§16215 Electric Transmission and Distribution Programs

Summary

The Secretary must set up a research, development, and demonstration program to keep electrical transmission and distribution systems reliable, efficient, and environmentally sound. The program will cover many technologies, including new transmission methods and materials, energy storage, grid reliability and efficiency tools, ways to cut electricity use, smart meters and controls, upgrades to existing grid parts, high-temperature superconductors to boost capacity or efficiency, integration of power systems, small distributed generators, design and planning tools, two-way power and information flow, interoperability between devices, other grid technologies as needed, and technology transfer and education. Not later than 1 year after August 8, 2005, the Secretary must send Congress a 5-year plan, made with input from utilities, energy service providers, manufacturers, colleges, state and local agencies, environmental groups, technical societies, and others. The program may use a consortium of industry, colleges, and National Laboratories. Within 2 years after that plan is sent, the Secretary must report progress and any extra funding needs. The law also creates two special initiatives: one focused on power delivery using high-temperature superconductors (building facilities, proving reliability, aiding DC high-power use, and testing low-impedance superconducting wires) with demonstrations, public-private partnerships, and testbeds; and another focused on planning and operating grids under competitive markets (developing a distributed research center, commercial partnerships, market modeling, and technical support). The Secretary must also fund a university project, with the Tennessee Valley Authority, to test ways to optimize power flow on high-voltage lines.