((a)) ** In general** The Secretary shall establish a grant program to carry out eligible projects related to the modernization of the electric grid, including the application of technologies to improve observability, advanced controls, and prediction of system performance on the distribution system.

((b)) ** Eligible projects** To be eligible for a grant under subsection (a), a project shall—

((1)) be designed to improve the performance and efficiency of the future electric grid, while ensuring the continued provision of safe, secure, reliable, and affordable power; and

((2)) demonstrate—

((A)) secure integration and management of two or more energy resources, including distributed energy generation, combined heat and power, micro-grids, energy storage, electric vehicles, energy efficiency, demand response, and intelligent loads; and

((B)) secure integration and interoperability of communications and information technologies.