Renewable Energy from Biosolids & Business Case Support

⁠⁠⁠Tenders are invited for Renewable Energy from Biosolids & Business Case Support.

Hunter Water is currently exploring strategic options for our Biosolids Management Program. Of the opportunities being explored, there is a focus on recovery of renewable energy from biosolids, in line with Hunter Water's strategic vision and aspirational goal to become carbon neutral.

• Service growth until 2050;
• Meet existing service levels;
• Recover resources for beneficial reuse;
• Be adaptive to future change; and
• Maintain flexibility to embrace opportunities for improved  environmental, social and financial outcomes.

Investigations to date suggest moving to a centralised biosolids treatment approach with energy recovery offers both financial and environmental benefits including a reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and greater resilience to potential regulatory and market changes. The financial and environmental benefits could be increased by co-treating biosolids with other organic waste streams currently sent to landfill.

Hunter Water is looking to develop a business case for centralised biosolids treatment with energy recovery. A range of biological and thermal treatment technologies are being considered (including anaerobic digestion, thermal hydrolysis, sludge drying and gasification). Opportunities for co-treatment of biosolids with organic waste feedstocks (e.g. food waste, timber waste, high strength septic waste) are also being explored. A range of potential offtake products will be considered, such as energy products (electricity, gas, heat), solids products (e.g. biosolids/digestate, compost, biochar) and other products (e.g. nutrient rich liquid, hydrogen, carbon dioxide).
A collaborative approach is considered essential for this study. Given advance notice of requirements, the consultant will have access to Hunter Water's project team on an as needs basis to enable effective collaboration. There is an opportunity for the consultant to work in Hunter Water's head office at Honeysuckle to help facilitate the collaborative approach if preferred.
Hunter Water is seeking a partnership approach, with flexibility to adapt the scope of the study as necessary over the duration of the study. It is envisaged a somewhat iterative approach may be useful, to refine thinking as more information becomes known.

Consultants are invited to tender for any parts of the scope within their area of expertise (note Part A compulsory). The Principal may award parts individually, in groups, or as one single consultancy based on the tenders received. The format of the tender award will be informed by the available expertise.
Consultants should specify in their proposal:
Which parts they are applying for;
Pricing for individual parts; and
Whether pricing will change if multiple parts are awarded.

The following information is provided as a guide to the key details of this Request for Tender, however these details are not intended to be exhaustive and must be read in conjunction with the Conditions of Tendering:
(a.) Closing Date and Time
Tenders close at 2pm on Wednesday 5 February 2020, and submissions must be fully received by this time.
(b.) Enquiries
Tender enquiries should be directed to Chris Hannah via the online forum in the first instance.

The contact officer for this RFT is as follows:
Name: Chris Hannah
Email: chris.hannah@hunterwater.com.au

An open pre-tender briefing session will not be held.