Authorities are urging Californians to use less electricity as a season-long heatwave threatens the state’s power grid.
On Monday, the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) declared an “Energy Emergency Alert” at level 2, one level below the stage at which blackouts would have been required.
California is currently facing severe energy shortages amid elevated grid demand as people move to cool their homes during the heatwave, and residents are being asked to conserve energy to prevent power outages.
“So far the Flex Alerts have worked, as state residents have saved 600 to 700 megawatts in recent days,” the San Francisco Chronicle reported. “State regulators have asked consumers to avoid running appliances, set thermostats to 78 degrees or higher and turn off all unnecessary lights during those peak hours.”
The state reportedly used about 49,000 megawatts on Monday and is expected to draw down more than 51,000 megawatts of power on Tuesday afternoon, as solar power begins to become unavailable during that time.
To offset some of the stress being placed on its electrical grid, CAISO’s board announced recently that it would extend operations of the Dynegy Oakland power plant until Dec. 31, 2023. The Oakland-based plant, which burns jet fuel, generated 4,066 megawatt-hours of energy by burning only jet fuel in June.
“New grid facilities and the state’s progress on resource adequacy have lessened the need for RMR contracts in recent years, however, they remain a valuable backstop mechanism to provide energy when it’s needed to meet heightened summer demand,” the press release read.
CAISO will also keep three other petroleum and natural gas power plants open to offset some of the stress being placed on its electrical grid.
This comes weeks after California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an executive order that will allow the state to increase its electricity supply to prepare for the heatwave.
“This is just the latest reminder of how real the climate crisis is, and how it is impacting the everyday lives of Californians,” Newsom said. “While we are taking steps to get us through the immediate crisis, this reinforces the need for urgent action to end our dependence on fossil fuels that are destroying our climate and making these heat waves hotter and more common.”
