Collapse to view only § 17384. Smart grid technology research, development, and demonstration
- § 17381. Statement of policy on modernization of electricity grid
- § 17382. Smart grid system report
- § 17383. Smart Grid Advisory Committee and Smart Grid Task Force
- § 17384. Smart grid technology research, development, and demonstration
- § 17384a. Smart grid modeling, visualization, architecture, and controls
- § 17385. Smart grid interoperability framework
- § 17386. Federal matching fund for smart grid investment costs
- § 17387. Integrated energy systems
- § 17388. Advisory committee
- § 17389. Technology demonstration on the distribution grid
- § 17390. Voluntary model pathways
- § 17391. Voluntary state, regional, and local electricity distribution planning
- § 17392. Micro-grid and integrated micro-grid systems program
§ 17381. Statement of policy on modernization of electricity grid
It is the policy of the United States to support the modernization of the Nation’s electricity transmission and distribution system to maintain a reliable and secure electricity infrastructure that can meet future demand growth and to achieve each of the following, which together characterize a Smart Grid:
(1) Increased use of digital information and controls technology to improve reliability, security, and efficiency of the electric grid.
(2) Dynamic optimization of grid operations and resources, with full cyber-security.
(3) Deployment and integration of distributed resources and generation, including renewable resources.
(4) Development and incorporation of demand response, demand-side resources, and energy-efficiency resources.
(5) Deployment of “smart” technologies (real-time, automated, interactive technologies that optimize the physical operation of appliances and consumer devices) for metering, communications concerning grid operations and status, and distribution automation.
(6) Integration of “smart” appliances and consumer devices.
(7) Deployment and integration of advanced electricity storage and peak-shaving technologies, including plug-in electric and hybrid electric vehicles, and thermal-storage air conditioning.
(8) Provision to consumers of timely information and control options.
(9) Development of standards for communication and interoperability of appliances and equipment connected to the electric grid, including the infrastructure serving the grid.
(10) Identification and lowering of unreasonable or unnecessary barriers to adoption of smart grid technologies, practices, and services.
(Pub. L. 110–140, title XIII, § 1301, Dec. 19, 2007, 121 Stat. 1783.)
§ 17382. Smart grid system report
The Secretary, acting through the Assistant Secretary of the Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability (referred to in this section as the “OEDER”) and through the Smart Grid Task Force established in section 17383 of this title, shall, after consulting with any interested individual or entity as appropriate, no later than 1 year after December 19, 2007, and every 2 years thereafter, report to Congress concerning the status of smart grid deployments nationwide and any regulatory or government barriers to continued deployment. The report shall provide the current status and prospects of smart grid development, including information on technology penetration, communications network capabilities, costs, and obstacles. It may include recommendations for State and Federal policies or actions helpful to facilitate the transition to a smart grid. To the extent appropriate, it should take a regional perspective. In preparing this report, the Secretary shall solicit advice and contributions from the Smart Grid Advisory Committee created in section 17383 of this title; from other involved Federal agencies including but not limited to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“Commission”), the National Institute of Standards and Technology (“Institute”), and the Department of Homeland Security; and from other stakeholder groups not already represented on the Smart Grid Advisory Committee.
(Pub. L. 110–140, title XIII, § 1302, Dec. 19, 2007, 121 Stat. 1784.)
§ 17383. Smart Grid Advisory Committee and Smart Grid Task Force
(a) Smart Grid Advisory Committee
(1) Establishment
(2) Mission
(3) Applicability of chapter 10 of title 5
(b) Smart Grid Task Force
(1) Establishment
(2) Mission
(c) Authorization
(Pub. L. 110–140, title XIII, § 1303, Dec. 19, 2007, 121 Stat. 1784; Pub. L. 117–286, § 4(a)(281), Dec. 27, 2022, 136 Stat. 4336.)
