Solar + software: D.C. launches grid pilot with Ecosuite, Ecogy Energy
As part of the District of Columbia’s ambitious PowerPath DC initiative, the Public Service Commission has selected Ecosuite and Ecogy Energy to participate in a new pilot project aimed at unlocking the full potential of distributed energy resources (DERs) through advanced inverter capabilities and real-time grid interaction.
Announced July 30, the Solar Aggregation and Advanced Inverter Pilot Project will test how a range of DERs — including solar PV, battery storage, building load flexibility, and EV charging — can be digitally aggregated and managed to increase solar hosting capacity, reduce interconnection costs, and provide grid services in real time.
“This pilot shows what’s possible when open-source innovation meets public policy and utility leadership,” said Joel Santisteban, CEO of Ecosuite. “We’re excited to demonstrate how flexible DER assets can be securely aggregated to enhance grid reliability and lower costs across the District.”
Ecosuite and Ecogy
Ecosuite develops open-source software for integrating and optimizing DERs, offering utilities and asset owners real-time visibility and control. Ecogy Energy is a renewable energy developer with a national portfolio, focused on community-centered clean energy deployment.
Ecosuite will supply the digital infrastructure to enable secure, two-way communication and control across a network of Ecogy Energy–owned sites in Washington, D.C. The pilot will be conducted in close collaboration with PEPCO, the region’s electric utility, and overseen by a Governance Board that includes community, environmental, and industry stakeholders.
PowerPath DC
The project is part of DCPSC’s broader strategy to modernize the local grid while enabling decarbonization, energy equity, and reliability. By proving that advanced inverters and smart DER coordination can support grid stability and reduce infrastructure costs, the pilot could help shape future grid planning and interconnection rules — not only in D.C., but as a replicable model in other jurisdictions.
