Folsom, CA…As the state moves into the most intense heat of the summer, the California Independent System Operator (ISO) is preparing for challenging grid conditions over the next several days, and calling on Californians to lower electricity use during Flex Alerts. A Flex Alert is in effect today from 4 to 9 p.m., when consumers are urged to set thermostats to 78 degrees or higher, avoid using major appliances, and turn off all unnecessary lights.

Additional Flex Alerts will likely be called as heat will only intensify through Tuesday, with little relief from triple-digit temperatures seen over the next several days. Daytime high temperatures are forecast at 10-20 degrees above normal in much of the state through the Labor Day weekend and into next week, and record-breaking heat is projected in some parts of California.

Conditions are expected to be tight this evening, with a potential for supply shortfalls. Still, Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday in particular are shaping up to be the most difficult of this heat wave. Tuesday’s peak demand is forecast to be 50,087 megawatts (MW), just shy of the all-time record of 50,270 MW set in 2006. For more information, see the ISO’s Peak Load History report.

The peak load yesterday was 45,829 MW, and the forecast for today is about 45,000 MW.
Grid operators are closely monitoring three wildfires – Route Fire, Border 32 Fire, and the Mill Fire — with varying threats to transmission lines. State fire officials have warned that more fires could break out in the coming days, adding to the risk of lost lines or generation.

Several generators have already been forced out of service, making supplies tighter. Consumer and commercial demand response, including Flex Alerts, has been helping to ease strained conditions on the grid at critical hours so far this week, giving operators extra cushion in supplies.

Flex Alerts help alleviate stress on the grid in the late afternoon and evening when solar production rolls off the system, and demand remains high.

Consumers are also encouraged to pre-cool their homes and use major appliances before the start of Flex Alert at 4 p.m.

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
 Use major appliances, including:
o Washer and dryer
o Dishwasher
o Oven and stove for pre-cooking and preparing meals
 Charge electric vehicles
 Adjust blinds and drapes to cover windows

From 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.:
 Set 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 Grid Emergencies History report to see Flex Alerts called since 1998.

Click here to learn more about emergency notifications. Follow grid conditions in real time at ISO’s Today’s Outlook, download the free ISO Today mobile app, and follow us on Twitter at @California_ISO.
View today’s video of ISO CEO Elliot Mainzer giving a grid update here, and his participation in a press briefing this morning hosted by California Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) on the heat wave and impacts to the grid.

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California ISO | 250 Outcropping Way | Folsom, CA 95630 | www.caiso.com
The California Independent System Operator (ISO) is a nonprofit public benefit corporation dedicated, with its partners, to continuous improvement and secure operation of a reliable grid operated for the benefit of consumers. It provides comprehensive grid planning, open and nondiscriminatory access to one of the largest networks of high-voltage transmission power lines in the world, and operates a $9 billion competitive electricity market. Recognizing the importance of the global climate challenge, the ISO is at the forefront of integrating renewable power and advanced technologies that will help provide a sustainable energy future efficiently and cleanly.

The Western Energy Imbalance Market (WEIM) is a real-time wholesale energy trading market that enables participants anywhere in the West to buy and sell energy when needed. The WEIM Governing Body is the governing authority designed by regional stakeholders and has shared authority with the ISO Board of Governors to resolve rules specific to participation in the WEIM.