined as the incremental cost required to execute the project. This excludes contributions in-kind, depreciation cost of existing equipment, cost of existing manpower as well as building cost. Overheads are NOT supported. 6.4 No support for Ph.D. students will be allocated under the initiative. Applicants are strongly encourage to look towards the A*STAR Graduate Scholarships for funding of Ph.D. students. 6.5 SERC will support up to 100% of each line item qualifying as direct cost. Line items are cost items listed under the three votes expenditure on manpower (EOM), equipment, and other operating expenses (OOE). SERC reserves the right to vary or remove any of the line items during the moderation of the budget proposal. Page 6 of 8
7. SUBMISSION AND FURTHER INFORMATION 7.1 The application forms can be downloaded from SERC s web-based Proposal Administration, Management and Submission (PAMS) system, accessible at http://pams.a-star.edu.sg, under Document Downloads. Online help and instruction are available on PAMS. Please allow pop-ups from the PAMS website. 7.2 All proposed team members must enter and update their profile into the PAMS system. 7.3 Softcopy submission of the proposal must be made through the PAMS system. The deadline for softcopy submission to PAMS is 31 August 2007 at 2pm. A Transmission is Successful pop-up will appear after the softcopy submission. Please complete and attach this document to your hardcopy submission for the necessary endorsements. 7.4 All hardcopy proposals must be submitted through their respective Office of Research/Principal's or Director's Office/Agency Headquarters/RI ED s Office. SERC will not accept proposals from individuals without the appropriate endorsement from his/her employing organisations. This is to ensure that organisational support is clearly associated with the proposed research plan. 7.5 Only FULL proposals will be accepted for review, evaluation and assessment for awards. The deadline for hardcopy submission to SERC is 07 September 2007 at 2pm. 7.6 Proposals and requests for further information should be directed to: Mr Chalathorn Vashirakovit Senior Officer SERC Energy Technology R&D Program Office 30 Biopolis Street, #09-01 Matrix, Singapore 138671 Tel : 6826 6278 Fax : 6779 8061 Email : chalathorn_vashirakovit@a-star.edu.sg 8. TENTATIVE ACTIVITY SCHEDULE FOR THE CALL FOR PROPOSALS No. DATE ACTIVITY 1 03 July 2007 Announcement of Call for Proposals 2 31 Aug 2007 Deadline for submission of complete proposals to SERC via PAMS (softcopies) 3 07 Sep 2007 Deadline for submission of complete and endorsed Page 7 of 8
proposals (hardcopies) to SERC 4 Oct to Nov 2007 Presentation to SERC appointed Expert Review Panel may be required 5 15 Dec 2007 Announcement of successful proposals to proponents 6 02 Jan 2008 Official commencement of projects Page 8 of 8