[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 2900 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
111th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 2900
To establish a research, development, and technology demonstration
program to improve the efficiency of gas turbines used in combined
cycle and simple cycle power generation systems.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
December 17, 2009
Mrs. Gillibrand introduced the following bill; which was read twice and
referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To establish a research, development, and technology demonstration
program to improve the efficiency of gas turbines used in combined
cycle and simple cycle power generation systems.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Gas Turbine Efficiency Act of
2009''.
SEC. 2. HIGH EFFICIENCY GAS TURBINES.
(a) In General.--The Secretary of Energy (referred to in this
section as the ``Secretary'') shall carry out a multiyear, multiphase
program of research, development, and technology demonstration--
(1) to improve the efficiency of gas turbines used in power
generation systems; and
(2) to identify the technologies that ultimately will lead
to gas turbine combined cycle efficiency of 65 percent or
simple cycle efficiency of 50 percent.
(b) Program Elements.--The program under this section shall--
(1) support first-of-a-kind engineering and detailed gas
turbine design for megawatt-scale and utility-scale electric
power generation, including--
(A) high temperature materials, including
superalloys, coatings, and ceramics;
(B) improved heat transfer capability;
(C) manufacturing technology required to construct
complex 3-dimensional geometry parts with improved
aerodynamic capability;
(D) combustion technology to produce higher firing
temperature while lowering nitrogen oxide and carbon
monoxide emissions per unit of output;
(E) advanced controls and systems integration;
(F) advanced high performance compressor
technology; and
(G) validation facilities for the testing of
components and subsystems;
(2) include technology demonstration through component
testing, subscale testing, and full-scale testing in existing
fleets;
(3) include field demonstrations of the developed
technology elements so as to demonstrate technical and economic
feasibility; and
(4) assess overall combined cycle and simple cycle system
performance.
(c) Program Goals.--The goals of the multiphase program established
under subsection (a) shall be--
(1) in phase I--
(A) to develop the conceptual design of advanced
high efficiency gas turbines that can achieve at least
62 percent combined cycle efficiency or 47 percent
simple cycle efficiency on a lower heating value basis;
and
(B) to develop and demonstrate the technology
required for advanced high efficiency gas turbines that
can achieve at least 62 percent combined cycle
efficiency or 47 percent simple cycle efficiency on a
lower heating value basis; and
(2) in phase II, to develop the conceptual design for
advanced high efficiency gas turbines that can achieve at least
65 percent combined cycle efficiency or 50 percent simple cycle
efficiency on a lower heating value basis.
(d) Proposals.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall solicit grant and
contract proposals from industry, small businesses,
institutions of higher education, and other appropriate parties
for conducting activities under this section.
(2) Selection.--In selecting proposals, the Secretary shall
emphasize the extent to which a proposal will--
(A) stimulate the creation or increased retention
of jobs in the United States; and
(B) promote and enhance United States technology
leadership.
(e) Competitive Awards.--Awards of financial assistance under this
section shall be made on a competitive basis with an emphasis on
technical merit.
(f) Cost Sharing.--Section 988 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42
U.S.C. 16352) shall apply to an award of financial assistance under
this section.
(g) Limits on Participation.--The limits on participation
applicable under section 999E of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42
U.S.C. 16375) shall apply to awards of financial assistance under this
section.
(h) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this section $85,000,000 for
each of fiscal years 2011 through 2014.
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