Please use the form at the bottom of this page to submit your 1 page proposal abstract.

Introduction
The National Oilheat Research Alliance is seeking liquid-fueled product development and or new technology proposal abstracts to accelerate the decarbonization of liquid fueled heated homes. All research and development proposal abstracts will be held in confidence. No minimum or maximum project funding amount per project award has been established. This is an open call for Abstract Proposals and will remain active until NORA publicly closed the process.

Background
The heating oil industry is facing a new challenge that must be addressed. State and local governments in oil heat regions are developing policies to achieve long term reductions in greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). Most northeastern states have a plan and some already have been codified into law. Generally, the plans commit to reductions of greenhouse gases of 50% by 2030 and 80% reductions by 2050, some even call for 100 % reductions. These policies include the elimination of heating with oil. One very popular approach to achieve this is converting building heating to electric cold climate heat pumps, powered by the future renewable electric grid (wind, water and solar with battery storage). If the heating oil industry is to remain part of the heating market of the future, it must develop advanced biofuel solutions now, and transition to the “renewable liquid fuels” industry.

Areas of Interest
The industry has already identified the following areas of interest:

  1. Ability to go to 100% a low carbon liquid fuel (LCLF) – biodiesel, cellulosic or another advanced biofuel, and blends thereof LCLF. Seeking fuels, components, and burners for NORA testing and ultimate commercialization.
  2. Research topics covering biofuel blending, marketer terminal storage, delivery, onsite storage
    and combustion.
  3. Develop modeling and a report that demonstrates that LCLF appliances can be a better solution than electric heat pumps for residential heating and domestic hot water (comfort, economics, carbon reduction, resilience and grid relief).
  4. Analyze and report on the 2030 and 2050 biofuel supply and delivery infrastructure to the Pacific NW, Upper Midwest, Mid-Atlantic and New England regions versus the potential renewable liquid fuel demand assuming B50 by 2030 and B100 by 2050.
  5. Demonstrate and field test integration of the latest generation of smart thermostats with boiler applications.
  6. Demonstrate and field test self-diagnostic burners and or appliances that provide trend analysis, component approaching failure and troubleshooting failure analysis.
  7. Develop an analytical economic optimization model and report covering the sizing and operation of adding a cold climate heat pump to a non-condensing boiler providing radiant heating and DHW,
    as well as a condensing boiler providing radiant floor heating and DHW.
  8. Develop advanced heating technologies including LCLF heat pumps focusing on efficiency and
    zero net carbon.
  9. Develop off-grid or grid failure heating systems that can operate in absence of power using batteries
    or generators or other means.

Proper Response
NORA is seeking brief project proposal abstracts (1 page/attache below) containing enough information to understand exactly what is being proposed, timeline cost that NORA is being asked to pay, proposed cost share and how the proposed research and or development will be an improvement. Please be specific especially regarding the improvement question.

NORA Review
NORA Staff and the Executive Committee will review all meritorious project proposal abstracts and successful submissions will be informed that they should prepare a formal proposal. Unsuccessful submissions will be informed that their proposal was not selected.

Please indicate level of confidentiality and provide a draft non-disclosure agreement if you believe it is necessary and appropriate for the NORA review process