---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 16236"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "16236"
heading: "Research and development into integrating renewable energy onto the electric grid"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/16236"
units:
  - "Chapter 149 — National Energy Policy and Programs"
  - "Subchapter IX — Research and Development"
  - "Part C — Renewable Energy"
---

# §16236. Research and development into integrating renewable energy onto the electric grid

- (a) **In general—** Not later than 180 days after December 27, 2020, the [Secretary](/usc/42/15801.md?p=4) shall establish a research, development, and demonstration program on technologies that enable integration of renewable energy generation sources onto the electric grid across multiple program offices of the [Department](/usc/42/15801.md?p=1). The program shall include—
  - (1) forecasting for predicting generation from variable renewable energy sources;
  - (2) development of cost-effective low-loss, long-distance transmission lines; and
  - (3) development of cost-effective advanced technologies for variable renewable generation sources to provide grid services.
- (b) **Coordination—** In carrying out this program, the [Secretary](/usc/42/15801.md?p=4) shall coordinate across all relevant program offices at the [Department](/usc/42/15801.md?p=1) to achieve the goals established in this section, including the Office of Electricity.
- (c) **Adoption of technologies—** In carrying out this section, the [Secretary](/usc/42/15801.md?p=4) shall consider barriers to adoption and commercial application of technologies that enable integration of renewable energy sources onto the electric grid, including cost and other economic barriers, and shall coordinate with relevant entities to reduce these barriers.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 109–58, title IX, § 936, as added Pub. L. 116–260, div. Z, title VIII, § 8004(b), Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 2583.)