State Agency asks for energy conservation as temperatures soar across California

The first day of summer in California is expected to be a scorcher Wednesday with temperatures soaring to triple digits in many locations, and the agency that monitors the state’s electricity supply is asking for voluntary conservation between 2 and 9 p.m.

The California Independent System Operator has issued a statewide flex alert for Wednesday, asking residents and businesses to cut back on electricity use during peak hours in anticipation of increased air conditioning use.

Consumers are urged to conserve electricity during the late afternoon when air conditioners typically are at peak use, according to California ISO. Residents can help avoid power outages by turning off all unnecessary lights, using major appliances before 2 p.m. and after 9 p.m. and setting air conditioners to 78 degrees or higher.

During times of high temperatures, demand on the power grid can be strained, as air conditioner use increases. The forecast peak usage for Wednesday is expected to exceed 47,000 megawatts in California ISO’s service territory, which serves about 80 percent of the state’s electricity customers.

The last time the California ISO called a flex alert was June 2016, when Californians reduced the load by 500 megawatts, Greenlee said. The energy saved was enough to power about 500,000 homes.

“We have not had a case where we had to call for rotating power outrages because of demand overcoming supply,” Greenlee said.

Conservation tips from California ISO:

• Set thermostat at 78° or higher and turn off, if away
• Cool with fans and draw drapes
• Turn off unnecessary lights and appliances
• Use major appliances in morning or late evening

-Source The Mercury News Wednesday June 21, 2017 and http://www.flexalert.org/