Building a modern energy grid for the District of Columbia
Overview
PowerPath DC is a groundbreaking initiative led by the Public Service Commission of the District of Columbia to modernize the city's energy grid and achieve the District's
ambitious clean energy and climate goals.
Launched in 2020, this initiative represents a collaborative effort between utilities, government agencies, and communities to create a more sustainable, reliable, and equitable energy future.
Through innovative
pilot projects and other strategic programs, PowerPath DC is enhancing grid infrastructure, empowering residents, and supporting the District's transition to renewable energy.
What is PowerPath DC?
PowerPath DC is transforming the District's energy landscape by:
- Integrating renewable energy: Promoting solar and other renewable sources to reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
- Modernizing the grid: Upgrading energy infrastructure to support distributed energy resources (DERs) like rooftop solar and battery storage.
- Empowering consumers: Providing tools and programs, such as DC Power Connect, that allow residents and businesses to better manage their energy use and contribute to sustainability goals.
These efforts are grounded in collaboration with stakeholders, including the
PowerPath DC Pilot Project Governance Board, which ensures diverse voices help shape the initiative’s direction. PowerPath DC is working to deliver a host of benefits, including cleaner air, lower energy costs, improved grid reliability, economic growth, and enhanced community resilience.
Key Initiatives
PowerPath DC supports the District in achieving its ambitious
clean energy goals by advancing several transformative efforts:
- Improving customer data access: Enhancing tools for residents to access and share energy usage data, fostering personalized energy solutions.
- Expanding DER ownership: Supporting models for customer and utility ownership of DERs, like solar panels and storage systems.
- Streamlining interconnection: Simplifying processes for renewable energy systems to connect to the grid.
- Developing non-wires alternatives: Piloting innovative solutions that leverage DERs to replace traditional grid upgrades.
- Promoting advanced inverters: Educating stakeholders about inverters that improve grid stability and renewable integration.
- Exploring performance-based regulation: Aligning utility incentives with clean energy and reliability performance goals.