Energy Trust of Oregon preliminary 2013 results reflect a strong year-end finish with energy savings and renewable energy generation achieved through continued and new innovative offerings. Preliminary electric savings of 57.8 average megawatts exceeded the year’s “stretch” goal, and natural gas savings of 5.3 million annual therms achieved 97 percent of “stretch” goal. In addition, Energy Trust generated 2.87 aMW of renewable energy through support for installation of biopower, solar, small wind and other renewable energy technologies.
With the help of Portland General Electric, Pacific Power, NW Natural, Cascade Natural Gas and more than 2,700 trade ally contractors and other allied professionals, Energy Trust engaged customers with valuable services and incentives to encourage investment in energy-efficient equipment, products and solutions in homes, businesses, schools, public buildings, industrial facilities and agricultural operations.
Energy-efficiency projects generated substantial low-cost savings in 2013, especially from new construction of large data centers, direct installation of energy-saving products in multifamily buildings such as apartments and condominiums, behavioral savings strategies in industrial facilities and new lighting products such as LEDs. Additional accomplishments in 2013 include rating the 4,000th new home with EPS™, an energy performance score that helps homebuyers and builders compare energy use and costs of homes, and launching EPS for existing homes. Energy Trust also helped the 5,000th home in Oregon install solar panels. With Energy Trust’s support, JC-Biomethane, LLC became the first biogas plant in the Pacific Northwest to produce renewable energy from the digestion of post-consumer commercial food waste. The Willamette Valley plant is expected to produce 12,250 megawatt-hours of electricity annually.
Although unofficial, preliminary results serve as a first look at Energy Trust’s annual performance. Comprehensive 2013 results will be provided in the Energy Trust 2013 Annual Report to the Oregon Public Utility Commission, available April 15.