§16161 Solar and Wind Technologies

Summary

The Secretary must make detailed roadmaps for using solar and wind energy to produce hydrogen. The Secretary must set up five demonstration projects for solar and five for wind in different regions and climates, and each set must include one project at a National Laboratory or a college or university. For solar, the Secretary must develop concentrating solar power systems that can make both electricity and hydrogen, study high-temperature thermochemical methods for hydrogen, build and run new concentrating or cogeneration plants that produce hydrogen with or without making electricity, support existing concentrating solar power work, and create ways to make hydrogen on site from photovoltaic electricity (without needing extra transmission lines). The Secretary must also study small-scale electrolysis costs, look at modular photovoltaic options for building a hydrogen system and its security and benefits, and coordinate with the Department’s Office of Nuclear Energy on high-temperature materials, thermochemical cycles, and related economics. The Secretary must fund and support college programs to help solar and wind hydrogen research. Support must include fellowships and faculty help, basic research, industry–lab–university collaboration, and outreach. Programs should be in diverse regions and, when possible, at part B institutions, minority institutions, and schools in States in the Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research. The Secretary must create sabbatical, fellowship, and visiting scientist exchanges between National Laboratories and colleges. A report with the roadmaps, progress, and recommendations must go to Congress within 120 days after August 8, 2005. Money as needed is authorized for fiscal years 2006 through 2020. Definitions (one line each): concentrating solar power devices — tools that focus sunlight to boost solar power; photovoltaic devices — devices that turn light into electricity; part B institution — defined in title 20, section 1061; minority institution — defined in title 20, section 1067k.