§ 17384. Smart grid technology research, development, and demonstration
(a) Power grid digital information technology
The Secretary, in consultation with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and other appropriate agencies, electric utilities, the States, and other stakeholders, shall carry out a research, development, and demonstration program—
(1) to develop advanced techniques for measuring peak load reductions and energy-efficiency savings from smart metering, demand response, distributed generation, and electricity storage systems;
(2) to investigate means for demand response, distributed generation, and storage to provide ancillary services;
(3) to conduct research to advance the use of wide-area measurement and control networks, including data mining, visualization, advanced computing, and secure and dependable communications in a highly-distributed environment;
(4) to test new reliability technologies, including those concerning communications network capabilities, in a grid control room environment against a representative set of local outage and wide area blackout scenarios;
(5) to identify communications network capacity needed to implement advanced technologies.1
1 So in original. The period probably should be a semicolon.
(6) to investigate the feasibility of a transition to time-of-use and real-time electricity pricing;
(7) to develop algorithms for use in electric transmission system software applications;
(8) to promote the use of underutilized electricity generation capacity in any substitution of electricity for liquid fuels in the transportation system of the United States; and
(9) in consultation with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, to propose interconnection protocols to enable electric utilities to access electricity stored in vehicles to help meet peak demand loads.
(b) Smart grid regional demonstration initiative
(1) In general
(2) Goals
The goals of the Initiative shall be—
(A) to demonstrate the potential benefits of concentrated investments in advanced grid technologies on a regional grid;
(B) to facilitate the commercial transition from the current power transmission and distribution system technologies to advanced technologies;
(C) to facilitate the integration of advanced technologies in existing electric networks to improve system performance, power flow control, and reliability;
(D) to demonstrate protocols and standards that allow for the measurement and validation of the energy savings and fossil fuel emission reductions associated with the installation and use of energy efficiency and demand response technologies and practices;
(E) to investigate differences in each region and regulatory environment regarding best practices in implementing smart grid technologies; and
(F) to encourage the commercial application of advanced distribution automation technologies that exert intelligent control over electrical grid functions at the distribution level to improve system resilience.
(3) Demonstration projects
(A) In general
(B) Cooperation
(C) Federal share of cost of technology investments
(D) Ineligibility for grants
(E) Availability of data
(F) Open protocols and standards
(c) Authorization of appropriations
There are authorized to be appropriated—
(1) to carry out subsection (a), such sums as are necessary for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2012; and
(2) to carry out subsection (b), such sums as may be necessary.
(Pub. L. 110–140, title XIII, § 1304, Dec. 19, 2007, 121 Stat. 1786; Pub. L. 111–5, div. A, title IV, § 405(1)–(4), Feb. 17, 2009, 123 Stat. 143, 144; Pub. L. 116–260, div. Z, title VIII, § 8001, Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 2578.)
§ 17384a. Smart grid modeling, visualization, architecture, and controls
(a) In general
(b) Modeling research and development
The Secretary shall support development of models of emerging technologies and systems to facilitate the secure and reliable design, planning, and operation of the electric grid for use by industry stakeholders. In particular, the Secretary shall support development of—
(1) models to analyze and predict the effects of adverse physical and cyber events on the electric grid;
(2) coupled models of electrical, physical, and cyber systems;
(3) models of existing and emerging technologies being deployed on the electric grid due to projected changes in the electric generation mix and loads, for a variety of regional characteristics; and
(4) integrated models of the communications, transmission, distribution, and other interdependent systems for existing, new, and emerging technologies.
(c) Situational awareness research and development
(1) In general
(2) Data use
(3) Severe events
(d) Operation and controls research and development
The Secretary shall conduct research to develop improvements to the operation and controls of the electric grid, in coordination with industry partners. Such activities shall include—
(1) a training facility or facilities to allow grid operators to gain operational experience with advanced grid control concepts and technologies;
(2) development of cost-effective advanced operation and control concepts and technologies, such as adaptive islanding, dynamic line rating systems, power flow controllers, network topology optimization, smart circuit breakers, intelligent load shedding, and fault-tolerant control system architectures;
(3) development of real-time control concepts using artificial intelligence and machine learning for improved electric grid resilience; and
(4) utilization of advanced data analytics including load forecasting, power flow modeling, equipment failure prediction, resource optimization, risk analysis, and decision analysis.
(e) Interoperability research and development
(f) Underground transmission and distribution lines
In carrying out the program under subsection (a), the Secretary shall support research and development on underground transmission and distribution lines. This shall include research on—
(1) methods for lowering the costs of underground transmission and distribution lines, including through novel installation techniques and materials considerations;
(2) techniques to improve the lifespan of underground transmission and distribution lines;
(3) wireless sensors to improve safety of underground transmission and distribution lines and to predict, identify, detect, and transmit information about degradation and faults; and
(4) methods for improving the resilience and reliability of underground transmission and distribution lines, including technologies and techniques that can mitigate the impact of flooding, storm surge, and seasonal climate cycles on degradation of and damage to underground transmission and distribution lines.
