Section 1 Short title
This Act may be cited as the “Next Generation Electric Systems Act of 2019”.
Next Generation Electric Systems Act of 2019
A BILL
To direct the Secretary of Energy to establish a grant program for the transformation of the electric grid, and for other purposes.
Sec. 2 Definitions
In this Act:
Eligible entity— The term “eligible entity” means a partnership consisting of 2 or more entities—
1 or more of which shall be—
an electric utility (as defined in section 3(22)(A) of the Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 796(22)(A)));
a Regional Transmission Organization (as defined in section 3 of the Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 796)); or
an Independent System Operator (as defined in that section); and
1 or more of which may be—
an institution of higher education (as defined in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001(a)));
a National Laboratory (as defined in section 2 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 15801));
a State or local government or other public body created by or pursuant to State law;
an Indian tribe (as defined in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304)) or tribal organization (as defined in section 3765 of title 38, United States Code);
a Federal power marketing administration;
an entity that develops and provides technology; or
an organization described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
Federal power marketing administration— The term Federal power marketing administration means—
the Bonneville Power Administration;
the Southeastern Power Administration;
the Southwestern Power Administration; and
the Western Area Power Administration.
Secretary— The term “Secretary” means the Secretary of Energy.
Sec. 3 Grid modernization technology demonstration projects
In general— The Secretary shall establish a grant program under which the Secretary shall award grants to eligible entities to carry out eligible projects described in subsection (b) relating to the modernization of the electric grid, including—
projects for the application of technologies to improve observability, stability, advanced controls, and prediction of system performance on the distribution system; and
projects relating to transmission system interconnections.
Eligible projects— An eligible project referred to in subsection (a) is a demonstration project that—
is designed to improve the resiliency, performance, and efficiency of the future electric grid, while ensuring the continued provision of safe, secure, reliable, and affordable power;
demonstrates secure integration and management of 2 or more energy resources, including distributed energy generation, combined heat and power, microgrids, energy storage, electric vehicles, energy efficiency, demand response, intelligent loads, and which may include resources behind the customer meter;
demonstrates secure integration and interoperability of communications and information technologies relating to the electric grid;
includes the development of a cybersecurity plan written in accordance with guidelines developed by the Secretary;
includes a privacy effects analysis that evaluates the project in accordance with the Voluntary Code of Conduct of the Department of Energy, commonly known as the “DataGuard Energy Data Privacy Program”, or the most recent revisions to the privacy program of the Department of Energy; and
satisfies the eligibility requirements described in section 545(a) of the Energy Security and Independence Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17155(a)).
Community outreach— An eligible project carried out using a grant awarded under subsection (a) may include education and outreach with community-based organizations and other private sector entities to help inform the objectives of the project and communicate the results of the project.
Sec. 4 Authorization of appropriations
There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary $50,000,000 to carry out this Act for each of fiscal years 2020 through 2028.