With above-normal temperatures forecast for much of California, the manager of the state’s power grid issued a statewide Flex Alert that will take effect Wednesday afternoon, calling for voluntary electricity conservation.
According to the California Independent System Operator, the Flex Alert will be in effect from 4 to 9 p.m. “due to predicted high energy demand and tight supplies on the power grid.”
“The power grid operator is predicting an increase in electricity demand, primarily from air conditioning use,” according to Cal-ISO. “The increased demand can make electricity supplies tight and strain the power grid, making conservation essential.”
During the Flex Alert time period, consumers are asked to lower their thermostats to 78 degrees or higher, if health permits, and take other voluntary measures, including avoiding the use of major appliances and unnecessary lights.
According to the National Weather Service, a high-pressure system will continue bringing elevated temperatures to the region, likely into early next week, primarily in more inland areas.
“Temperatures will remain above normal across interior valleys, mountains, and deserts while coastal areas will continue to see a shallow marine layer with morning and night-time low clouds and patchy fog,” according to the NWS.
To take full advantage of all available supply, Cal-ISO has also issued a restricted maintenance operation for noon to 9 p.m. Wednesday, notifying ISO participants to avoid taking grid assets offline for routine maintenance until the restriction is lifted.
“Conserving electricity during the late afternoon and early evening is crucial because that is when the grid is most stressed due to higher demand and declining solar energy production,” according to Cal-ISO. “In the past, reducing energy use during a Flex Alert has helped operators keep the power grid stable during tight supply conditions and prevented further emergency measures, including rotating power outages.”
UPDATE: The initial alert that was in effect from 4 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 8, has been extended to Thursday, Sept. 9, from 4 to 9 p.m.
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Told you so says
Should have built the Palmdale power plant.
B. Franklin says
Wrecks killed the Palmdale power plant. He would rather have oil and coal burning plants burn through the night than a natural gas power plant. In case someone hasn’t told Wreck yet, when the sun goes down, solar stops producing. When the wind doesn’t blow, wind stops producing.
For someone who claims to hate fossil fuels, why does Wrecks have a private plane and an Astor Martin which are both fueled by fossil fuels? Why does he have two mansions? They sure use a lot of electricity at night.
William says
Wrecks likes fossil fuels because he is a fossil, an old thing trapped in time.
He should have his house next to La Brea Tar Pits instead of Laguna.
Want some even worse news. Is Marvin set to be the next mayor after Wrecks is done grifting Lancaster and Palmdale? Egads!!!
John Thomas says
The big belly bully is the enforcer of what wreaks and the good old boys want, keeps the good old boys happy while Marvin proves his worth. I suspect big belly will run when he is allowed.
William says
That’s weird. It’t not that hot today is it? It’s not 112.
Thanks to Republicans, we will be a 3rd world country before long. Texas had a power shotage when the weather got cold. The east coast had a gas shortage due to a hack job while cars and trucks were running around Afghanistan. Where did they fillup?
Jimmy Carter put solar panels on the White House roof.
Ronald Reagan removed them.
Ross Perot proposed a 50 cent gas tax back in 1992. Americans didn’t like that. We coulda had some infrastucture built buy now and saved some money but noooo.
Didn’t happen and then 10 years later, the roads were filled with Hummers Ford Excursions, Escalades, and millions of gas guzzlers that had to be crushed in 2009.
Gas prices were low in 2020 due to low demand because of COVID, so look around. Dumb Americans are buying big trucks again like they haven’t learned a thing.
That’s all okay. The universe doesn’t care does it if the United States goes down the tubes. And neither does the Trumper Taliban.
Douglas Turner says
Is Tim Scott on vacation?
Dummie says
I need to charge my Tesla tho