(g) Grid architecture and scenario development
(1) In general
(2) Architecture
In supporting the development of model grid architectures, the Secretary shall—
(A) analyze a variety of grid architecture scenarios that range from minor upgrades to existing transmission grid infrastructure to scenarios that involve the replacement of significant portions of existing transmission grid infrastructure;
(B) analyze the effects of the increasing proliferation of renewable and other zero emissions energy generation sources, increasing use of distributed resources owned by non-utility entities, and the use of digital and automated controls not managed by grid operators;
(C) include a variety of new and emerging distribution grid technologies, including distributed energy resources, electric vehicle charging stations, distribution automation technologies, energy storage, and renewable energy sources;
(D) analyze the effects of local load balancing and other forms of decentralized control;
(E) analyze the effects of changes to grid architectures resulting from modernizing electric grid systems, including communications, controls, markets, consumer choice, emergency response, electrification, and cybersecurity concerns; and
(F) develop integrated grid architectures that incorporate system resilience for cyber, physical, and communications systems.
(3) Market structure
(h) Computing resources and data coordination research and development
In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall—
(1) leverage existing computing resources at the National Laboratories; and
(2) develop voluntary standards for data taxonomies and communication protocols in coordination with public and private sector stakeholders.
(i) Information sharing
(j) Resilience
(Pub. L. 110–140, title XIII, § 1304A, as added Pub. L. 116–260, div. Z, title VIII, § 8002, Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 2579.)
§ 17385. Smart grid interoperability framework
(a) Interoperability frameworkThe Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology shall have primary responsibility to coordinate the development of a framework that includes protocols and model standards for information management to achieve interoperability of smart grid devices and systems. Such protocols and standards shall further align policy, business, and technology approaches in a manner that would enable all electric resources, including demand-side resources, to contribute to an efficient, reliable electricity network. In developing such protocols and standards—
(1) the Director shall seek input and cooperation from the Commission, OEDER and its Smart Grid Task Force, the Smart Grid Advisory Committee, other relevant Federal and State agencies; and
(2) the Director shall also solicit input and cooperation from private entities interested in such protocols and standards, including but not limited to the Gridwise Architecture Council, the International Electrical and Electronics Engineers, the National Electric Reliability Organization recognized by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and National Electrical Manufacturer’s Association.
(b) Scope of frameworkThe framework developed under subsection (a) shall be flexible, uniform and technology neutral, including but not limited to technologies for managing smart grid information, and designed—
(1) to accommodate traditional, centralized generation and transmission resources and consumer distributed resources, including distributed generation, renewable generation, energy storage, energy efficiency, and demand response and enabling devices and systems;
(2) to be flexible to incorporate—
(A) regional and organizational differences; and
(B) technological innovations;
(3) to consider the use of voluntary uniform standards for certain classes of mass-produced electric appliances and equipment for homes and businesses that enable customers, at their election and consistent with applicable State and Federal laws, and are manufactured with the ability to respond to electric grid emergencies and demand response signals by curtailing all, or a portion of, the electrical power consumed by the appliances or equipment in response to an emergency or demand response signal, including through—
(A) load reduction to reduce total electrical demand;
(B) adjustment of load to provide grid ancillary services; and
(C) in the event of a reliability crisis that threatens an outage, short-term load shedding to help preserve the stability of the grid; and
(4) such voluntary standards should incorporate appropriate manufacturer lead time.1
1 So in original. Does not fit with subsec. (b) introductory provisions.
(c) Timing of framework development
(d) Standards for interoperability in Federal jurisdiction
(e) Authorization
(Pub. L. 110–140, title XIII, § 1305, Dec. 19, 2007, 121 Stat. 1787.)
§ 17386. Federal matching fund for smart grid investment costs
(a) Matching fund
(b) Qualifying investmentsQualifying Smart Grid investments may include any of the following made on or after November 15, 2021:
(1) In the case of appliances covered for purposes of establishing energy conservation standards under part B of title III of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 (42 U.S.C. 6291 et seq.), the documented expenditures incurred by a manufacturer of such appliances associated with purchasing or designing, creating the ability to manufacture, and manufacturing and installing for one calendar year, internal devices that allow the appliance to engage in Smart Grid functions.
