[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 8706 Introduced in House (IH)]
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119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 8706
To amend the Energy Act of 2020 to modify certain programs and projects
with respect to energy storage technology, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
May 7, 2026
Mr. Panetta (for himself and Mr. Harrigan) introduced the following
bill; which was referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and
Technology
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend the Energy Act of 2020 to modify certain programs and projects
with respect to energy storage technology, and for other purposes.
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 ``Better Energy Storage and Safety
Act''.
SEC. 2. MODIFICATION OF CERTAIN PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS WITH RESPECT TO
ENERGY STORAGE TECHNOLOGY.
(a) Clarification of Definition of Energy Storage System.--
Subsection (a)(1) of section 3201 of the Energy Act of 2020 (42 U.S.C.
17232) is amended by inserting ``(including any components or modules
that comprise such a system)'' after ``any system''.
(b) Energy Storage System Research, Development, and Deployment
Program.--
(1) Expanding objectives.--Paragraph (2) of section 3201(b)
of the Energy Act of 2020 (42 U.S.C. 17232(b)) is amended--
(A) in subparagraph (A)--
(i) in the matter preceding clause (i), by
inserting ``modules,'' after ``components,'';
and
(ii) in clause (i), by inserting ``of
residential and utility energy storage
systems'' after ``deployment'';
(B) in subparagraph (I), by striking ``and'' after
the semicolon; and
(C) by adding at the end the following new
subparagraphs:
``(K) models, tools, and diagnostic data sets to
improve the safe installation and long-term operation
of energy storage systems by abating expected failure
modes that could damage such a system, including--
``(i) component, module, or system failure;
and
``(ii) thermal runaway and other fire and
explosion risks; and
``(L) early detection methods and preventative
maintenance techniques relating to failure modes of
energy storage systems.''.
(2) Modifying testing and validation.--Paragraph (3) of
section 3201(b) of the Energy Act of 2020 (42 U.S.C. 17232(b))
is amended to read as follows:
``(3) Benchmarking, testing, and validation.--
``(A) In general.--In coordination with one or more
National Laboratories, the Director of the National
Institute of Standards and Technology, and the
Administrator of the United States Fire Administration,
the Secretary shall support the development,
standardized testing, and validation of energy storage
systems specified in subparagraph (B), including test-
bed trials and field tests, by developing testing and
evaluation methodologies for the following:
``(i) Storage technologies, controls, and
power electronics for such systems under a
variety of operating and failure conditions,
including such conditions that occur while such
a system is being utilized.
``(ii) Standardized and grid performance
testing for energy storage systems, materials,
and technologies at each stage of development
and at the operational system level.
``(iii) Reliability, safety, degradation,
and durability testing under standard and
evolving duty cycles.
``(iv) Component, module, and integrated
system level safety and degradation stress
testing to failure.
``(v) Accelerated life testing protocols to
predict estimated lifetime metrics with
accuracy.
``(vi) Equipment, including automated fire
suppression systems, and techniques for
mitigating risks of such energy storage
systems.
``(B) Energy storage systems specified.--The energy
storage systems specified in this subparagraph are
energy storage systems that satisfy the following
requirements:
``(i) Are under the program.
``(ii) Are operational and connected to the
grid.
``(iii) Were installed before the most
recent codes and standards for such systems.
``(iv) Represent a variety of the following
characteristics:
``(I) Chemistries.
``(II) Compositions.
``(III) Installation and
manufacturing techniques.
``(IV) Any other characteristic the
Secretary determines appropriate.''.
(3) Modifying periodic evaluations.--Paragraph (4) of
section 3201(b) of the Energy Act of 2020 (42 U.S.C. 17232(b))
is amended--
(A) by inserting ``the testing and evaluation of''
after ``advance''; and
(B) by striking ``costs and increasing the
duration'' and inserting ``costs, increasing the
lifetime, and improving the safety''.
(4) Modifying strategic plan.--Paragraph (5)(B) of section
3201(b) of the Energy Act of 2020 (42 U.S.C. 17232(b)) is
amended--
(A) in clause (iii)(II)(bb), by striking ``and the
mission of the Department, as determined by the
Secretary'';
(B) in clause (iv)(II), by striking ``and'' after
the semicolon;
(C) in clause (v), by striking the period at the
end and inserting ``; and''; and
(D) by adding at the end the following new clause:
``(vi) include a summary of the status of
any innovative, emerging, or alternative
technologies that could improve the
performance, durability, or safety of grid-
scale energy storage systems and any potential
commercial barriers to such innovative,
emerging, or alternative technologies.''.
