California heat brings energy conservation ‘Flex Alert’

The alert by the California Independent System Operator asks residents to cut back their power use, especially during peak hours of 2 to 9 p.m. The alert was initially issued only for today, but Cal-ISO later extended it through Thursday.

Hot summer weather for the whole state has driven up energy demand, making supply tight, the Cal ISO said.

The only previous Flex Alert this year was on June 20 and consumers voluntarily reduced electricity demand by 530 megawatts, roughly enough to power 400,000 homes, Gonzales said. The vast network of high-voltage transmission power lines is supported by a competitive energy market and comprehensive grid planning.

The heat that is baking the Central Valley and the rest of the state is prompting Californians to crank up their air conditioners and the resulting power demand is stressing the electrical grid. Although high, that would fall short of the 2015 peak of 47,358 MW in September and the grid’s all-time record of 50,270 MW set in July 2006.

The ISO issues Flex Alerts in an effort to boost voluntary conservation efforts from consumers.

AccuWeather forecast that temperatures in San Jose, the third biggest city in California, would reach 93 degrees Fahrenheit (34 Celsius) on Wednesday and 89 on Thursday after hitting 94 on Tuesday. The company however has not yet issued any similar warnings for Wednesday.