H.R. 8706

119 HR 8706 IH: Better Energy Storage and Safety Act
 U.S. House of Representatives
 2026-05-07
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 I  119th CONGRESS  2d Session  H. R. 8706  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.
1.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the   Better Energy Storage and Safety Act  .
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.
 .