[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 42 (Tuesday, March 3, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1346-S1347]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

  SA 1400. Mr. TILLIS (for himself and Mr. Burr) submitted an amendment 
intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 2657, to support 
innovation in advanced geothermal research and development, and for 
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

        At the end of subtitle D of title I, add the following:

     SEC. 14__. HIGH EFFICIENCY GAS TURBINES.

       (a) In General.--The Secretary, acting through the 
     Assistant Secretary for Fossil Energy (referred to in this 
     section as the ``Secretary''), shall carry out a multiyear, 
     multiphase program (referred to in this section as the 
     ``program'') of research, development, and technology 
     demonstration to improve the efficiency of gas turbines used 
     in power generation systems and aviation.
       (b) Program Elements.--The program shall--
       (1) support first-of-a-kind engineering and detailed gas 
     turbine design for small-scale

[[Page S1347]]

     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 to demonstrate technical and economic 
     feasibility;
       (4) assess overall combined cycle and simple cycle system 
     performance;
       (5) increase fuel flexibility by enabling gas turbines to 
     operate with high proportions of hydrogen or other renewable 
     gas fuels;
       (6) enhance foundational knowledge needed for low-emission 
     combustion systems that can work in high-pressure, high-
     temperature environments required for high-efficiency cycles;
       (7) increase operational flexibility by reducing turbine 
     start-up times and improving the ability to accommodate 
     flexible power demand; and
       (8) include any other elements necessary to achieve the 
     goals described in subsection (c), as determined by the 
     Secretary in consultation with private industry.
       (c) Program Goals.--
       (1) In general.--The goals of the program shall be--
       (A) in phase I, to develop a conceptual design of, and to 
     develop and demonstrate the technology required for--
       (i) advanced high efficiency gas turbines to achieve, on a 
     lower heating value basis--

       (I) a combined cycle efficiency of not less than 65 
     percent; or
       (II) a simple cycle efficiency of not less than 47 percent; 
     and

       (ii) aviation gas turbines to achieve a 25 percent 
     reduction in fuel burn by improving fuel efficiency to 
     existing best-in-class turbo-fan engines; and
       (B) in phase II, to develop a conceptual design of advanced 
     high efficiency gas turbines that can achieve, on a lower 
     heating value basis--
       (i) a combined cycle efficiency of not less than 67 
     percent; or
       (ii) a simple cycle efficiency of not less than 50 percent.
       (2) Additional goals.--If a goal described in paragraph (1) 
     has been achieved, the Secretary, in consultation with 
     private industry and the National Academy of Sciences, may 
     develop additional goals or phases for advanced gas turbine 
     research and development.
       (d) Financial Assistance.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary may provide financial 
     assistance, including grants, to carry out the program.
       (2) Proposals.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall solicit proposals 
     from industry, small businesses, universities, and other 
     appropriate parties for conducting activities under this 
     section.
       (3) Considerations.--In selecting proposed projects to 
     receive financial assistance under this section, the 
     Secretary shall give special consideration to the extent to 
     which the proposed project will--
       (A) stimulate the creation or increased retention of jobs 
     in the United States; and
       (B) promote and enhance technology leadership in the United 
     States.
       (4) Competitive awards.--The Secretary shall provide 
     financial assistance under this section on a competitive 
     basis, with an emphasis on technical merit.
       (5) Cost sharing.--Section 988 of the Energy Policy Act of 
     2005 (42 U.S.C. 16352) shall apply to financial assistance 
     provided under this section.
       (e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized 
     to be appropriated to carry out this section $50,000,000 for 
     each of fiscal years 2021 through 2025.
                                 ______