II 111th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 2900 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.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Gas Turbine Efficiency Act of 2009.

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.