; and (ii) the most effective mechanisms for opening electricity markets to increased competition, consumer choice, and innovation. (2) Public comment In conducting the study under paragraph (1), the Secretary and the Commission shall solicit relevant public comments. (3) Consultation As soon as practicable after the date of enactment of this Act, in conducting the study under paragraph (1), the Secretary and the Commission shall engage a broad set of experts from other Federal agencies, the National Laboratories, the National Academy of Sciences, States, Tribal governments, units of local government, industry, research institutions, nonprofit organizations, consumer advocates, and other interested parties. (4) Reports Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, and not less frequently than once every 3 years thereafter, the Secretary and the Commission shall submit to Congress a report describing the results of the most recent study conducted under paragraph (1). (c) Modeling (1) In general The Secretary, in consultation with the Administrator, shall expand modeling capabilities for the electric power sector to more accurately reflect the role of distributed energy resources in current and future energy consumption and in the optimization of the electric grid. (2) Grid optimization in the context of DER and storage Not later than 1 year after the date of submission of the initial report required under subsection (c)(2) of section 921 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 ( 42 U.S.C. 16211 ), the Secretary, in consultation with the Administrator and the Commission, shall provide modeling tools to assist energy distribution utilities, State regulatory authorities, State energy offices, third-party energy service providers, and wholesale market operators in the planning and market analysis required for cost-effective optimization of the electric grid and deployment of distributed energy resources and grid-scale energy storage, including modeling tools for assessing individual technologies,