To provide for a program of wind energy research, development, and demonstration, and for other purposes.

Summary: Wind Energy Research and Development Act of 2009 - Directs the Secretary of Energy to carry out a research and development program to: (1) improve the energy efficiency, reliability, and capacity of wind turbines; (2) optimize the design and adaptability of wind energy systems to the broadest practical range of atmospheric conditions; and (3) reduce the cost of construction, generation, and maintenance of such systems.





Directs the Secretary to conduct a wind energy demonstration program to measure wind energy system performance under the full productive range of wind conditions in the United States.

Requires awards under such programs to be made on a competitive basis with an emphasis on technical merit.

Requires the Secretary, in carrying out this Act, to: (1) coordinate with the Office of Minority Economic Impact and with the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization; and (2) provide special consideration to applications submitted by institutions, businesses, or entities containing majority representation of women, minorities, or persons with disabilities in science and engineering.

Authorizes appropriations.

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Wind Energy Research and Development 
Act of 2009''.

SEC. 2. WIND ENERGY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of Energy shall carry out a program 
of research and development to--
            (1) improve the energy efficiency, reliability, and 
        capacity of wind turbines;
            (2) optimize the design and adaptability of wind energy 
        systems to the broadest practical range of atmospheric 
        conditions; and
            (3) reduce the cost of construction, generation, and 
        maintenance of wind energy systems.
    (b) Program.--The program under this section shall focus on 
research and development of--
            (1) new materials and designs to make larger, lighter, less 
        expensive, and more reliable rotor blades;
            (2) technologies to improve gearbox performance and 
        reliability;
            (3) automation, materials, and assembly of large-scale 
        components to reduce manufacturing costs;
            (4) low-cost transportable towers greater than 100 meters 
        in height to capitalize on improved wind conditions at higher 
        elevations;
            (5) advanced computational modeling tools to improve--
                    (A) the reliability of aeroelastic simulations of 
                wind energy systems;
                    (B) understanding of the interaction between each 
                wind turbine component;
                    (C) siting of wind energy systems to maximize 
                efficiency and minimize variable generation;
                    (D) integration of wind energy systems into the 
                existing electric grid to ensure reliability; and
                    (E) understanding of the wake effect between upwind 
                and downwind turbine operations;
            (6) advanced control systems and blade sensors to improve 
        performance and reliability under a wide variety of wind 
        conditions;
            (7) advanced generators, including--
                    (A) medium-speed and low-speed generators;
                    (B) direct-drive technology; and
                    (C) the use of advanced magnets in generator 
                rotors;
            (8) wind technology for offshore applications;
            (9) methods to assess and mitigate the effects of wind 
        energy systems on radar and electromagnetic fields;
            (10) wind turbines with a maximum electric power production 
        capacity of 100 kilowatts or less;
            (11) technical processes to enable--
                    (A) scalability of transmission from remotely 
                located renewable resource rich areas; and
                    (B) optimization of advanced infrastructure design, 
                including high voltage transmission; and
            (12) other research areas as determined by the Secretary.

SEC. 3. WIND ENERGY DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of Energy shall conduct a wind 
energy demonstration program. In carrying out this section, the 
Secretary shall ensure that--
            (1) the program is of sufficient size and geographic 
        diversity to measure wind energy system performance under the 
        full productive range of wind conditions in the United States;
            (2) demonstration projects carried out under this program 
        are--
                    (A) conducted in collaboration with industry and, 
                as appropriate, with academic institutions; and
                    (B) located in various geographic areas 
                representing various wind class regimes; and
            (3) data collected from demonstration projects carried out 
        under this program is useful for carrying out section 2(b).
    (b) Cost-Sharing.--The Secretary shall carry out the program under 
this section in compliance with section 988(a) through (d) and section 
989 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16352(a) through (d) 
and 16353).

SEC. 4. EQUAL OPPORTUNITY.

    In carrying out this Act, the Secretary of Energy shall--
            (1) coordinate with the Office of Minority Economic Impact 
        and with the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business 
        Utilization; and
            (2) provide special consideration to applications submitted 
        by institutions, businesses, or entities containing majority 
        representation by individuals identified in section 33 or 34 of 
        the Science and Engineering Equal Opportunities Act (42 U.S.C. 
        1885a or 1885b).

SEC. 5. COMPETITIVE AWARDS.

    Awards under section 2 and section 3 shall be made on a competitive 
basis with an emphasis on technical merit.

SEC. 6. COORDINATION AND NONDUPLICATION.

    To the maximum extent practicable the Secretary of Energy shall 
coordinate activities under this Act with other programs of the 
Department of Energy and other Federal research programs.

SEC. 7. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Energy 
to carry out this Act $200,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2010 
through 2014.

            Passed the House of Representatives September 9, 2009.

            Attest:

                                            LORRAINE C. MILLER,

                                                                 Clerk.