California officials warn that rolling blackouts are possible, call for at least twice as much power conservation – KCRA Sacramento

Californians are being asked to step up their conservation efforts in a dramatic way to stave off the possibility of rolling blackouts over the next two days.

“We have now entered the most intense phase of this heat wave,” Elliot Mainzer, the head of the California Independent System Operator, or Cal ISO, said on Monday.

He said that the state’s grid will need about two to three times as much conservation from people across the state at homes and businesses as has been the case recently during flex alerts.

The forecast power use for Tuesday is above the highest demand than has ever been experienced in California, he said.

Cal ISO issued an Energy Emergency Alert Watch for Tuesday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. With an EEA Watch, energy deficiencies are expected and the grid manager will seek to get additional energy from other sources to help avoid the risk of a rolling blackout.

“Our goal is to not see that number,” Mainzer said.

| VIDEO BELOW | Cal ISO official talks about need to conserve more power to avoid blackouts

Mainzer said that efforts by consumers to pre-cool their homes and take other steps to reduce power during peak late afternoon and evening hours have made a difference so far.

Electricity loads have come in about 1,000 megawatts below expectations, about 2% below what was forecast, he said.

“Your efforts to flex electricity demand away from those critical hours of 4 to 9 p.m. have been working well and we really appreciate it,” he said.

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But he cautioned of a looming 2,000- to 4,000-megawatt deficit 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 that people can do to help alleviate strain on the grid is to pre-cool their homes during the daytime.

Once the state’s flex alert takes effect from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., people should:

Set the thermostat at 78 degrees or higher, if health permits
Avoid using major appliances
Turn off unnecessary lights
Use fans for cooling
Unplug unused items

On Wednesday, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an executive order intended to increase the state’s energy supply temporarily.

So far this week, there have not been any unplanned outages reported in relation to excessive use of energy. In 2020, multiple factors including high temperatures and an Oregon wildfire led to several days of rolling blackouts for millions of Californians.

Officials have issued flex alerts for seven straight days during the current heat wave.

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The forecast high for Monday in the Valley is 112 degrees, well above the average for this time of year of 92 degrees. Tuesday has the possibility of bringing even hotter temperatures.

“It’s going to take all of us,” Mainzer said.

SMUD outlines plan for possible rotating outages in Sacramento

SMUD said in a release Monday afternoon that it will “exhaust every avenue before rotating outages are called.”

It said that if such outages are needed no customers would be without power for more than one hour at a time.

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