Energy Resilience vs. Energy Security
Resilience is a term that is often heard across issues of public concern, but what does it mean in the context of energy? Energy resilience refers to the ability of energy systems, from production through delivery to end-users, to withstand and rapidly restore energy delivery following non-routine disruptions of severe impact or duration. These disruptions can be caused by natural hazards and physical or cyber-attacks on energy systems. Read full “Energy Resilience” section
Energy resilience is a subset of energy security. Energy security encompasses efforts to ensure energy supply, affordability, accessibility, reliability, and resilience.
Energy Reliability is the ability of energy systems to withstand and recover from typical disruptions. Typical disruptions could include average winter weather or branches falling on a powerline.
Example of a Microgrid and Its Components
Why Does Energy Resilience Matter?
Fundamentally, energy resilience matters because access to energy matters. Energy systems are the backbone for essential services such as life safety; heating, cooling, and air filtration; communications and information systems; transportation; production of food and goods; and medical care. These services are important under normal conditions and critical during emergencies.
Building energy resilience across larger energy systems and in communities is also critical to help ensure equitable protection from energy disruptions.
Building a More Resilient Oregon
Oregon is engaged in a variety of efforts to increase energy resilience. ODOE has developed the Oregon Energy Security Plan, which includes a risk assessment of the state’s liquid fuels, natural gas, and electricity systems, and mitigation measures to address risks and increase resilience. ODOE is also developing the Oregon Energy Strategy, which will present pathways to achieve the state’s energy goals, including bolstering resilience.
Additionally, ODOE is currently administering several federal grant programs: Grid Resilience, Solar for All, Home Energy Rebates, and Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants. ODOE runs several state-created grant programs that support energy resilience projects and planning: the Community Renewable Energy Grant Program, Oregon Solar + Storage Rebate Program, and the County Energy Resilience Program.
For a more in-depth discussion of Oregon’s resilience actions taken in recent years and planned for the future, see sections 10 and 11 of the Oregon Energy Security Plan.