(2) In the case of specialized electricity-using equipment, including motors and drivers, installed in industrial or commercial applications, the documented expenditures incurred by its owner or its manufacturer of installing devices or modifying that equipment to engage in Smart Grid functions.
(3) In the case of transmission and distribution equipment fitted with monitoring and communications devices to enable smart grid functions, the documented expenditures incurred by the electric utility to purchase and install such monitoring and communications devices.
(4) In the case of metering devices, sensors, control devices, and other devices integrated with and attached to an electric utility system or retail distributor or marketer of electricity that are capable of engaging in Smart Grid functions, the documented expenditures incurred by the electric utility, distributor, or marketer and its customers to purchase and install such devices.
(5) In the case of software that enables devices or computers to engage in Smart Grid functions, the documented purchase costs of the software.
(6) In the case of entities that operate or coordinate operations of regional electric grids, the documented expenditures for purchasing and installing such equipment that allows Smart Grid functions to operate and be combined or coordinated among multiple electric utilities and between that region and other regions.
(7) In the case of persons or entities other than electric utilities owning and operating a distributed electricity generator, the documented expenditures of enabling that generator to be monitored, controlled, or otherwise integrated into grid operations and electricity flows on the grid utilizing Smart Grid functions.
(8) In the case of electric or hybrid-electric vehicles, the documented expenses for devices that allow the vehicle to engage in Smart Grid functions (but not the costs of electricity storage for the vehicle).
(9) In the case of data analytics that enable software to engage in Smart Grid functions, the documented purchase costs of the data analytics.
(10) In the case of buildings, the documented expenses for devices and software, including for installation, that allow buildings to engage in demand flexibility or Smart Grid functions.
(11) In the case of utility communications, operational fiber and wireless broadband communications networks to enable data flow between distribution system components.
(12) In the case of advanced transmission technologies such as dynamic line rating, flow control devices, advanced conductors, network topology optimization, or other hardware, software, and associated protocols applied to existing transmission facilities that increase the operational transfer capacity of a transmission network, the documented expenditures to purchase and install those advanced transmission technologies.
(13) In the case of extreme weather or natural disasters, the ability to redirect or shut off power to minimize blackouts and avoid further damage.
(14) The documented expenditures related to purchasing and implementing Smart Grid functions in such other cases as the Secretary shall identify.
(c) Investments not includedQualifying Smart Grid investments do not include any of the following:
(1) Investments or expenditures for Smart Grid technologies, devices, or equipment that utilize specific tax credits or deductions under the Internal Revenue Code, as amended.
(2) Expenditures for electricity generation, transmission, or distribution infrastructure or equipment not directly related to enabling Smart Grid functions.
(3) After the final date for State consideration of the Smart Grid Information Standard under section 2621(d)(17) 1
1 See References in Text note below.
of title 16, an investment that is not in compliance with such standard.(4) After the development and publication by the Institute of protocols and model standards for interoperability of smart grid devices and technologies, an investment that fails to incorporate any of such protocols or model standards.
(5) Expenditures for physical interconnection of generators or other devices to the grid except those that are directly related to enabling Smart Grid functions.
(6) Expenditures for ongoing salaries, benefits, or personnel costs not incurred in the initial installation, training, or start up of smart grid functions.
(7) Expenditures for travel, lodging, meals or other personal costs.
(8) Ongoing or routine operation, billing, customer relations, security, and maintenance expenditures.
(9) Such other expenditures that the Secretary determines not to be Qualifying Smart Grid Investments by reason of the lack of the ability to perform Smart Grid functions or lack of direct relationship to Smart Grid functions.
(d) Smart grid functionsThe term “smart grid functions” means any of the following:
(1) The ability to develop, store, send and receive digital information concerning electricity use, costs, prices, time of use, nature of use, storage, or other information relevant to device, grid, or utility operations, to or from or by means of the electric utility system, through one or a combination of devices and technologies.
(2) The ability to develop, store, send and receive digital information concerning electricity use, costs, prices, time of use, nature of use, storage, or other information relevant to device, grid, or utility operations to or from a computer or other control device.
(3) The ability to measure or monitor electricity use as a function of time of day, power quality characteristics such as voltage level, current, cycles per second, or source or type of generation and to store, synthesize or report that information by digital means.
