A Stage One Electrical Emergency is expected to be issued today, August 30, 2007, in California. A Stage Two Emergency could follow this afternoon. This is the second day in a row that the California ISO issued a "Flex Alert" requesting that customers conserve energy.
The California Independent System Operator Corporation (California ISO) is expected to access its seven percent reserve margin. In the event they must access the reserve, a Stage One Emergency will be declared. Experts are forecasting the peak demand power for today to be at 49,500 megawatts. The record peak demand ins 50.270 megawatts.
A Stage Two Emergency is declared when the energy reserves fall below five percent. Large commercial customers that have previously signed up to voluntarily restrict their power usage will be asked to do so at this level. In the event that the operating reserve is expected to drop below and and a half percent, Stage 3 is initiated. Stage 3 is what is commonly referred to during "rolling blackouts" that involve involuntary curtailments of power to customers.
There are two factors that are contributing to the concerns of energy reserves. The first being a regional heat wave, and the second is a low hydroelectricity level throughout the state, due to the dry winter.
Conservation Tips!
- Set your thermostat to 78-80 degrees when possible, and turn it off when the home is unoccupied.
- Turn off all unnecessary lighting, and avoid using major appliances during peak usage hours 4 to 6 pm.
- Shut off your sprinklers and pool pump during peak hours.
Further conservation tips can be found at: www.flexyourpower.org.
Source: California ISO
Sandi - yep heard it on my way to Irvine for a meeting. We never use our AC so I gues we are doing our part, but there are vacant homes around where the AC is running. How useful is that?
Jeff
Hank-- thanks for stopping :)
Jeff-- We typically suffer through most of the Chico heat using our air only sparingly. My mom always thinks she's going to suffocate when she comes to visit, the house is so hot. However, there are days (today!) when it just seems unavoidable! It hit around 104 here today, and we have a two story with NO trees.
You're right about the vacant homes-- it really does seem like a waste, but SO nice when you're out showing houses all day in the heat!
Kimberly-- California's been dealing with this issue for the past several years, especially during the hottest summer months. It seemed like all the major grocery stores had only half of their lights on for about a year straight-- it really makes you stop and think about the big picture.