SMC/IEC TC114 Marine Renewable Energy REQUEST FOR RESEARCH PROPOSALS for 2013/14 RFP# 2013-001 March 01, 2013 SMC/ IEC TC114 Marine Renewable Energy 1
1. Introduction The Canadian marine renewable energy industry has played a leading and active role in the development of International Standards through the International Electrotechnical Commission Technical Committee 114 (IEC/TC114) for Marine Energy Wave, Tidal and other Water Current Energy Converters since 2007. To ensure that Canada maintains this leading role, it is critical that Canadians engage in research activities that that will accelerate the development of standards and also ensure that Canadian strategic interested are well represented in the international process. This request for proposals is a result of this mandate to maintain a leading role and is supported by the funding received through ecoeii project, RENE-048: Development of Codes and Standards for Marine Energy Wave and Tidal Energy Converters. 2. Scope SMC/IEC TC114 is soliciting proposals from Canadian industry and academic groups who are interested in performing research that will accelerate the development of international Marine energy technical specification and standards currently being developed through IEC/TC 114. 3. Focus of the Research In this request, SMC/IEC TC114 is seeking proposals that focus on the areas that have been deemed to be strategic to Canadian interests. These strategic areas have been identified using the relevance criteria detailed in Appendix A. For the 2013-2014 fiscal year, proposal are requested that cover the following 8 subject areas: 1. Performance assessment of river current energy converters Proposal should focus on specific areas where the method to determine the performance of river current turbines will differ from tidal turbines. Potential research areas may include blockage differences, flow differences, ice, debris, etc. 2. River current resource assessment and characterization Proposals should focus on specific areas where the equipment and methodology used to assess the certain aspects of the resource is not well defined. 3. Performance and reliability of undersea cables and connectors Research in this area should focus on developing solutions to determine the performance and reliability of cables and connectors designed specifically for marine energy. SMC/ IEC TC114 Marine Renewable Energy 2
4. Define geological and geophysical site characteristics (seafloor mapping) Research in this area will focus on developing guidance on geophysical mapping methods, sampling techniques, sediment transport measurement and modeling as well as geo-hazard assessment procedures that are specific to Marine Energy and different than existing methodologies. 5. Commissioning guidelines (wet and dry) Research may address any of the various phases of commissioning including: - Pre-assembly - Pre-transport - Pre-installation - Post-installation 6. Installation guidelines 7. Maintenance strategy guidelines 8. Decommissioning and end of life guidelines 4. Content of Proposal The proponent is requested to complete the Research Proposal Form contained in Appendix B. Additional supporting information can be submitted with the proposal but this is not a mandatory requirement. The proposal must include sufficient detail to allow for a proper evaluation by the Chair s Advisory Group. 5. Evaluation of Proposal The proposals must be submitted to Marine Renewables Canada by March 31 st, 2013. All responses are to be emailed to amanda@marinerenewables.com 6. Schedule. Research projects are to be completed by March 31 st, 2014. 7. Budget The research budget available for the 2013-2014 fiscal year is $121,900. It is anticipated that this funding will be distributed between 2-3 research projects for this year. Additional funding will become available in subsequent years. SMC/ IEC TC114 Marine Renewable Energy 3
Appendix A: Research Relevance Criteria Relevance Criteria: 1. Research that supports and delivers on the overall strategy for the SMC/ IEC TC114. 2. Research supports an existing TC 114 PT and provides a direct contribution to the technical specification development from Canada. A direct linkage should be made to the specification in which there is a gap. 3. Research supports an anticipated TC 114 new work item proposal. A direct linkage should be made to the new work item proposal in question. 4. Research supports an anticipated TC 114 new work item proposal that Canada may wish to propose in the future. 5. Research focuses on users of standards including regulators, test centres, industry, utilities, and certifying bodies. 6. Research supports activities and develops expertise in areas that are strategic to Canada, are in Canada s national interest, including delivering on recommendations from the Canadian Technology Roadmap. Delivery Capacity Criteria: 1. Proponent (or consortium) has experience in the subject matter. 2. Proponent has clear deliverables and completion dates. 3. Proponent (or consortium) has experience in standards, participates in the Canadian Sub-Committee. 4. Proponent and majority of consortium partners are Canadian. SMC/ IEC TC114 Marine Renewable Energy 4
Appendix B: Research Proposal Form Project Proponents / Research Champions: Date RFP Submitted: Research Project Title: 1. Research Project Proposal a) Definition of the research problem: b) Alignment with Research Relevance Criteria: c) Demonstration of Delivery Capacity Criteria: d) What existing or future standard is this research targeted towards? 2. Background a) General: b) Existing Research (Existing References) Description: c) How does this project build on existing research/references: 3. Research Proposal Description a) Scope/Objectives: b) Detailed description of the research to be performed: SMC/ IEC TC114 Marine Renewable Energy 5
c) How does this work develop a strategic advantage to Canada / what is the benefit of work in this area to Canada? d) If more funding became available in subsequent years, how would you modify the project or what additional tasks could be completed? 4. Project Plan a) Estimated Schedule: Provide a schedule of the major milestones or deliverables from Apr 01 2013 Mar 31 2014 b) Estimated Cost: Provide a detailed budget and cost breakdown for the project SMC/ IEC TC114 Marine Renewable Energy 6