(4) The ability to sense and localize disruptions or changes in power flows on the grid and communicate such information instantaneously and automatically for purposes of enabling automatic protective responses to sustain reliability and security of grid operations.
(5) The ability to detect, prevent, communicate with regard to, respond to, or recover from system security threats, including cyber-security threats and terrorism, using digital information, media, and devices.
(6) The ability of any appliance or machine to respond to such signals, measurements, or communications automatically or in a manner programmed by its owner or operator without independent human intervention.
(7) The ability to use digital information to operate functionalities on the electric utility grid that were previously electro-mechanical or manual.
(8) The ability to use digital controls to manage and modify electricity demand, enable congestion management, assist in voltage control, provide operating reserves, and provide frequency regulation.
(9) The ability to use data analytics and software-as-service to provide flexibility by improving the visibility of the electrical system to grid operators that can help quickly rebalance the electrical system with autonomous controls.
(10) The ability to facilitate the aggregation or integration of distributed energy resources to serve as assets for the grid.
(11) The ability to provide energy storage to meet fluctuating electricity demand, provide voltage support, and integrate intermittent generation sources, including vehicle-to-grid technologies.
(12) The ability of hardware, software, and associated protocols applied to existing transmission facilities to increase the operational transfer capacity of a transmission network.
(13) The ability to anticipate and mitigate impacts of extreme weather or natural disasters on grid resiliency.
(14) The ability to facilitate the integration of renewable energy resources, electric vehicle charging infrastructure, and vehicle-to-grid technologies.
(15) The ability to reliably meet increased demand from electric vehicles and the electrification of appliances and other sectors.
(16) Such other functions as the Secretary may identify as being necessary or useful to the operation of a Smart Grid.
(e) Procedures and rules
(1) The Secretary shall, within 60 days after February 17, 2009, by means of a notice of intent and subsequent solicitation of grant proposals—
(A) establish procedures by which applicants can obtain grants of not more than one-half of their documented costs;
(B) require as a condition of receiving funding under this subsection that demonstration projects utilize open protocols and standards (including Internet-based protocols and standards) if available and appropriate;
(C) establish procedures to ensure that there is no duplication or multiple payment for the same investment or costs, that the grant goes to the party making the actual expenditures for the qualifying Smart Grid investments, and that the grants made have a significant effect in encouraging and facilitating the development of a smart grid;
(D) establish procedures to ensure there will be public records of grants made, recipients, and qualifying Smart Grid investments which have received grants; and
(E) establish procedures to provide advance payment of moneys up to the full amount of the grant award.
(2) The Secretary shall have discretion and exercise reasonable judgment to deny grants for investments that do not qualify.
(f) Authorization of appropriations
(Pub. L. 110–140, title XIII, § 1306, Dec. 19, 2007, 121 Stat. 1789; Pub. L. 111–5, div. A, title IV, § 405(5)–(8), Feb. 17, 2009, 123 Stat. 144; Pub. L. 117–58, div. D, title I, § 40107(a), Nov. 15, 2021, 135 Stat. 940.)
§ 17387. Integrated energy systems
(a) In generalNot later than 180 days after December 27, 2020, the Secretary shall establish a research, development, and demonstration program to develop cost-effective integrated energy systems, including—
(1) development of computer modeling to design different configurations of integrated energy systems and to optimize system operation;
(2) research on system integration needed to plan, design, build, and operate integrated energy systems, including interconnection requirements with the electric grid;
(3) development of integrated energy systems for various applications, including—
(A) thermal energy generation and storage for buildings and manufacturing;
(B) electricity storage coupled with energy generation;
(C) desalination;
(D) production of liquid and gaseous fuels; and
(E) production of chemicals such as ammonia and ethylene;
(4) development of testing facilities for integrated energy systems; and
(5) research on incorporation of various technologies for integrated energy systems, including nuclear energy, renewable energy, storage, and carbon capture, utilization, and sequestration technologies.
(b) Strategic plan
(1) In generalNot later than 1 year after December 27, 2020, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate a strategic plan that identifies opportunities, challenges, and standards needed for the development and commercial application of integrated energy systems. The strategic plan shall include—
(A) analysis of the potential benefits of development of integrated electric systems on the electric grid;
(B) analysis of the potential contributions of integrated energy systems to different grid architecture scenarios;
(C) research and development goals for various integrated energy systems, including those identified in subsection (a);
(D) assessment of policy and market barriers to the adoption of integrated energy systems;
(E) analysis of the technical and economic feasibility of adoption of different integrated energy systems; and
(F) a 10-year roadmap to guide the program established under subsection (a).
