1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Expanding Access to Sustainable Energy Act of 2019 . 2. Definitions (a) Definitions In this Act: (1) Eligible entity The term eligible entity means— (A) a rural electric cooperative; and (B) two or more rural electric cooperatives working together. (2) Energy storage The term energy storage means the use of a system, equipment, facility, or technology that— (A) is capable of absorbing energy, storing that energy for a period of time, and dispatching the stored energy; and (B) (i) uses a mechanical, electrochemical, or thermal process to store energy that— (I) was generated at an earlier time for use at a later time; or (II) was generated from a mechanical process, and would otherwise be wasted, for delivery at a later time; or (ii) stores thermal energy for direct use for heating or cooling at a later time in a manner that avoids the need to use electricity at that later time, in the same manner as the storage and use offered by a grid-enabled water heater. (3) Island The term island , with respect to a distributed generator or energy storage equipment, means that the generator or equipment continues to power a location in the absence of electric power from a primary source. (4) Microgrid The term microgrid means an interconnected system of loads and distributed energy resources, including generators and energy storage devices, within clearly defined electrical boundaries that— (A) acts as a single controllable entity with respect to the grid