California has issued a Flex Alert for Saturday September 5 2020 thru Monday September 7 2020.
California needs consumers to conserve electricity during the Heatwave hitting the Southland.
Labor Day 2020 weekend temperatures are forecast 10-20 degrees above normal for California.
The power grid operator is predicting an increase in electricity demand, primarily from air conditioning use.
Overnight temperatures statewide are projected to be at least 10 degrees higher than normal, which doesn’t allow infrastructure to cool down.
High heat is also predicted throughout the West for the weekend, which can limit the ISO’s ability to import energy to serve demand.
California May Have Rolling Outages
San Diego Gas & Electric may have rolling outages in South Orange Cities of Dana Point/Laguna Niguel/Laguna Hills.
Southern California Edison may have rolling outages in Laguna Beach.
Consumers Can Help and Conserve Energy
However, consumers can actively help by shifting energy use to morning and nighttime hours and conserving as much energy as possible during the late afternoon and evening hours.
Consumer conservation can help lower demand and avoid further actions including outages, and lessen the duration of an outage.
Energy Conservation Urged During 3:00pm-9:00pm
Consumers are urged to lower energy use during the most critical time of the day 3:00pm to 9:00pm, when temperatures remain high and solar production is falling due to the sun setting.
Extended periods of heat also can cause generator equipment failures that can lead to more serious unplanned losses of power.
The ISO recognizes that reducing energy use during the hot time of the day is a hardship, especially for those working from home or with children schooling at home.
However, if a large number of consumers do their part in small ways, conservation can make a difference.
10:00am-3:00pm: Prepare For A Flex Alert
“Pre-cool” your home or lower air conditioning thermostats to 72 degrees
Charge electric vehicles
Charge mobile devices and laptops
Run dishwashers, washing machines and other major appliances
Set pool pumps to run in the early morning or late at night
3:00pm-10:00pm: Flex Alert Energy Conservation Requested
Set air conditioning thermostats to 78 degrees, if health permits
Defer use of major appliances
Turn off unnecessary lights
Unplug unused electrical devices
Close blinds and drapes
Use fans when possible
Limit time the refrigerator door is open.
San Diego Gas & Electric Outage Tips
Prepare A Outage Kit
Outage Kit Should Include
Battery-powered radio or television
Flashlights
Batteries
A phone that does not require electricity
Non-electric alarm clock
Bottled water and nonperishable food
Manual can opener
First aid kit
Manufacturer’s instructions on how to manually open power-operated doors (e.g., garage doors)
Computer Tips
Protest Your Computer From Power Surges
Protect your computer from power surges with proper electrical connections.
Have a battery backup for your computer for use during outages.
If you work out of your home, take steps to secure back-up power, lighting, and safety options during an outage.
A Flex Alert is issued by the California Independent System Operator (ISO), a nonprofit, public benefit corporation that operates the high voltage grid in California and in parts of six western states.
The ISO does not own transmission lines or power plants, but does tell power plants when to generate electricity, how much to generate and where the electricity will be delivered.
The ISO is regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in Washington, D.C.
Additional Information
Southern California Heat Wave Labor Day Weekend 2020
Sign Up For Flex Alerts at Cal ISO
San Diego Gas & Electric Rotating Outages Community List is Online
San Diego Gas and Electric Outage Map is Online
Southern California Edison Outage Information Page is Online