(2) Updates
(c) Program implementationIn carrying out the research, development, demonstration, and commercial application aims of subsection (a), the Secretary shall—
(1) implement the recommendations set forth in the strategic plan in subsection (b);
(2) coordinate across all relevant program offices at the Department, including—
(A) the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy;
(B) the Office of Nuclear Energy; and
(C) the Office of Fossil Energy;
(3) leverage existing programs and resources of the Department; and
(4) prioritize activities that accelerate the development of integrated electricity generation, storage, and distribution systems with net zero greenhouse gas emissions.
(d) Integrated energy system defined
(Pub. L. 110–140, title XIII, § 1310, as added
§ 17388. Advisory committee
(a) In general
(b) Responsibility
The Secretary shall annually solicit from the advisory committee—
(1) comments to identify grid modernization technology needs;
(2) an assessment of the progress of the research activities on grid modernization; and
(3) assistance in annually updating grid modernization technology roadmaps.
(Pub. L. 110–140, title XIII, § 1311, as added Pub. L. 116–260, div. Z, title VIII, § 8005, Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 2585.)
§ 17389. Technology demonstration on the distribution grid
(a) In general
(b) Eligible projectsTo be eligible for a grant under subsection (a), a project shall—
(1) be designed to improve the performance and efficiency of the future electric grid, while ensuring the continued provision of safe, secure, reliable, and affordable power; and
(2) demonstrate—
(A) secure integration and management of two or more energy resources, including distributed energy generation, combined heat and power, micro-grids, energy storage, electric vehicles, energy efficiency, demand response, and intelligent loads; and
(B) secure integration and interoperability of communications and information technologies.
(Pub. L. 116–260, div. Z, title VIII, § 8007, Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 2586.)
§ 17390. Voluntary model pathways
(a) Establishment of voluntary model pathways
(1) EstablishmentNot later than 90 days after December 27, 2020, the Secretary of Energy (in this section referred to as the “Secretary”), in consultation with the steering committee established under paragraph (3), shall initiate the development of voluntary model pathways for modernizing the electric grid through a collaborative, public-private effort that—
(A) produces illustrative policy pathways encompassing a diverse range of technologies that can be adapted for State and regional applications by regulators and policymakers;
(B) facilitates the modernization of the electric grid and associated communications networks to achieve the objectives described in paragraph (2);
(C) ensures a reliable, resilient, affordable, safe, and secure electric grid; and
(D) acknowledges and accounts for different priorities, electric systems, and rate structures across States and regions.
(2) ObjectivesThe pathways established under paragraph (1) shall facilitate achievement of as many of the following objectives as practicable:
(A) Near real-time situational awareness of the electric system.
(B) Data visualization.
(C) Advanced monitoring and control of the advanced electric grid.
(D) Enhanced certainty of policies for investment in the electric grid.
(E) Increased innovation.
(F) Greater consumer empowerment.
(G) Enhanced grid resilience, reliability, and robustness.
(H) Improved—
(i) integration of distributed energy resources;
(ii) interoperability of the electric system; and
(iii) predictive modeling and capacity forecasting.
(I) Reduced cost of service for consumers.
(J) Diversification of generation sources.
(3) Steering committeeNot later than 90 days after December 27, 2020, the Secretary shall establish a steering committee to help develop the pathways under paragraph (1), to be composed of members appointed by the Secretary, consisting of persons with appropriate expertise representing a diverse range of interests in the public, private, and academic sectors, including representatives of—
(A) the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission;
(B) the National Laboratories;
(C) States;
(D) State regulatory authorities;
(E) transmission organizations;
(F) representatives of all sectors of the electric power industry;
(G) institutions of higher education;
(H) independent research institutes; and
(I) other entities.
(b) Technical assistance
(Pub. L. 116–260, div. Z, title VIII, § 8008, Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 2586.)
§ 17391. Voluntary state, regional, and local electricity distribution planning
(a) In general
On the request of a State, regional organization, or electric utility, the Secretary of Energy shall provide assistance to States, regional organizations, and electric utilities to facilitate the development of State, regional, and local electricity distribution plans by—
(1) conducting a resource assessment and analysis of future demand and distribution requirements; and
(2) developing open source tools for State, regional, and local planning and operations.
