The Secretary shall make competitive, merit-based grants to consortia for the development of micro-cogeneration energy technology.

The consortia shall explore—

(1) the use of small-scale combined heat and power in residential heating appliances;

(2) the use of excess power to operate other appliances within the residence; and

(3) the supply of excess generated power to the power grid.

(Pub. L. 109–58, title IX, § 923, Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 865.)