A heat storm is hitting California and for five (5) consecutive days, the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) has called “Flex Alert.” The Alert is in effect today (9/4/2022) from 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM. The hope is that Californians state-wide will reduce their energy use while the Flex Alert is in effect, so that power outages may be prevented.
Hot temperatures are expected through Monday (9/6/2022), so it is likely that CAISO may continue these Alerts through early next week.
According to the CAISO, Californians from 57 counties participated in the September 3 Flex Alert and reduced their electricity consumption.
The CAISO said on Saturday evening (9/3) that additional Flex Alerts will likely be called as heat will only intensify through Tuesday (9/6), 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.
CAISO added that conditions are expected to be tight this evening (9/4), 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.
CalFIRE and CAISO 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.