The California ISO has issued another Flex Alert for today, September 3, from 4 – 9 pm. It is anticipated that Flex Alerts will be issued throughout the long weekend so please follow these recommendations through at least Monday, September 5.
The California Independent System Operator (ISO) has issued another statewide Flex Alert, calling for voluntary electricity conservation for today, Saturday, Sept. 3 from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., due to increasing high heat, tightening energy supplies and more potential strain on the grid.
During a Flex Alert, Californians are strongly urged to lower electricity use by setting thermostats to 78 or higher, health permitting, avoid using major appliances, and turning off all unnecessary lights. Today’s Flex Alert is the fourth consecutive call for conservation, as much of the state remains gripped in an extensive heat wave.
With increased heat in the forecast for California and the West, the power grid operator
is again expecting high electricity demand throughout Labor Day weekend and into next
week, primarily from air conditioning use. With resources potentially very tight for
today, conservation is crucial in helping to balance supply and demand.
The Flex Alert is scheduled between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m., when the grid is most stressed
from high demand and less solar energy on the system.
Premiminary data show that consumer and business conservation during those hours
has been helpful in keeping the grid stable so far this week, so the ISO is again urging
Californians to moderate their electricity use as much as possible.
To minimize discomfort and help with grid stability, consumers are also encouraged to
pre-cool their homes and use major appliances before 4 p.m., when solar energy is
typically abundant.
Reducing energy use during a Flex Alert can help stabilize the power grid during tight
supply conditions and prevent further emergency measures, including rotating power
outages. For information on Flex Alerts, and to find more electricity conservation tips, visit
FlexAlert.org.
Flex Alert Conservation Actions
Before 4 p.m.:
- Pre-cool home by setting the thermostat to as low as 72 degrees
- Adjust blinds and drapes to cover windows
- Use major appliances, including:
- Washer and Dryer
- Dishwasher
- Oven and stove for pre-cooking and preparing meals
From 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.:
- Set the thermostat to 78 degrees or higher, if health permits
- Avoid using major appliances and charging electric vehicles
Turn off all unnecessary lights
About Flex Alerts
A Flex Alert is issued by the ISO when the electricity grid is under stress because of
generation or transmission outages, or from persistent hot temperatures.
View the fact sheet on Emergency Notifications on the California ISO News webpage.
