---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 17392"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "17392"
heading: "Micro-grid and integrated micro-grid systems program"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/17392"
units:
  - "Chapter 152 — Energy Independence and Security"
  - "Subchapter IX — Smart Grid"
---

# §17392. Micro-grid and integrated micro-grid systems program

- (a) **Definitions—** In this section:
  - (1) **Integrated micro-grid system—** The term “integrated micro-grid system” means a micro-grid system that—
    - (A) comprises generation from both conventional and renewable energy resources; and
    - (B) may use grid-scale energy storage.
  - (2) **Isolated community—** The term “isolated community” means a community that is powered by a stand-alone electric generation and distribution system without the economic and reliability benefits of connection to a regional electric grid.
  - (3) **Micro-grid system—** The term “micro-grid system” means a localized grid that operates autonomously, regardless of whether the grid can operate in connection with another grid.
  - (4) **Rural electric cooperative—** The term “rural electric cooperative” means an electric cooperative (as defined in [section 796 of title 16](/usc/16/796.md)) that sells electric energy to persons in rural areas.
  - (5) **Strategy—** The term “strategy” means the strategy developed pursuant to [subsection (b)(2)(B)](#b-2-B).
- (b) **Program—**
  - (1) **Establishment—** The [Secretary](/usc/42/17001.md?p=3) of Energy (in this section referred to as the “[Secretary](/usc/42/17001.md?p=3)”) shall establish a [program](/usc/42/17151.md?p=5) to promote the development of—
    - (A) integrated micro-grid systems for isolated communities; and
    - (B) micro-grid systems to increase the resilience of critical infrastructure.
  - (2) **Requirements—** The [program](/usc/42/17151.md?p=5) established under [paragraph (1)](#b-1) shall—
    - (A) develop a feasibility assessment for—
      - (i) integrated micro-grid systems in isolated communities; and
      - (ii) micro-grid systems to enhance the resilience of critical infrastructure;
    - (B) develop an implementation strategy, in accordance with [paragraph (3)](#b-3), to promote the development of integrated micro-grid systems for isolated communities, particularly for those communities exposed to extreme weather conditions and high energy costs, including electricity, space heating and cooling, and transportation;
    - (C) develop an implementation strategy to promote the development of micro-grid systems that increase the resilience of critical infrastructure; and
    - (D) carry out cost-shared demonstration [projects](/usc/42/13641.md?p=2), based upon the strategies developed under [subparagraph (B)](#b-2-B) that include the development of physical and cybersecurity plans to take appropriate measures to protect and secure the electric grid.
  - (3) **Requirements for strategy—** In developing the strategy under [paragraph (2)(B)](#b-2-B), the [Secretary](/usc/42/17001.md?p=3) shall consider—
    - (A) opportunities for improving the efficiency of existing integrated micro-grid systems;
    - (B) the capacity of the local workforce to operate, maintain, and repair a integrated micro-grid system as well as opportunities to improve that capacity;
    - (C) leveraging existing capacity within local or regional research organizations, such as organizations based at institutions of higher education, to support development of integrated micro-grid systems, including by testing novel components and systems prior to field deployment;
    - (D) the need for basic infrastructure to develop, deploy, and sustain a integrated micro-grid system;
    - (E) input of traditional knowledge from local leaders of isolated communities in the development of a integrated micro-grid system;
    - (F) the impact of integrated micro-grid systems on defense, homeland security, economic development, and environmental interests;
    - (G) opportunities to leverage existing interagency coordination efforts and recommendations for new interagency coordination efforts to minimize unnecessary overhead, mobilization, and other [project](/usc/42/13641.md?p=2) costs; and
    - (H) any other criteria the [Secretary](/usc/42/17001.md?p=3) determines appropriate.
- (c) **Collaboration—** The [program](/usc/42/17151.md?p=5) established under [subsection (b)(1)](#b-1) shall be carried out in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, including, as appropriate—
  - (1) [States](/usc/42/17151.md?p=6);
  - (2) [Indian Tribes](/usc/42/17151.md?p=4);
  - (3) regional entities and regulators;
  - (4) units of local government;
  - (5) institutions of higher education; and
  - (6) private sector entities.
- (d) **Report—** Not later than 180 days after December 27, 2020, and annually thereafter until calendar year 2029, the [Secretary](/usc/42/17001.md?p=3) shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives a report on the efforts to implement the [program](/usc/42/17151.md?p=5) established under [subsection (b)(1)](#b-1) and the status of the strategy developed under [subsection (b)(2)(B)](#b-2-B).
- (e) **Barriers and benefits to micro-grid systems—**
  - (1) **Report—** Not later than 270 days after December 27, 2020, the [Secretary](/usc/42/17001.md?p=3) shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives a report on the benefits of, and barriers to, implementing resilient micro-grid systems that are—
    - (A)
      - (i) owned or operated by an isolated community, rural electric cooperative, or municipal government; or
      - (ii) operated on behalf of a municipal government or rural electric cooperative; and
    - (B) designed to maximize the use of—
      - (i) energy-generation facilities owned or operated by isolated communities; or
      - (ii) a municipal or rural electric cooperative energy-generation facility.
  - (2) **Grants to overcome barriers—** The [Secretary](/usc/42/17001.md?p=3) shall award grants of not more than $500,000 to not fewer than 20 municipal governments, rural electric cooperatives, or isolated communities, up to a total of $15,000,000, each year to assist those municipal governments, rural electric cooperatives, and isolated communities in overcoming the barriers identified in the report under [paragraph (1)](#e-1).

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 116–260, div. Z, title VIII, § 8011, Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 2589.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Codification

Section was enacted as part of the Energy Act of 2020, and not as part of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 which comprises this chapter.