View all text of Subchapter I [§ 17011 - § 17014]
§ 17014. Research and development into integrating electric vehicles onto the electric grid
(a) In general
(b) Vehicles-to-grid integration assessment reportNot 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 report on the results of a study that examines the research, development, and demonstration opportunities, challenges, and standards needed for integrating electric vehicles onto the electric grid.
(1) Report requirementsThe report shall include—
(A) an evaluation of the use of electric vehicles to maintain the reliability of the electric grid, including—
(i) the use of electric vehicles for demand response, load shaping, emergency power, and frequency regulation; and
(ii) the potential for the reuse of spent electric vehicle batteries for stationary grid storage;
(B) the impact of grid integration on electric vehicles, including—
(i) the impact of bi-directional electricity flow on battery degradation; and
(ii) the implications of the use of electric vehicles for grid services on original equipment manufacturer warranties;
(C) the impacts to the electric grid of increased penetration of electric vehicles, including—
(i) the distribution grid infrastructure needed to support an increase in charging capacity;
(ii) strategies for integrating electric vehicles onto the distribution grid while limiting infrastructure upgrades;
(iii) the changes in electricity demand over a 24-hour cycle due to electric vehicle charging behavior;
(iv) the load increases expected from electrifying the transportation sector;
(v) the potential for customer incentives and other managed charging stations strategies to shift charging off-peak;
(vi) the technology needed to achieve bi-directional power flow on the distribution grid; and
(vii) the implementation of smart charging techniques;
(D) research on the standards needed to integrate electric vehicles with the grid, including communications systems, protocols, and charging stations, in collaboration with the National Institute for Standards and Technology;
(E) the cybersecurity challenges and needs associated with electrifying the transportation sector; and
(F) an assessment of the feasibility of adopting technologies developed under the program established under subsection (a) at Department facilities.
(2) Recommendations
(3) ConsultationIn developing this report, the Secretary shall consult with relevant stakeholders, including—
(A) electric vehicle manufacturers;
(B) electric utilities;
(C) public utility commissions;
(D) vehicle battery manufacturers;
(E) electric vehicle supply equipment manufacturers;
(F) charging infrastructure manufacturers;
(G) the National Laboratories; and
(H) other Federal agencies, as the Secretary determines appropriate.
(4) Updates
(c) Program implementationIn carrying out the research, development, demonstration, and commercial application aims of section,2
2 So in original. Probably should be “of this section,”.
the Secretary shall—(1) implement the recommendations set forth in the report in subsection (b); and
(2) coordinate across all relevant program offices at the Department to achieve the goals established in this section, including the Office of Electricity.
(d) Testing capabilities
(Pub. L. 110–140, title I, § 137, as added Pub. L. 116–260, div. Z, title VIII, § 8004(c), Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 2584.)