Sec. 3. Advanced distribution system grant program
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/bill/115/s/1874/is/section-3A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
In this section: The term eligible entity means an electric utility, such as— an investor-owned electric utility; a publicly owned utility; and an electric cooperative. The term program means the program established under subsection (b). The Secretary shall establish a program under which the Secretary shall provide grants to support projects designed to advance the integration and optimization of distributed energy resources. To be eligible to receive a grant under this section, an eligible entity shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary determines to be appropriate, including— an interoperability plan for the proposed project; a cybersecurity plan for the proposed project; a privacy plan for the proposed project, including a provision relating to— the protection of the privacy of individual customer information; the secure storage, handling, and destruction of data; and the access of energy use data by third parties; the anticipated benefits of the proposed project, from a business perspective and the perspective of the customer; for a project proposed by an investor-owned electric utility, a formal approval of the project from the regulatory body of jurisdiction, such as a State public utility commission; and an assurance that, as a condition of receiving the grant, the eligible entity will participate in a working group in accordance with section 9(a), including with respect to preparation of the report under section 9(b).
In selecting recipients of grants under this section, the Secretary shall give priority to— a proposed project that is submitted by a multiutility partnership with a diverse customer profile; a proposed project that is submitted by a partnership that includes at least 1 National Laboratory or institution of higher education; a proposed project that promotes education and training in disciplines that are essential for distribution system development, as determined by the Secretary; and a proposed project that proposes a scaled deployment strategy for the technology and systems of the project, with an emphasis on achieving adoption of a standard for, and interoperability among several manufacturers of, devices that create grid flexibility.
The goals of the program are— to demonstrate innovative and cost-effective techniques for the integration and optimization of distributed energy resources, including microgrid and networked microgrid systems; to develop highly flexible, configurable, and interactive networks of utility, customer, and third-party systems with an IoT community enabling framework; to inform the creation of standards and regulations; and to increase regulatory and utility confidence in technologies and systems that are instrumental to the integration and optimization of distributed energy resources, including integrated energy systems.
A grant provided under this section may be used for any project that implements measures to advance the integration and optimization of distributed energy resources, as determined by the Secretary, including a project— on advanced voltage control or optimization systems; addressing dynamic protection schemes to manage reverse power flows, communications, sensors, energy storage, switching, and smart-inverter networks; on advanced distribution management systems, such as automated substations; on cybersecurity technologies and applications; supporting nonrecurring engineering costs of adoption and implementation, among multiple manufacturers of grid-connected devices, of standards that enhance interoperability and connectivity on electricity systems; and for manufacturers of grid-connected devices or electric utilities to establish full-time positions to design and implement technologies that promote grid flexibility.
There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $50,000,000, to remain available for a period of 10 years following the fiscal year for which the amounts were appropriated.