The project investigates the current status of smart and connected energy management in water and wastewater utilities. The applied research project will develop guidance for implementing smart and connected energy management.
Sponsor: Water Research Foundation
Performance Period: 2025.11 - 2027.7
Collaborator: Purdue University, Water Research Engineering, Water AI Engineering
Funding: $150,000.
Role: PI
This project will develop a practical resource to help water utilities understand, evaluate, and manage the impacts of data center development. The resource will address key utility considerations, including water demand, wastewater discharge, infrastructure capacity, financial planning, drought resilience, cost allocation, and community impacts. As data centers expand to support cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and other digital services, the project will provide utilities with tools and approaches to support informed decision-making, responsible growth, and long-term system resilience.
Sponsor: American Water Works Association
Performance Period: 2026.2 - 2026.7
Collaborators: Carollo Engineers' Private Service Group and Utility Advisory Group.
Funding: $35,000.
Role: Co-PI on water and wastewater utility survey.
Carollo Engineers is collaborating with the University of Houston to develop a biotechnology-driven platform that enables the selective and sustainable recovery of critical metals, including lithium, cobalt, nickel, dysprosium, and neodymium.
Sponsor: DOE ARPA-E RECOVER
Performance Period: 2026.5 - 2029.5
Collaborators: University of Houston, Purdue University, Centrisys
Funding:
Role: PI.