Research Innovation and Enterprise (RIE) Funding Initiatives

Waste-to-Energy (WTE) Test-bedding and Demonstration Funding Initiative [Closed for Applications]

Overview
Eligibility Criteria
Evaluation Criteria
Level of Funding Support
Duration
Application Details
Awarded Projects
General Enquiries

 

Overview

The Waste-to-Energy (WTE) Test-bedding and Demonstration Funding Initiative (FI) aims to incentivise industry and IHLs to collaborate and translate their R&D outcomes into pilot scale or demonstration projects.  Applicants may select any suitable premises to test-bed or demonstrate their WTE technologies. NEA encourages applicants to tap on the plug-and-play features of the recently completed Nanyang Technological University’s (NTU) WTE Research Facility (WTERF), which is co-developed and co-funded by NEA.

NEA invites applicants to submit proposals to test-bed or demonstrate technologies related to the thermal waste treatment processes that can potentially be deployed in or be used to complement large-scale WTE plants in Singapore to maximise WTE conversion efficiency and resource recovery rate. Applicants will need to articulate their deployment and commercialisation plans. This Request for Proposal (RFP) supports NEA’s WTE Programme goals of increasing the overall electrical efficiency of commercial-scale WTE plants to 27% or higher through novel and promising technologies, improving process efficiency; and/or reducing the energy consumed in plant processes.

Applicants are to source and secure the necessary premises/facilities to conduct the test-bedding or demonstration projects. Applicants who wish to use the WTERF located at 18 Tuas South Street 11, Singapore (636898) shall first consult NTU to assess the technical feasibility for using the plug-and-play features and interfacing works to execute the project, and to clarify with NTU on the usage charges, other costs and end-user requirements before submitting the proposal.

Figure 1: Plug-and-play features of the NTU WTERF

                                                                                                 
                                                                                    Figure 1: Plug-and-play features of the NTU WTERF

The WTERF has a municipal solid waste treatment capacity of 11.5 tonnes per day and employs a slagging gasification process using fixed-bed updraft gasifier. It receives domestic and mixed waste as feedstock and has the potential to treat other kinds of feedstock such as incineration bottom ash. The schematic diagram of the Facility in Figure 1 shows the plug-and-play features and the possible areas for test-bedding. Please refer to NTU’s WTERF Catalogue” for details. 


 

Eligibility Criteria

Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs), public sector agencies and not-for-profit research entities may qualify for funding support of up to 100% of the approved qualifying direct costs (QDC), plus 20% of QDC for overheads; and Singapore-registered companies and for-profit research entities may qualify for funding support of up to 70% of QDC only, without provision for funding overheads. 


 

Evaluation Criteria

The projects are evaluated on a case-by-case basis with the following evaluation criteria:

S/N Evaluation Criterion Weightage (%)
1 Contribution to the WTE Programme goals 30
2 Commercialisation or deployment plans after the test-bedding or demonstration 25
3 Technical expertise of project team
25
4 Cost effectiveness and reasonableness of budget and project duration
20
Total Score 100

 

Level of Funding Support

The approved funding support will be considered on a case-by-case basis and funding will be made as reimbursements. Applicants are strongly encouraged to seek industry collaborators and work with them to scope out their proposals to ensure the projects are of interest and relevance to the industry. Proposals that have secured industry spending and participation, especially those with proofs of collaboration agreements, will be viewed more favourably, all other things being equal. The following are examples of items that can be considered for funding support.

a.       Design works and customisation

b.       Fabrication of equipment and materials

c.       Installation and commissioning

d.       Data acquisition and analytical instrumentation

e.       Removal and reinstatement works

For Applicants who wish to use the WTERF, please note that this FI is unable to fund the usage or rental fees charged by NTU for using the WTERF


 

Duration

Applicants should endeavour to complete their projects within two years. Shorter timelines are preferred. The reasonableness of the duration of the projects proposed will be taken into consideration during the evaluation stage on a case-by-case basis.


 

Application Details

Research Areas To request for proposals to test-bed or demonstrate technologies related to the thermal waste treatment processes
that can potentially be deployed in or complement large scale WTE plants in Singapore to maximise WTE conversion
efficiency and resource recovery. The areas include but are not limited to the following:

1) System integration of components or sub-systems to reap energy recovery synergy

2) On-site production of oxygen enriched air (to above 35% concentration by volume) using novel gas separation techniques

3) Upgrade and utilisation of synthesis gas (syngas) from the waste gasification process for energy generation, fuel or chemical feedstock production

4) Low grade heat recovery techniques to improve overall energy recovery efficiency

5) Novel high efficiency methods for treatment of flue gas, e.g. neutralisation of acidic salts, dioxins and furans, etc.

6) Treatment and/or utilisation of by-products such as flue gas, fly ash and slag generated from WTE process

Award of Funding The evaluation of proposals may take 5 months from the close of this RFP, and thereafter the notification of award will be issued to the successful applicant(s).

Submission Details Please email your completed application using the format provided in “(2) Instructions and Templates for Applicants” to NEA via WTE_TD_FI@nea.gov.sg by 10 March 2020, 11.00 am Singapore time. You should source for and secure the necessary premises/facilities for the test-bedding or demonstration before submitting the proposal to us. Applicants who wish to use the Nanyang Technological University (NTU) WTE Research Facility (WTERF) shall first consult NTU to assess the technical feasibility of using the plug-and-play features and the extent of interfacing works required to execute the project, and to clarify on the usage charges, other costs and end-user requirements. Applicants who intend to seek funding support from the test-bedding and demonstration funding initiative are to incorporate this information into the proposal to be submitted to NEA. Refer to this webpage for NTU's "WTERF Catalogue" : https://ebook.ntu.edu.sg/20191205-waste-to-energy-research-facility-catalogue.html 

Application Forms NOTE: The project funding application shall be submitted to WTE_TD_FI@nea.gov.sg. All applicants shall be bounded by “(5) Guidelines for the Management of Competitive RnD Grants”, and “(6) Terms and Conditions for Competitive Grants”.

Please note the updated versions of the abovementioned two documents, which shall take effect from 1 Jan 2020. GST computation errors have also been corrected in "(4) Annex 3 Funding Details" on 20 Feb 2020.


 

Awarded Projects


 

General Enquiries

1. Please contact WTETD_Grant_Secretariat@nea.gov.sg if you require further information.
 
2. Please contact Helpdesk@researchgrant.gov.sg if you require assistance with IGMS. Alternatively, refer to the training manual through https://researchgrant.gov.sg/Pages/TrainingGuides.aspx
 
3. Please refer to this webpage “Whistleblowing for RIE Funding Initiatives” to report any incidents of potential abuse of grant, fraud or misconduct arising from NEA administered Research, Innovation and Enterprise (RIE) Funding Initiatives, funded by the National Research Foundation (NRF).