Energy 101

How Energy is Produced, Used, and Transformed

Consumption by Source

Oregon relies on energy from a variety of resources. We import energy like gasoline, natural gas, propane, and other fuels. We use electricity from both in- and out-of-state sources—including coal, natural gas, nuclear, hydropower, wind, and other renewable resources.

Full Energy 101 Section

For this introduction to Oregon’s energy use, the report sorts energy into three main categories:

Electricity:

This is where most people begin when thinking about energy—the critical resource that powers our day-to-day lives. The electricity Oregonians use comes from facilities across the western United States and in Oregon. This percentage also accounts for the energy in fuels that come from out of state, such as natural gas, but generate electricity in-state, as well as the energy losses associated with electricity generation.

Direct Use Fuels: What We Use and Where it Comes From:

This category includes fuel oil and natural gas used to heat homes and commercial spaces, fuels used for other residential purposes, such as gas stoves, solar thermal heating, and fuels used directly in industrial processes.


Transportation Fuels:

This includes personal, passenger, and commercial vehicles, both on and off the roads, plus airplanes, boats, barges, ships, and trains. Nearly all transportation-related sources of energy are imported from out of state for in-state use.

Backup Power

Backup power systems provide emergency onsite energy generation in the event of a power outage. These systems use generators or battery storage to provide emergency backup power. Fossil fuel generators have traditionally been used for industrial or institutional uses, such as at hospitals, as well as for residences. These systems may use diesel, gasoline, propane, or natural gas to generate onsite electricity. Recently, however, technology advancements and price reductions have increased the use of solar energy systems paired with battery storage to provide backup power in residential and small commercial applications.

Energy and our Daily Lives

The second part of the story is how energy systems affect the lives of Oregonians. Information in this section includes an explanation of energy bills and how net metering works for technologies like rooftop solar. Readers can then learn more about the very real challenges of energy burden in our state, along with the growth and opportunities of clean energy jobs in Oregon.