Collapse to view only § 18632. Energy Innovation Hubs
§ 18631. Crosscutting research and development
(a) In general
(b) Existing programs; coordination of activitiesTo the maximum extent practicable, the Secretary shall seek—
(1) to leverage existing programs of the Department; and
(2) to consolidate and coordinate activities throughout the Department to promote collaboration and crosscutting approaches within programs of the Department.
(c) Additional actionsThe Secretary shall—
(1) prioritize activities that use all affordable domestic resources;
(2) develop a planning, evaluation, and technical assessment framework for setting objective long-term strategic goals and evaluating progress that—
(A) ensures integrity and independence; and
(B) provides the flexibility to adapt to market dynamics;
(3) ensure that activities shall be undertaken in a manner that does not duplicate other activities within the Department or other Federal Government activities; and
(4) identify programs that may be more effectively left to the States, industry, nongovernmental organizations, institutions of higher education, or other stakeholders.
(Pub. L. 115–246, title II, § 203, Sept. 28, 2018, 132 Stat. 3135.)
§ 18632. Energy Innovation Hubs
(a) DefinitionsIn this section:
(1) Advanced energy technologyThe term “advanced energy technology” means—
(A) an innovative technology—
(i) that produces energy from solar, wind, geothermal, biomass, tidal, wave, ocean, or other renewable energy resources;
(ii) that produces nuclear energy;
(iii) for carbon capture and sequestration;
(iv) that enables advanced vehicles, vehicle components, and related technologies that result in significant energy savings;
(v) that generates, transmits, distributes, uses, or stores energy more efficiently than conventional technologies, including through Smart Grid technologies; or
(vi) that enhances the energy independence and security of the United States by enabling improved or expanded supply and production of domestic energy resources, including coal, oil, and natural gas;
(B) a research, development, demonstration, or commercial application activity necessary to ensure the long-term, secure, and sustainable supply of an energy-critical element; or
(C) any other innovative energy technology area identified by the Secretary.
(2) Hub
(A) In general
(B) Inclusion
(3) Qualifying entityThe term “qualifying entity” means—
(A) an institution of higher education;
(B) an appropriate State or Federal entity, including a federally funded research and development center of the Department;
(C) a nongovernmental organization with expertise in advanced energy technology research, development, demonstration, or commercial application; or
(D) any other relevant entity the Secretary determines appropriate.
(b) Authorization of program
(1) In general
(2) Technology development focus
(3) CoordinationThe Secretary shall ensure the coordination of, and avoid unnecessary duplication of, the activities of each Hub with the activities of—
(A) other research entities of the Department, including the National Laboratories, the Advanced Research Projects Agency—Energy, and Energy Frontier Research Centers; and
(B) industry.
(c) Application process
(1) EligibilityTo be eligible to receive an award for the establishment and operation of a Hub under subsection (b)(1), a consortium shall—
(A) be composed of not fewer than two qualifying entities;
(B) operate subject to a binding agreement, entered into by each member of the consortium, that documents—
(i) the proposed partnership agreement, including the governance and management structure of the Hub;
(ii) measures the consortium will undertake to enable cost-effective implementation of activities under the program described in subsection (b)(1); and
(iii) a proposed budget, including financial contributions from non-Federal sources; and
(C) operate as a nonprofit organization.
(2) Application
(A) In general
(B) Requirement
(3) Selection
(A) In general
(B) ConsiderationsIn selecting consortia under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall consider—
(i) the information disclosed by the consortium under this subsection; and
(ii) any existing facilities a consortium will provide for Hub activities.
(d) Term
(1) In general
(2) Existing HubsA Hub already in existence on, or undergoing a renewal process on, September 28, 2018—
(A) may continue to receive support during the 5-year period beginning on the date of establishment of that Hub; and
(B) shall be eligible for renewal of that support at the end of that 5-year period.
(e) Hub operations
(1) In general
(2) ActivitiesEach Hub shall—
(A) encourage collaboration and communication among the member qualifying entities of the consortium and awardees;
(B) develop and publish proposed plans and programs on a publicly accessible website;
(C) submit an annual report to the Department summarizing the activities of the Hub, including—
(i) detailing organizational expenditures; and
(ii) describing each project undertaken by the Hub; and
(D) monitor project implementation and coordination.
(3) Conflicts of interest
(4) Prohibition on construction
(A) In generalExcept as provided in subparagraph (B)—
(i) no funds provided under this section may be used for construction of new buildings or facilities for Hubs; and
(ii) construction of new buildings or facilities shall not be considered as part of the non-Federal share of a Hub cost-sharing agreement.
(B) Test bed and renovation exception
(Pub. L. 115–246, title II, § 206, Sept. 28, 2018, 132 Stat. 3137.)