Californians are being urged by officials to consume less power as the state experiences record energy demand on Tuesday, raising the potential of rolling blackouts during a hot wave.
Officials said that efforts to preserve energy must be increased or tripled in order to be effective on Tuesday as the state confronts its seventh consecutive “Flex Alert,” during which citizens will be advised to limit their use of power between the hours of 4:00 pm and 9:00 pm.
An “Energy Emergency Alert” was issued by the California Independent System Operator (ISO) on Monday at level 2, one step below the point at which blackouts would have been necessary. In an emergency, solar and wind power are unable to supply the state’s demands, therefore it turned on four natural gas facilities to aid with the demand. The heat that has descended on California over the last week was also brought by the state from the Pacific Northwest.
The state anticipates a 51,000 megawatt load on Tuesday. An emergency energy watch was established by authorities for the hours of 5 to 9 p.m. This action pushes market suppliers to give more energy, savings, or both.
The state’s citizens have so far saved 600 to 700 megawatts because to the Flex Alerts. Thermostats should be adjusted at 78 degrees or higher, and all unneeded lights should be turned off during those peak hours, according to state officials.
In accordance with Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom’s plan to phase out gas-powered cars, authorities are urging citizens to avoid charging electric vehicles and to switch off lights and appliances when not in use. Residents will also be required to acquire electric vehicles by 2035.