With high temperatures expected around California through the Labor Day Weekend and beyond, the people who run the power grid are not confident they can generate enough electricity to keep the lights on and the air conditioners humming.

So, the California Independent System Operator has called a Flex Alert, urging people to reduce their use of electricity.

The Flex Alert is in effect through Thursday September 1st 2022 but could be extended.

That means turning off your major appliances, washers, dryers, dishwashers, electric car charging stations, pool pumps, between 4 in the afternoon and 9 at night.

Residents of the State of California have dealt with rotating power outages in the past, and is threatened with them again, if they don’t reduce their power use.

In Northern California, residents routinely deal with power outages when Pacific Gas and Electric turns off the power on windy days, when the threat of downed power lines increases the risk of wildfires in rural areas.

During a press conference Wednesday afternoon, California Governor Gavin Newsom said California is securing additional power from other states.  Buying additional electricity from what is called the ‘spot market’, is expensive, and much of that power is generated from fossil fuels.  Newsom is working to get California to a zero-emission future, where all power is generated by the wind and the sun.

California ISO extends Flex Alert to Thursday, Sept. 1st 2022

Extreme heat continues urgent need to conserve electricity from 4 to 9 p.m.

FOLSOM, Calif. – The California Independent System Operator (ISO) has extended its statewide Flex Alert, calling for a second consecutive day of voluntary electricity conservation tomorrow, Thursday, Sept. 1, from 4 to 9 p.m., due to continuing extreme temperatures pushing up energy demand and tightening available power supplies.

With excessive heat in the forecast across much of the state and Western U.S., the grid operator is again expecting high electricity demand, primarily from air conditioning use, and is calling for the public to conserve as much electricity as possible from 4 to 9 p.m.
The Flex Alert was first called on Wednesday August 31st 2022.

Additional Flex Alerts could be issued through the Labor Day weekend as triple-digit temperatures are forecast across much of California and the West.

In what’s likely to be the most extensive heat wave so far in the West this year, temperatures in Northern California are expected to be 10-20 degrees warmer than normal through Tuesday, Sept. 6. In Southern California, temperatures are expected to be 10-18 degrees warmer than normal. A majority of weather stations in California’s interior are poised to break their respective daily records over the holiday weekend, with
the chance of monthly records being broken at a handful of stations.

The Flex Alert for Thursday, Sept. 1 is scheduled for 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., when the grid is most stressed from higher demand and less solar energy. During that time, consumers are urged to conserve power by setting thermostats to 78 degrees or higher, if health permits, avoiding use of major appliances and turning off unnecessary lights. They should also avoid charging electric vehicles while the Flex Alert is in effect.
To minimize discomfort and help with grid stability, consumers are also encouraged to pre-cool their homes and use major appliances and charge electric vehicles and electronic devices before 4 p.m., when conservation begins to become most critical.

Reducing energy use during a Flex Alert can help stabilize the power grid during tight supply conditions and prevent further emergency measures, including rotating power outages.

For information on Flex Alerts, and to find more electricity conservation tips, visit FlexAlert.org.
Flex Alert Conservation Actions
Before 4 p.m.:
 Pre-cool home by setting the thermostat to as low as 72 degrees
 Use major appliances, including:
o Washer and dryer
o Dishwasher
o Oven and stove for pre-cooking and preparing meals
 Charge electric vehicles
 Adjust blinds and drapes to cover windows
From 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.:
 Set thermostat to 78 degrees or higher, if health permits
 Avoid using major appliances and charging electric vehicles
 Turn off all unnecessary lights

About Flex Alerts:
A Flex Alert is issued by the ISO when the electricity grid is under stress because of
generation or transmission outages, or from persistent hot temperatures.
View the fact sheet on Emergency Notifications on our News webpage.
Follow grid conditions in real time at ISO’s Today’s Outlook, download the free ISO
Today mobile app, and follow us on Twitter at @California_ISO.

California ISO | 250 Outcropping Way | Folsom, CA 95630 | www.caiso.com

 

Flex Alert Sign shows a person’s hand, pushing down on an electric light switch to turn the light off, with the words FLEX ALERT on a lime green background.

Photo from Flex Alert.org