Updated Sept. 5, 2022
The California Independent System Operator called a statewide Flex Alert for Tuesday, Sept. 6 because continuing high temperatures will increase energy demand across the Western region, primarily from air-conditioning use. CAISO warned that more Flex Alerts are likely throughout the week.
The National Weather Service predicts prolonged, record heat across the West while average temperatures are expected to be 10 to 18 degrees above normal throughout Southern California Edison’s service area.
CAISO also declared an Energy Emergency Alert 1 (EEA1) Monday morning from 5 to 9 p.m. today. That emergency designation signals to utilities and consumers that all resources are committed or forecasted to be in use and that energy deficiencies are expected. A Flex Alert urging consumers to reduce their power use in the late afternoon and evening is also in effect today and tomorrow, marking seven consecutive days the call to cut demand has been issued.
As the state monitors a host of factors, including wildfires and generator availability, grid operators will determine later today if the emergency notifications need to be elevated to an EEA2 or beyond. EEA2 would trigger the deployment of a suite of emergency tools designed to keep supply and demand for the power system balanced during extreme conditions, potentially freeing up to a few thousand megawatts of additional resources.
Additionally, CAISO has implemented Restricted Maintenance Operations through Thursday, Sept. 8, from noon-10 p.m. each day to “ensure all available generation and transmission lines are in service.”
VIDEO: How high heat can strain the state's power supply.
SCE is asking its residential and business customers to reduce their energy usage from 4-9 p.m. As more customers take these actions, conservation will go a long way toward reducing the strain on the state’s power supply.
Customers are encouraged to set thermostats at 78 degrees when at home, use their blinds and disconnect devices that are not being used. SCE customers can also access rebates, programs and other energy-saving tools at energy-saving tips. More information on this Flex Alert issued by the state is available at flexalert.org.
SCE customers can report or inquire about outages at 800-611-1911 and get the latest information using the outages app at sce.com/outages. You can also get news and updates by visiting: sce.com/staysafe, twitter.com/sce and facebook.com/sce.
The electric power company reminds customers that if they see a downed power line, stay away and call SCE at 800-611-1911 or call 911.
To prepare for the Flex Alert, customers can take these steps before 4 p.m.
- “Pre-cool” homes or lower air-conditioning thermostats.
- Charge electric vehicles.
- Charge mobile devices and laptops.
- Run dishwashers, washing machines and other major appliances.
- Set pool pumps to run in the early morning or late at night.
Here are some other ways customers can conserve energy:
- Set your thermostat to 78 degrees when you are home and to 85 degrees or “off” when you are away.
- Cook with a grill outside or microwave to keep your home cooler.
- Give your air conditioner a rest when you can and cool your home with open windows and fans.
- Shut off lights when leaving a room.
- Close your blinds to keep out the afternoon heat.
- Limit the opening and reopening of refrigerators, which are major electricity users in many homes.
- Plug home electronics into power strips and turn off power strips when equipment is not in use.
- Unplug electronic devices and chargers when they are not in use.
- Give your dryer a break and hang dry your clothes.
-
Businesses should shift power-intensive work to the morning or late-evening hours when possible.
