“We have now entered the most intense phase of this heat wave,” Eliot Mainzer, the head of the California Independent System Operator, or Cal ISO, said on Monday.
“We have now entered the most intense phase of this heat wave,” Eliot Mainzer, the head of the California Independent System Operator, or Cal ISO, said on Monday.
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“We have now entered the most intense phase of this heat wave,” Eliot Mainzer, the head of the California Independent System Operator, or Cal ISO, said on Monday.
California was able to avoid rolling blackouts Monday evening, but with Tuesday shaping up to be another scorching-hot day, the state's grid operator says rolling outages are still possible.
The California Independent System Operator, or Cal ISO, issued what it calls an Energy Emergency Alert 2 Notice for Monday from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., which is the last step before it declares rolling blackouts are imminent. With an EEA 2, Cal ISO says all available resources are in use.
Cal ISO also issued an Energy Emergency Alert Watch for Tuesday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. With an EEA Watch, energy deficiencies are expected and the grid manager will seek to get additional energy from other sources to help avoid the risk of a rolling blackout.
| VIDEO BELOW | Cal ISO issues an Energy Emergency Alert 2. Here's what that means
The Energy Emergency Alert Watch is not as critical an alert as an EEA 2, but it could be upgraded if energy demand outpaces maximum grid capacity.
Cal ISO head Elliot Mainzer said on Monday that Tuesday's estimated demand for power will be 51,000 megawatts. For reference, Monday's estimated demand was 48,000 megawatts.
He said that the state’s grid will need about two to three times as much conservation from people across the state at homes and businesses as has been the case recently during flex alerts.
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“It’s gonna take all of us to really lean in here today and tomorrow in particular,” Mainzer said.
| VIDEO BELOW | Cal ISO official talks about need to conserve more power to avoid blackouts
Mainzer said that efforts by consumers to pre-cool their homes and take other steps to reduce power during peak late afternoon and evening hours have made a difference so far.
Electricity loads have come in about 1,000 megawatts below expectations, about 2% below what was forecast, he said.
“Your efforts to flex electricity demand away from those critical hours of 4 to 9 p.m. have been working well and we really appreciate it,” he said.
California, thank you for continuing to flex your #energy use and help keep the #power grid stable. Your efforts to reduce #energy use are making a difference! pic.twitter.com/y5H9NsFFAs
| VIDEO BELOW | Outdoor workers brace for brutal heat, employers reminded of obligation to protect workers
But he cautioned of a looming 2,000- to 4,000-megawatt deficit where much more conservation will be needed.
The state hopes to meet the increased forecast with other options like generators and power from other states.
Officials said the best thing that people can do to help alleviate strain on the grid is to pre-cool their homes during the daytime.
Once the state’s flex alert takes effect from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., people should:
On Wednesday, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an executive order intended to increase the state's energy supply temporarily.
So far this week, there have not been any unplanned outages reported in relation to excessive use of energy. In 2020, multiple factors, including high temperatures and an Oregon wildfire, led to several days of rolling blackouts for millions of Californians.
Officials have issued flex alerts for seven straight days during the current heat wave.
| VIDEO BELOW | What is a 'heat dome?'
The forecast high for Monday in the Valley is 112 degrees, well above the average for this time of year of 92 degrees. Tuesday has the possibility of bringing even hotter temperatures.
“This is an extraordinary event,” Mainzer said.
Watch Below | How hot was Sept. 5 in Northern California?
The Department of Water Resources diverted four generators in the cities of Roseville and Yuba City to help the state power grid, which on Monday reached a level of strain where rolling blackouts could have happened.
This is the first time these generators were activated since they were installed in 2021. The generators provided the state with 120 megawatts of electricity, which according to DWP, is enough electricity to power up 120,000 homes.
SMUD said in a release Monday afternoon that it will "exhaust every avenue before rotating outages are called."
It said that if such outages are needed no customers would be without power for more than one hour at a time.
Cooling centers across Northern California are set to open this week to allow some residents to get a break from the forecasted week of triple-digit heat.
| Read More | Here are the cooling centers opening Thursday amid forecast triple digits in NorCal
With the dangerous conditions Monday and Tuesday, it’s more important than ever to be aware of the warning signs that heat is taking a toll on your health. Learn more about the types of heat-related illnesses here >> https://t.co/uPphVQZlmb pic.twitter.com/Q2j8PMvatP
Need a place to cool off today? @Cal_OES put out a handy tool that includes a map of cooling centers state-wide. Don't wilt in the heat - get to a cool place to stay safe and healthy! https://t.co/3MxprzevBf pic.twitter.com/tSVgbnReZY
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