View all text of Subchapter X [§ 16391 - § 16396]
§ 16391. Improved technology transfer of energy technologies
(a) Office of Technology Transitions
(1) Establishment
(2) Mission
The mission of the Office shall be—
(A) to expand the commercial impact of the research investments of the Department; and
(B) to focus on commercializing technologies that support the missions of the Department, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants.
(3) Goals
(A) In general
(B) Goals described
The goals referred to in subparagraph (A) are the following:
(i) Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants.
(ii) Ensuring economic competitiveness.
(iii) Enhancement of domestic energy security and national security.
(iv) Enhancement of domestic jobs.
(v) Improvement of energy efficiency.
(vi) Any other goals to support the transfer of technology developed by Department-funded programs to the private sector, as consistent with missions of the Department.
(4) Chief Commercialization Officer
(A) In general
(B) Principal advisor
(C) Qualifications
(D) Duties
The Chief Commercialization Officer shall oversee—
(i) the activities of the Technology Transfer Working Group established under subsection (b);
(ii) the expenditure of funds allocated for technology transfer within the Department;
(iii) the activities of each technology partnership ombudsman appointed under section 7261c of this title; and
(iv) efforts to engage private sector entities, including venture capital companies.
(5) Coordination
(6) Hiring and management
(7) Authorization of appropriations
(b) Technology Transfer Working Group
The Secretary shall establish a Technology Transfer Working Group, which shall consist of representatives of the National Laboratories and single-purpose research facilities, to—
(1) coordinate technology transfer activities occurring at National Laboratories and single-purpose research facilities;
(2) exchange information about technology transfer practices, including alternative approaches to resolution of disputes involving intellectual property rights and other technology transfer matters; and
(3) develop and disseminate to the public and prospective technology partners information about opportunities and procedures for technology transfer with the Department, including opportunities and procedures related to alternative approaches to resolution of disputes involving intellectual property rights and other technology transfer matters.
(c) Technology Commercialization Fund
(d) Technology transfer responsibility
(e) Technology Commercialization Fund
(1) Establishment
(2) Applications
(A) Considerations
The Secretary shall develop criteria for evaluating applications for funding under this section, which may include—
(i) the potential that a proposed technology will result in a commercially successful product within a reasonable timeframe; and
(ii) the relative maturity of a proposed technology for commercial application.
(B) Selections
(f) Annual report
The Secretary shall include in the annual report required under section 16391a(a) of this title—
(1) description of the projects carried out with awards from the Fund for that fiscal year;
(2) each project’s cost-share for that fiscal year; and
(3) each project’s partners for that fiscal year.
(g) Technology commercialization fund report
(1) In general
(2) Contents
The report under subparagraph (A) shall include—
(A) a summary, with supporting data, of how much Department program offices contribute to and use the Fund each year, including a list of current funding restrictions;
(B) recommendations on how to improve implementation and administration of the Fund; and
(C) an analysis on how to spend funds optimally on technology areas that have the greatest need and opportunity for commercial application, rather than spending funds at the programmatic level or under current funding restrictions.
(h) Planning and reporting
(1) In general
(2) Updates
(i) Additional technology transfer programs
The Secretary may develop additional programs to—
(1) support regional energy innovation systems;
(2) support clean energy incubators;
(3) provide small business vouchers;
(4) provide financial and technical assistance for entrepreneurial fellowships at national laboratories;
(5) encourage students, energy researchers, and national laboratory employees to develop entrepreneurial skillsets and engage in entrepreneurial opportunities;
(6) support private companies and individuals in partnering with National Laboratories; and
(7) further support the mission and goals of the Office.
(Pub. L. 109–58, title X, § 1001, Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 926; Pub. L. 113–291, div. C, title XXXI, § 3144, Dec. 19, 2014, 128 Stat. 3902; Pub. L. 115–246, title I, § 102, Sept. 28, 2018, 132 Stat. 3131; Pub. L. 116–260, div. Z, title IX, §§ 9001, 9003, Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 2595, 2597; Pub. L. 117–58, div. D, title XII, § 41201(i), formerly § 41201(g), Nov. 15, 2021, 135 Stat. 1131, renumbered § 41201(i), Pub. L. 117–167, div. B, title VI, § 10723(3), Aug. 9, 2022, 136 Stat. 1709; Pub. L. 117–167, div. B, title VI, § 10722, Aug. 9, 2022, 136 Stat. 1708.)