FOLSOM, Calif. – Day 2 of the Flex Alert called by the California Independent System Operator (ISO) is from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, as grid operators again ask the public to conserve electricity to help balance supply and demand on the grid and avoid service disruptions due to extreme heat across much of the Southwest.
Consumers have been responding to the conservation call, reducing electricity demand during crucial evening hours to keep from overtaxing supply while addressing the need for rotating power outages.
Elliot Mainzer, the ISO’s president and chief executive officer, thanked Californians for cutting back their electricity usage Thursday evening and also expressed gratitude to Gov. Gavin Newsom for issuing an emergency proclamation to free up additional generating capacity.
While the Flex Alert is in effect on Friday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., consumers are asked to:
- Set thermostats to 78 degrees or higher, if health permits
- Avoid using major appliances
- Turn off all unnecessary lights
To be as comfortable as possible during the Flex Alert hours, consumers are also strongly encouraged to take these steps earlier in the day:
- Pre-cool your home by lowering the thermostat
- Close window coverings to keep your home or apartment cool
- If you need to use major appliances like your dishwasher, clothes washer and dryer, do so before the Flex Alert takes effect
- Pre-charge electronic devices Close window coverings to keep your home or apartment cool
- Pre-charge electric vehicles
For information on Flex Alerts, to get more electricity conservation tips, and to sign up for conservation alerts, visit the ISO's Flex Alert website. Visit the ISO's News page for more information on the heat wave's impacts on grid operations, and to learn more about alerts, warnings and emergency notices.
For updates on grid operations, follow us on Twitter at @California_ISO or @FlexAlert, or monitor system conditions in real time at ISO's Today's Outlook.
