§ 12003. National goals and multi-year funding for Federal wind, photovoltaics, and solar thermal programs
(a)
National goals
The following are declared to be the national goals for the wind, photovoltaics, and solar thermal energy programs being carried out by the Secretary:
(1)
Wind
(A)
In general, the goals for the Wind Energy Research Program include improving design methodologies and developing more reliable and efficient wind turbines to increase the cost competitiveness of wind energy. Research efforts shall emphasize—
(i)
activities that address near-term technical problems and assist private sector exploitation of market opportunities of the wind energy industry;
(ii)
developing technologies such as advanced airfoils and variable speed generators to increase wind turbine output and reduce maintenance costs by decreasing structural stress and fatigue;
(B)
Specific goals for the Wind Energy Research Program shall be to—
(ii)
reduce capital costs of new wind energy systems to $500 to $750 per kilowatt of installed capacity by 1995;
(2)
Photovoltaics
(A)
In general, the goals of the Photovoltaic Energy Systems Program shall include improving the reliability and conversion efficiencies of and lowering the costs of photovoltaic conversion. Research efforts shall emphasize advancements in the performance, stability, and durability of photovoltaic materials.
(3)
Solar thermal
(A)
In general, the goal of the Solar Thermal Energy Systems Program shall be to advance research and development to a point where solar thermal technology is cost-competitive with conventional energy sources, and to promote the integration of this technology into the production of industrial process heat and the conventional utility network. Research and development shall emphasize development of a thermal storage technology to provide capacity for shifting power to periods of demand when full insolation is not available; improvement in receivers, energy conversion devices, and innovative concentrators using stretch membranes, lenses, and other materials; and exploration of advanced manufacturing techniques.
(4)
Alcohol from biomass
(A)
In general, the goal of the Alcohol From Biomass Program shall be to advance research and development to a point where alcohol from biomass technology is cost-competitive with conventional hydrocarbon transportation fuels, and to promote the integration of this technology into the transportation fuel sector of the economy.
(5)
Other technologies
The Secretary shall submit to the Congress, as part of the first report submitted under section
12006 of this title, recommendations for specific cost goals and other pertinent goals for 1995 for Department of Energy research, development, and demonstration programs in Biofuels Energy Systems, Biodiesel Energy Systems, Hydrogen Energy Systems, Solar Buildings Energy Systems, Ocean Energy Systems, Geothermal Energy Systems, Low-Head Hydro, and Energy Storage Systems.
(b)
Amended goals
Whenever the Secretary determines that any of the goals established under this section is no longer appropriate, the Secretary shall notify Congress, as part of a report submitted under section
12006 of this title, of the reason for the determination and provide an amended goal that is consistent with the purpose stated in section
12001
(b) of this title.
(c)
Authorizations
There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary for the following renewable energy research, development, and demonstration programs: the Wind Energy Research Program, the Photovoltaic Energy Systems Program, the Solar Thermal Energy Systems Program, the Biofuels Energy Systems Program, the Hydrogen Energy Systems Program, the Solar Buildings Energy Systems Program, the Ocean Energy Systems Program, and the Geothermal Energy Systems Program—