Californians are urged to step up their conservation efforts dramatically to avoid the possibility of power outages over the next two days. “We have now entered the most intense phase of this heat wave,” Elliot Mainzer, head of the California Independent System Operator, or Cal ISO, said Monday. He said the state’s grid will need about two to three times as much conservation from state residents in homes and businesses as it did recently during flexible alerts. Mainzer said electricity demand was forecast at over 48,000 megawatts on Monday, and the forecast for Tuesday is even higher at over 51,000. California, which was back in July 2006,” he explained. “So our goal is not to see that number.” Cal ISO issued an energy emergency alert watch for Tuesday from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. With an EEA standby, power shortages are expected and the grid operator will seek to obtain additional power from other sources to avoid the risk of a blackout | RELATED | California heat wave: A closer look at the dangerous temperatures expected for Labor Day “We’re all going to have to really lean in here today and tomorrow in particular,” Mainzer said. | CI VIDEO BELOW | Cal ISO manager talks about the need for co Conserve more energy to avoid power outages. Electricity loads are about 1,000 megawatts lower than expected, about 2% lower than expected, he said. he said. | VIDEO BELOW | Outdoor workers brace for brutal heat, employers reminded of duty to protect workers But he warned of a looming 2,000-4,000 megawatt shortfall 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 people can do to help ease the strain on the grid is to pre-cool their homes during the day. Once the state’s flexible alert takes effect from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., people should: set the thermostat to 78 degrees or higher, health permitting, avoid using major appliances, turn off unnecessary lights, using fans for cooling, unplugging unused items. On Wednesday, Governor Gavin Newsom signed an executive order. intended to temporarily increase the state’s energy supply. So far this week, no unplanned outages have been reported related to excessive power consumption. In 2020, several factors, including high temperatures and a wildfire in Oregon, resulted in several days of power outages for millions of Californians. Authorities have issued flexible alerts for seven consecutive days during the current heat wave. | VIDEO BELOW | What is a “heat dome”? The high predicted for Monday in the Valley is 112 degrees, well above the average for this time of year of 92 degrees. Tuesday has the potential to bring even warmer temperatures. “It’s an extraordinary event,” Mainzer said. He said if such outages were necessary, no customer would be without power for more than an hour at a time. Here’s how to find NorCal Cooling Centers Northern California Cooling Centers are set to open this week to allow some residents to take a break from the forecast week of triple-digit heat | Learn more | Here are the cooling centers that will open on Thursday amid the triple-digit forecast at NorCalFollow our KCRA weather team on social mediaWeather in Chief Mark Finan on Facebook and TwitterMeteorologist Tamara Berg on Facebook and TwitterMeteorologist Melanie Hunter on Facebook and TwitterMeteorologist Eileen Javora on FacebookMeteorologist Dirk Verdoorn on FacebookMeteorologist Heather Waldman on Facebook| MORE LIKE THIS | California heat wave: what you need to know about the heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heart stroke haleurWatch our forecast on TV or onlineHere’s where to find our latest video forecast. You can also watch a live stream of our latest newsletter here. The banner on our website turns red when we are live. We also stream on the Very Local app for Roku, Apple TV or Amazon Fire TV. This is where you can download our app for the latest weather alerts.
Californians are urged to step up their conservation efforts dramatically to avoid the possibility of power outages over the next two days.
“We have now entered the most intense phase of this heat wave,” Elliot Mainzer, head of the California Independent System Operator, or Cal ISO, said Monday.
He said the state’s grid will need about two to three times as much conservation from state residents in homes and businesses as it did recently during flexible alerts.
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Mainzer said electricity demand was forecast at more than 48,000 megawatts on Monday, and the forecast for Tuesday is even higher at more than 51,000.
“If this materialized, it would be above the highest demand ever seen in California, which dates back to July 2006,” he explained. “So our goal is not to see that number.”
Cal ISO has issued an energy emergency alert watch for Tuesday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. With an EEA standby, power shortages are expected and the grid operator will seek to obtain additional power from other sources to avoid the risk of a blackout.
| RELATED | California heat wave: Close-up of dangerous temperatures expected for Labor Day
“It’s going to take all of us really leaning in here today and tomorrow in particular,” Mainzer said.
| VIDEO BELOW | Cal ISO official talks about the need to conserve more energy to avoid blackouts
Mainzer said efforts by consumers to pre-cool their homes and take other steps to reduce energy during late afternoon and evening peak hours have made a difference so far. .
Electricity loads are about 1,000 megawatts lower than expected, about 2% lower than expected, he said.
“Your efforts to ease electricity demand outside of these critical hours of 4-9 p.m. have worked well and we really appreciate it,” he said.
This content is imported from Twitter. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, on their website.
| VIDEO BELOW | Outdoor workers brace for brutal heat, employers reminded of duty to protect workers
But he warned of a looming deficit of 2,000 to 4,000 megawatts 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 people can do to help ease the strain on the grid is to pre-cool their homes during the day.
Once the state’s flexible alert goes into effect from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., people should:
- Set the thermostat to 78 degrees or higher, if health permits
- Avoid using major appliances
- Turn off unnecessary lights
- Use fans for cooling
- Unplug unused items
On Wednesday, Governor Gavin Newsom signed an executive order to temporarily boost the state’s energy supply.
So far this week, no unplanned outages have been reported due to excessive power consumption. In 2020, multiple factors, including high temperatures and a wildfire in Oregon, resulted in several days of power outages for millions of Californians.
Authorities have issued flexible alerts for seven consecutive days during the current heat wave.
| VIDEO BELOW | What is a “heated dome?” »
The high predicted for Monday in the Valley is 112 degrees, well above the average for this time of year of 92 degrees. Tuesday has the potential to bring even warmer temperatures.
“It’s an extraordinary event,” Mainzer said.
This content is imported from Twitter. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, on their website.
SMUD lays out plan for possible rotating outages in Sacramento
SMUD said in a statement Monday afternoon that it will “exhaust all avenues before rotating outages are triggered.”
He said if such outages were necessary, no customer would be without power for more than an hour at a time.
Here’s how to find NorCal Cooling Centers
Cooling centers in Northern California are expected to open this week to allow some residents to take a break from the forecast week of triple-digit heat.
| Learn more | Here are the cooling centers opening Thursday amid triple-digit forecast at NorCal
This content is imported from Twitter. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, on their website.
This content is imported from Twitter. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, on their website.
Follow our KCRA weather team on social media
| MORE LIKE THIS | California heat wave: What you need to know about heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heatstroke
Watch our forecast on TV or online
Here is where to find our latest video forecast. You can also watch a livestream of our latest newscast here. The banner on our website turns red when we are live.
We also broadcast on the Very Local app for Roku, Apple TV or Amazon Fire TV.
Here’s where you can download our app for the latest weather alerts.