California faces worsening grid challenges on Monday and Tuesday

Demand for power approaching record levels; CAISO calls for even greater reductions in electricity use

September 5, 2022 - FOLSOM, Calif. – With historic heat bearing down on California for the next several days and energy demand approaching record levels, the California Independent System Operator (ISO) is stepping up its call for consumers to lower electricity use in the afternoons and evenings to avoid outages.

“Starting today, this multi-day event is going to get much more intense,” said ISO President and CEO Elliot Mainzer. “We are facing a load forecast of 48,817 megawatts and energy deficits between 2,000 and 4,000 megawatts for Monday, resulting in the highest likelihood of rotating outages we have seen so far this summer.

“Because of the increasingly extreme conditions, we will need significant additional consumer demand reductions during the hours of 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Monday and access to all the emergency tools that the state and utilities have established for an extreme event like this one. We thank electricity consumers for their sustained effort to help us maintain reliability during these very difficult conditions.”

The ISO has issued a statewide Flex Alert, its sixth straight day calling for consumers to cut their electricity use, today from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., when they are urged to set thermostats to 78 degrees or higher, avoid using major appliances, and turn off all unnecessary lights.The extra hour of reduced energy use is needed because of projected market deficiencies through 10 p.m.

Additional calls for reducing energy consumption are expected as the state endures record-breaking temperatures lasting at least through Friday. The heat wave is historic for both its temperatures and its duration.

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.

Learn more about conserving energy or sign up for text notifications at www.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: Washer and dryer, Dishwasher, 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
Source: CA. ISO