CONCENTRATING SOLAR POWER COMMERCIAL APPLICATION STUDIES.

SEC. 603. CONCENTRATING SOLAR POWER COMMERCIAL APPLICATION STUDIES.(a) Integration.—The Secretary shall conduct a study on methods to integrate concentrating solar power and utility-scale photovoltaic systems into regional electricity transmission systems, and to identify new transmission or transmission upgrades needed to bring electricity from high concentrating solar power resource areas to growing electric power load centers throughout the United States. The study shall analyze and assess cost-effective approaches for management and large-scale integration of concentrating solar power and utility-scale photovoltaic systems into regional electric transmission grids to improve electric reliability, to efficiently manage load, and to reduce demand on the natural gas transmission system for electric power. The Secretary shall submit a report to Congress on the results of this study not later than 12 months after the date of enactment of this Act.(b) Water Consumption.—Not later than 6 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Energy shall transmit to Congress a report on the results of a study on methods to reduce the amount of water consumed by concentrating solar power systems.