A statewide ‘flex alert’ was issued by the California Independent System Operator (ISO) on Wednesday, just as temperatures in Southern California start to rise into the triple digits.

The alert calls for Californians to conserve energy Wednesday between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m., as the heat has increased energy consumption and stressing the state’s power supply.

“With excessive heat in the forecast across much of the state and Western U.S., the grid operator is expecting high electricity demand, primarily from air conditioning use, and is calling for voluntary conservation steps to help balance supply and demand,” California ISO said in a press release. “In Southern California, temperatures are expected to be 10-18 degrees warmer than normal. Death Valley is currently forecast to peak at 126 degrees on Saturday, which would tie the highest temperature ever recorded on Earth in the month of September.”

Before 4 p.m., Californians with cooling systems are advised to “pre-cool” their homes to 72 degrees, use their major appliances in advance and charge electric cars if needed.

Between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m., the peak hours of typical energy consumption, residents are advised to turn off lights, not use major appliances and set their thermostats to 78 degrees.

“A Flex Alert is issued by the ISO when the electricity grid is under stress… from persistent hot temperatures,” California ISO said, as temperatures topping 100 degrees are expected in Los Angeles County through next Monday.

California ISO also warned that additional ‘flex alerts’ may occur through Labor Day, with temperatures in the L.A. County valleys expected to reach up to 110 degrees, and a record-tying 126-degree projection in Death Valley this coming Saturday.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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