Overview
The Community Heat Pump Pilot Project, the first pilot project selected by the
PowerPath DC Pilot Projects Governance Board, aimed to design and construct a large community heat pump system in the District to serve aggregations of buildings to advance the city’s goal of carbon neutrality. By leveraging economies of scale, the project’s main goal was to offer long-term benefits to both residents and the wider community, ultimately promoting a modern, sustainable energy infrastructure.
Project Status
Two community heat pump pilot projects are currently underway. The DCPSC
awarded a $2.5 million contract for the geothermal heat pump system at Barry Farm Redevelopment in Ward 8 in 2023, collaborating with Preservation for Affordable Housing (POAH), Brightcore Energy, and Engenium Group. The project will enhance the energy efficiency of the development, providing residents with an affordable, reliable, and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional fossil fuel systems.
A second community heat pump, at the Meadow Green Courts apartment community in Ward 8, is also in the design phase.
These pilot projects are also designed to inform future energy policy, providing key insights into the potential for widespread adoption of community-scale geothermal systems in urban settings.
Background
This pilot was part of a broader effort under the
Pepco Holdings, Inc.-Exelon merger agreement, which established a $21.55 million Pilot Project Fund Subaccount to support energy modernization projects in the District.