---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 16298b"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "16298b"
heading: "High efficiency turbines"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/16298b"
units:
  - "Chapter 149 — National Energy Policy and Programs"
  - "Subchapter IX — Research and Development"
  - "Part F — Fossil Energy"
---

# §16298b. High efficiency turbines

- (a) **In general—** The [Secretary](/usc/42/15801.md?p=4), acting through the Assistant [Secretary](/usc/42/15801.md?p=4) for Fossil Energy (referred to in this section as the “[Secretary](/usc/42/15801.md?p=4)”), shall establish a multiyear, multiphase program (referred to in this section as the “program”) of research, development, and technology demonstration to improve the efficiency of gas turbines used in power generation systems and aviation.
- (b) **Program elements—** The program shall—
  - (1) support first-of-a-kind engineering and detailed gas turbine design for small-scale and utility-scale electric power generation, including—
    - (A) high temperature materials, including superalloys, coatings, and ceramics;
    - (B) improved heat transfer capability;
    - (C) manufacturing technology required to construct complex 3-dimensional geometry parts with improved aerodynamic capability;
    - (D) combustion technology to produce higher firing temperature while lowering nitrogen oxide and carbon monoxide emissions per unit of output;
    - (E) advanced controls and systems integration;
    - (F) advanced high performance compressor technology; and
    - (G) validation facilities for the testing of components and subsystems;
  - (2) include technology demonstration through component testing, subscale testing, and full-scale testing in existing [fleets](/usc/42/16131.md?p=5);
  - (3) include field demonstrations of the developed technology elements to demonstrate technical and economic feasibility;
  - (4) assess overall combined cycle and simple cycle system performance;
  - (5) increase fuel flexibility by enabling gas turbines to operate with high proportions of, or pure, hydrogen or other renewable gas fuels;
  - (6) enhance foundational knowledge needed for low-emission combustion systems that can work in high-pressure, high-temperature environments required for high-efficiency cycles;
  - (7) increase operational flexibility by reducing turbine start-up times and improving the ability to accommodate flexible power demand; and
  - (8) include any other elements necessary to achieve the goals described in [subsection (c)](#c), as determined by the [Secretary](/usc/42/15801.md?p=4), in consultation with private industry.
- (c) **Program goals—**
  - (1) **In general—** The goals of the program shall be—
    - (A) in phase I, to develop a conceptual design of, and to develop and demonstrate the technology required for—
      - (i) advanced high efficiency gas turbines to achieve, on a lower heating value basis—
        - (I) a combined cycle efficiency of not less than 65 percent; or
        - (II) a simple cycle efficiency of not less than 47 percent; and
      - (ii) aviation gas turbines to achieve a 25 percent reduction in fuel burn by improving fuel efficiency to existing best-in-class turbo-fan engines; and
    - (B) in phase II, to develop a conceptual design of advanced high efficiency gas turbines that can achieve, on a lower heating value basis—
      - (i) a combined cycle efficiency of not less than 67 percent; or
      - (ii) a simple cycle efficiency of not less than 50 percent.
  - (2) **Additional goals—** If a goal described in [paragraph (1)](#c-1) has been achieved, the [Secretary](/usc/42/15801.md?p=4), in consultation with private industry and the National Academy of Sciences, may develop additional goals or phases for advanced gas turbine research and development.
- (d) **Financial assistance—**
  - (1) **In general—** The [Secretary](/usc/42/15801.md?p=4) may provide financial assistance, including grants, to carry out the program.
  - (2) **Proposals—** Not later than 180 days after December 27, 2020, the [Secretary](/usc/42/15801.md?p=4) shall solicit proposals from industry, small businesses, [universities](/usc/42/16182.md?p=6), and other appropriate parties for conducting activities under this section.
  - (3) **Considerations—** In selecting proposed [projects](/usc/42/16371.md?p=12) to receive financial assistance under this subsection, the [Secretary](/usc/42/15801.md?p=4) shall give special consideration to the extent to which the proposed [project](/usc/42/16371.md?p=12) will—
    - (A) stimulate the creation or increased retention of jobs in the United States; and
    - (B) promote and enhance technology leadership in the United States.
  - (4) **Competitive awards—** The [Secretary](/usc/42/15801.md?p=4) shall provide financial assistance under this subsection on a competitive basis, with an emphasis on technical merit.
  - (5) **Cost sharing—** Financial assistance provided under this subsection shall be subject to the cost sharing requirements of [section 16352 of this title](/usc/42/16352.md).
- (e) **Authorization of appropriations—** There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2025.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 109–58, title IX, § 969B, as added Pub. L. 116–260, div. Z, title IV, § 4005(a), Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 2542.)