(5) Leveraging of resources.--Paragraph (6) of section
3201(b) of the Energy Act of 2020 (42 U.S.C. 17232(b)) is
amended--
(A) in subparagraph (C)--
(i) in clause (ii), by adding ``and'' at
the end; and
(ii) in clause (iii), by striking ``and''
after the semicolon;
(B) in subparagraph (D), by striking the period at
the end and inserting a semicolon; and
(C) by adding at the end the following new
subparagraphs:
``(E) the United States Fire Administration; and
``(F) the National Institute of Standards and
Technology.''.
(c) Increasing Number of Energy Storage Demonstration Projects.--
Paragraph (1) of section 3201(c) of the Energy Act of 2020 (42 U.S.C.
17232(c)) is amended--
(1) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A)--
(A) by striking ``September 30, 2023'' and
inserting ``September 30, 2030''; and
(B) by striking ``3'' and inserting ``5'';
(2) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``and'' after the
semicolon;
(3) in subparagraph (B), by striking the period at the end
and inserting a semicolon; and
(4) by adding at the end the following new subparagraphs:
``(C) at least 1 energy storage system
demonstration project designed to further the safety of
technologies described in clause (iii) or (iv) of such
subsection, including through stress testing to
failure; and
``(D) at least 1 energy storage system
demonstration project designed to further the safety of
technologies described in clause (v) or (vi) of such
subsection, including through stress testing to
failure.''.
(d) Energy Storage Pilot Grant Program.--
(1) Expanding selection requirements.--Paragraph (2)(C)(ii)
of section 3201(c) of the Energy Act of 2020 (42 U.S.C.
17232(c)) is amended--
(A) in subclause (II), by striking ``and'' after
the semicolon; and
(B) by adding at the end the following new
subclauses:
``(IV) improve the safety of
operational energy storage systems
through component, module, and
integrated system level testing and
evaluation; and
``(V) utilize data from such energy
storage systems to improve, such as
through the prediction of system
failure, the safety of such energy
storage systems;''.
(2) Expanding objectives.--Paragraph (2)(D) of section
3201(c) of the Energy Act of 2020 (42 U.S.C. 17232(c)) is
amended by adding at the end the following new clauses:
``(xiii) To improve and advance the
robustness of testing and evaluation
methodologies for energy storage systems.
``(xiv) To improve and advance data
collection mechanisms for operational energy
storage systems.
``(xv) To improve the diagnostic,
artificial intelligence, computing, and digital
twin capabilities of energy storage systems.
``(xvi) To improve the safety of installed
energy storage systems.
``(xvii) To test innovative chemistries for
grid-connected energy storage systems that are
safer than conventional chemistries for such
energy storage systems.''.
(e) Expanding Priorities of the Electric Vehicle Battery Second-
Life Project.--Paragraph (3)(C) of section 3201(c) of the Energy Act of
2020 (42 U.S.C. 17232(c)) is amended by inserting ``advanced safety
testing and evaluation methodologies or'' after ``from''.
(f) Chemistries and Stress Testing in Long-Duration Demonstration
Initiative and Joint Program.--Subsection (d) of section 3201 of the
Energy Act of 2020 (42 U.S.C. 17232) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (3)(A), by inserting ``and chemistries''
after ``types''; and
(2) in paragraph (4)--
(A) in subparagraph (A)--
(i) in clause (i), by striking ``scales;
and'' and inserting ``scales and with various
chemistries;'';
(ii) in clause (ii), by striking the period
at the end and inserting ``; and''; and
(iii) by adding at the end the following
new clause:
``(iii) to develop safety features that
prevent or mitigate the failure of long-
duration energy storage technologies.''; and
(B) in subparagraph (C)(ii), by inserting ``for
stress testing integrated energy storage systems to
failure'' after ``appropriate''.
(g) Authorization of Appropriations.--Subsection (h) of section
3201 of the Energy Act of 2020 (42 U.S.C. 17232) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (2), by striking ``and'';
(2) in paragraph (3), by striking the period at the end and
inserting ``; and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(4) to carry out programs, initiatives, and associated
activities relating to the safety of energy storage systems and
energy storage technologies pursuant to subsections (b) through
(d), as the case may be, $30,000,000 for each of fiscal years
2027 through 2031, to remain available until expended.''.
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