GRIData Act of 2024

The GRIData Act of 2024 requires the Secretary of Energy to identify, analyze, and share data to improve the reliability and resilience of the electric grid, especially in rural, low-income, disadvantaged, and energy communities, and to improve long-term reliability assessments, resource adequacy models, and integrated resource planning.

Sec. 2, Definitions: Defines key terms including reliability (ability to withstand instability and failures), resilience (ability to adapt and recover from disruptions), and specific reliability metrics like SAIDI, SAIFI, CAIDI, and MAIFI as per IEEE 1366. Also defines resource adequacy, integrated resource planning, and requires the Secretary to define 'disadvantaged community', 'low-income community', and 'rural area' using existing legal definitions.

Sec. 3, Identification, Analysis, and Sharing of Data: The Secretary must work with entities to identify, analyze, and share data. This includes considering types of reliability data (like IEEE 1366 metrics), temporal frequency (annual reporting and real-time outage info), and spatial resolution. For weather data, the Secretary must work with agencies to consider data type, representativeness, spatial resolution (2 km grid), frequency (hourly or every 15 minutes), and duration (30-year period). The Secretary must also consider future needs like AI, changing energy mix, security, and costs. Methods and platforms include existing surveys (EIA-861) and data platforms (Open Energy Data Initiative, ODIN).

Sec. 3(c), Data and Information Sharing: Within 1 year, the Secretary must report to Congress with findings and recommendations on data types, resolution, collection methods, and sharing platforms. Within 18 months, the Secretary must identify or establish websites to share data, preferring fewer centralized sites. Websites must be updated as needed.

Sec. 3(d), Steering Committee: The Secretary must establish a steering committee with stakeholders from federal agencies (e.g., Office of Electricity, FERC), regulators and power sectors (e.g., NERC, NARUC, utilities), and subject matter experts. The committee will guide priorities like customer affordability, feasibility, leveraging existing capabilities, and protecting sensitive data. The Federal Advisory Committee Act does not apply.

Sec. 3(e), Responsibilities and Costs: The Secretary may collaborate with utilities, cooperatives, and labs. Appropriated funds must be used to avoid imposing additional costs on electric cooperatives, utilities, and assisting entities. The Secretary may establish new programs. Nothing precludes states from collecting additional data.

Sec. 3(f), Authorization of Appropriations: Authorizes $10,000,000 for the first fiscal year after enactment to carry out this section.