(b) Risk and security analysis
The assessment under subsection (a)(1) shall include—
(1) the evaluation of the physical security, cybersecurity, and associated communications needs of an advanced distribution management system and the integration of distributed energy resources; and
(2) advanced use of grid architecture to analyze risks in an all-hazards approach that includes communications infrastructure, control systems architecture, and power systems architecture.
(c) Designation
The information collected for the assessment and analysis under subsection (a)(1)—
(1) shall be considered to be critical electric infrastructure information under section 824o–1 of title 16; and
(2) shall only be released in compliance with regulations implementing that section.
(d) Technical assistance
For the purpose of assisting in the development of State and regional electricity distribution plans, the Secretary shall provide technical assistance to—
(1) States;
(2) regional reliability entities; and
(3) other distribution asset owners and operators.
(e) Withdrawal
(f) Effect
(Pub. L. 116–260, div. Z, title VIII, § 8010, Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 2588.)
§ 17392. Micro-grid and integrated micro-grid systems program
(a) DefinitionsIn this section:
(1) Integrated micro-grid systemThe term “integrated micro-grid system” means a micro-grid system that—
(A) comprises generation from both conventional and renewable energy resources; and
(B) may use grid-scale energy storage.
(2) Isolated community
(3) Micro-grid system
(4) Rural electric cooperative
(5) Strategy
(b) Program
(1) EstablishmentThe Secretary of Energy (in this section referred to as the “Secretary”) shall establish a program to promote the development of—
(A) integrated micro-grid systems for isolated communities; and
(B) micro-grid systems to increase the resilience of critical infrastructure.
(2) RequirementsThe program established under paragraph (1) shall—
(A) develop a feasibility assessment for—
(i) integrated micro-grid systems in isolated communities; and
(ii) micro-grid systems to enhance the resilience of critical infrastructure;
(B) develop an implementation strategy, in accordance with paragraph (3), to promote the development of integrated micro-grid systems for isolated communities, particularly for those communities exposed to extreme weather conditions and high energy costs, including electricity, space heating and cooling, and transportation;
(C) develop an implementation strategy to promote the development of micro-grid systems that increase the resilience of critical infrastructure; and
(D) carry out cost-shared demonstration projects, based upon the strategies developed under subparagraph (B) that include the development of physical and cybersecurity plans to take appropriate measures to protect and secure the electric grid.
(3) Requirements for strategyIn developing the strategy under paragraph (2)(B), the Secretary shall consider—
(A) opportunities for improving the efficiency of existing integrated micro-grid systems;
(B) the capacity of the local workforce to operate, maintain, and repair a integrated micro-grid system as well as opportunities to improve that capacity;
(C) leveraging existing capacity within local or regional research organizations, such as organizations based at institutions of higher education, to support development of integrated micro-grid systems, including by testing novel components and systems prior to field deployment;
(D) the need for basic infrastructure to develop, deploy, and sustain a integrated micro-grid system;
(E) input of traditional knowledge from local leaders of isolated communities in the development of a integrated micro-grid system;
(F) the impact of integrated micro-grid systems on defense, homeland security, economic development, and environmental interests;
(G) opportunities to leverage existing interagency coordination efforts and recommendations for new interagency coordination efforts to minimize unnecessary overhead, mobilization, and other project costs; and
(H) any other criteria the Secretary determines appropriate.
(c) CollaborationThe program established under subsection (b)(1) shall be carried out in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, including, as appropriate—
(1) States;
(2) Indian Tribes;
(3) regional entities and regulators;
(4) units of local government;
(5) institutions of higher education; and
(6) private sector entities.
(d) Report
(e) Barriers and benefits to micro-grid systems
(1) ReportNot later than 270 days after December 27, 2020, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives a report on the benefits of, and barriers to, implementing resilient micro-grid systems that are—
(A)
(i) owned or operated by an isolated community, rural electric cooperative, or municipal government; or
(ii) operated on behalf of a municipal government or rural electric cooperative; and
(B) designed to maximize the use of—
(i) energy-generation facilities owned or operated by isolated communities; or
(ii) a municipal or rural electric cooperative energy-generation facility.
(2) Grants to overcome barriers
(Pub. L. 116–260, div. Z, title VIII, § 8011, Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 2589.)