SEPA Delivers MEDSIS Stakeholder Working Group Report to the DC Public Service Commission

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, the Smart Electric Power Alliance (SEPA) delivered the Modernizing the Energy Delivery System for Increased Sustainability (MEDSIS) Stakeholder Working Groups Report to the District of Columbia Public Service Commission (DCPSC), marking the completion of Phase 2 of the MEDSIS Initiative. After reviewing the document, the Commission will issue an order based on the stakeholder recommendations within 60 days of receipt.

The Full Report of the DCPSC MEDSIS Stakeholder Working Groups can be found on the DCPSC website: Available here.

The DCPSC hired SEPA in June, 2018, as an independent consultant to facilitate Phases 1 and 2 of the MEDSIS Initiative. In Phase 1, SEPA conducted a Technical Conference to determine the appropriateness of executing a system assessment and to identify the appropriate working groups for Phase 2 of the project. Based on SEPA’s recommendations, the DCPSC established six stakeholder working groups, on August 9, 2018, focused on grid modernization in the District.

• WG1: Data and Information Access and Alignment
• WG2: Non-wires Alternatives to Grid Investments
• WG3: Rate Design
• WG4: Customer Impact
• WG5: Microgrids
• WG6: Pilot Projects

Full descriptions of the workings and their charters can be found here.

In Phase 2 of the MEDSIS Initiative, SEPA facilitated and managed the six working groups which were comprised of a diverse group of industry stakeholders, District residents, advocacy groups, government organizations, and other interested parties. Their objective was to gather input from the various stakeholder groups and submit a report to the Commission with recommendations for the next steps of the MEDSIS Initiative.

The MEDSIS Stakeholder Working Group report is the culmination of a ten-month-long working group process that began in August of 2018 and yielded 32 recommendations to the Commission. Throughout the working group process, there was a total of 50 meetings held — 48 individual working group meetings and 2 all-day joint working group meetings, involving over 240 participants.

Recommendations and learnings in the report take a comprehensive look at the District’s energy delivery system addressing enhanced distribution system planning, microgrid regulatory frameworks, innovative rate design, enhanced customer engagement and education, data access and availability, and other topics related to grid modernization in the District.

“SEPA applauds the over 240 stakeholders who participated,” stated Sharon Allan, SEPA Chief Innovation Officer.  “Ending this process with actionable recommendations for the commission aligns with SEPA’s commitment to helping drive regulatory innovation in the US. We are working to guide the transition to a cleaner and smarter yet still safe, reliable and affordable power system.”

There will be a town hall meeting on June 13, 2019 from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm to allow for public comment on the recommendations in the report. Following the town hall meeting, the Commission has committed to issuing an order based upon the recommendations.

Media contact: Harry Cutler, [email protected], 202-871-7533