42 U.S.C. § 17387 — Integrated energy systems

(a) In general. Within 180 days after December 27, 2020, the Secretary^* must start a research, development, and demonstration program to build cost-effective integrated energy systems. This includes: (1) building computer models to design different system setups and optimize how they run; (2) researching what's needed to plan, design, build, and run integrated energy systems, including how they connect to the electric grid; (3) developing integrated energy systems for uses such as (A) thermal energy generation and storage for buildings and manufacturing, (B) electricity storage paired with generation, (C) desalination, (D) making liquid and gas fuels, and (E) making chemicals like ammonia and ethylene; (4) building test facilities for integrated energy systems; and (5) researching how to fold in technologies like nuclear energy, renewable energy, storage, and carbon capture, use, and sequestration.

(b) Strategic plan. (1) Within one year of December 27, 2020, the Secretary must send Congress's House Science, Space, and Technology Committee and Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee a strategic plan covering the opportunities, challenges, and standards needed to develop and use integrated energy systems. The plan must include: (A) analysis of the benefits of integrated electric systems for the grid; (B) analysis of how integrated energy systems could fit different grid-design scenarios; (C) research and development goals for the systems listed in subsection (a); (D) an assessment of policy and market barriers to adopting these systems; (E) analysis of whether adopting different systems is technically and economically feasible; and (F) a 10-year roadmap for the program. (2) At least once every 3 years while the program runs, the Secretary must send Congress an updated plan.

(c) Program implementation. To carry out the research, development, demonstration, and commercial-application aims of subsection (a), the Secretary must: (1) put the strategic plan's recommendations into action; (2) coordinate across the Department's relevant offices, including the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, the Office of Nuclear Energy, and the Office of Fossil Energy; (3) use the Department's existing programs and resources; and (4) prioritize work that speeds up development of generation, storage, and distribution systems with net-zero greenhouse gas emissions.

(d) Integrated energy system defined. An "integrated energy system" is a system made of two or more co-located or jointly run sub-systems, of energy generation, storage, or other energy technology.