S. 2310Senate117th Congress (2021-2023)In Committee

A bill to require the Secretary of Energy to conduct a study regarding codes and standards for use of energy storage systems across sectors and demonstrate certain second-life applications of electric vehicle batteries, and for other purposes.

Introduced July 12, 2021

AI-Generated Summary

Updated February 8, 2026 at 5:14 AM UTC

The bill directs the Secretary of Energy to study the codes and standards that apply to stationary, mobile, and hybrid energy‑storage systems, identify barriers, and recommend updates, with a report due 18 months after enactment. It also requires the Department to carry out a demonstration project that uses repurposed electric‑vehicle batteries as aggregated storage for the electric grid. The effort targets improved safety, reliability, grid services, peak‑load reduction, extended battery life, and greater utility adoption, especially at sites like affordable housing or senior‑care facilities.

Key Provisions

  • Conduct a study of existing codes and standards for stationary, mobile, and dual‑use energy‑storage systems, consult standards organizations and stakeholders, identify needed revisions, and submit a report to Congress within 18 months.
  • Require the Secretary of Energy to enter an agreement to demonstrate a second‑life electric‑vehicle battery project that aggregates batteries for grid services.
  • Set demonstration goals to show safety, reliability, provision of ancillary grid services, reduction of peak loads, extension of battery life before recycling, and increased utility participation.
  • Give priority to projects paired with facilities that would benefit from increased resiliency and lower energy costs, such as affordable housing, senior‑care, or community health centers.

Legislative Activity

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SenateIntro Referral Latest Action

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

July 12, 2021

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SenateIntro Referral

Introduced in Senate

July 12, 2021

SenateIntro Referral

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

July 12, 2021

Bill Text

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Introduced in SenateIssued July 12, 2021

II

117th CONGRESS

1st Session

S. 2310

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

July 12, 2021

Mr. King introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources

A BILL

To require the Secretary of Energy to conduct a study regarding codes and standards for use of energy storage systems across sectors and demonstrate certain second-life applications of electric vehicle batteries, and for other purposes.

1.

Study of codes and standards for use of energy storage systems across sectors

(a)

In general

The Secretary shall conduct a study of types and commercial applications of codes and standards applied to—

(1)

stationary energy storage systems;

(2)

mobile energy storage systems; and

(3)

energy storage systems that move between stationary and mobile applications, such as electric vehicle batteries or batteries repurposed for new applications.

(b)

Purposes

The purposes of the study conducted under subsection (a) shall be—

(1)

to identify barriers, foster collaboration, and increase conformity across sectors relating to—

(A)

use of emerging energy storage technologies; and

(B)

use cases, such as vehicle-to-grid integration;

(2)

to identify all existing codes and standards that apply to energy storage systems;

(3)

to identify codes and standards that require revision or enhancement;

(4)

to enhance the safe implementation of energy storage systems; and

(5)

to receive formal input from stakeholders regarding—

(A)

existing codes and standards; and

(B)

new or revised codes and standards.

(c)

Consultation

In conducting the study under subsection (a), the Secretary shall consult with all relevant standards-developing organizations and other entities with expertise regarding energy storage system safety.

(d)

Report

Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report describing the results of the study conducted under subsection (a).

2.

Demonstration of electric vehicle battery second-life applications for grid services

Section 3201(c) of the Energy Act of 2020 (42 U.S.C. 17232(c)) is amended—

(1)

in paragraph (1)—

(A)

by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and;

(B)

by striking including at and inserting the following: “including—

(A)

at

; and

(C)

by adding at the end the following:

(B)

1 project to demonstrate second-life applications of electric vehicle batteries as aggregated energy storage installations to provide services to the electric grid, in accordance with paragraph (3).

;

(2)

by redesignating paragraphs (3) and (4) as paragraphs (4) and (5), respectively; and

(3)

by inserting after paragraph (2) the following:

(3)

Demonstration of electric vehicle battery second-life applications for grid services

(A)

In general

The Secretary shall enter into an agreement to carry out a project to demonstrate second-life applications of electric vehicle batteries as aggregated energy storage installations to provide services to the electric grid.

(B)

Purposes

The purposes of the project under subparagraph (A) shall be—

(i)

to demonstrate power safety and the reliability of the applications demonstrated under the program;

(ii)

to demonstrate the ability of electric vehicle batteries—

(I)

to provide ancillary services for grid stability and management; and

(II)

to reduce the peak loads of homes and businesses;

(iii)

to extend the useful life of electric vehicle batteries and the components of electric vehicle batteries prior to the collection, recycling, and reprocessing of the batteries and components; and

(iv)

to increase acceptance of, and participation in, the use of second-life applications of electric vehicle batteries by utilities.

(C)

Priority

In selecting a project to carry out under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall give priority to projects in which the demonstration of the applicable second-life applications is paired with 1 or more facilities that could particularly benefit from increased resiliency and lower energy costs, such as a multi-family affordable housing facility, a senior care facility, and a community health center.

.