Bloomberg News reports that the chances of a power shortage in California are growing in the coming days. The impending effects are because the state is preparing to tide over a very brutal and crucial phase of a prevailing heat wave, as per officials’ statement on Sunday.
Energy demand is anticipated to exceed the supply that is scheduled to start on Monday evening, and Tuesday’s prediction reveals that the state is reeling from a surge in demand for electricity which is at an all-time high, as per Elliot Mainzer, who is the chief executive officer and president of California Independent System Operator. Mainzer also said this will be getting quite significant and will likely increase in intensity while speaking to the reporters.
The system operator is responsible for the management and maintenance of reliability on the electric grid, which is challenging during this hot weather when the demand for energy surges and people start cranking up their air conditioners.
There are many options available to the grid managers before these power outages. These options include tapping into backup generators, using so-called demand response programs, and buying more power. In the case of demand response programs, people that use less energy are usually paid. However, keeping the lights on will also require Californians to continue to conserve as the temperatures skyrocket.
Bloomberg News reports that the majority of the 39 million people here must bear up with extreme temperatures. In Central Valley, the temperatures are anticipated to be very high at 115-degree Fahrenheit, equivalent to 46 degrees Celsius for many days at a stretch. In Los Angeles, in the meantime, the temperatures have topped 38 degrees Celsius or 100 degrees Fahrenheit, which is unusually warm for September.
Several hundred thousand California was losing power in rolling blackouts amidst hot weather in August 2020. A similar scenario was kept at bay last summer. On Friday, Newsom signed legislation to allow the last remaining plant in the state to continue running even after its closure plan of 2025 so that there is more power for the energy grid. Sunday evening saw nuclear power constituting approximately 5% of the energy supply of California.
The power companies and the energy officials have continuously asked people on Wednesday to use less power between 4 pm and 9 pm by keeping the air conditioners running at 25.5 degrees Celsius or 78 degrees Fahrenheit. A higher temperature will work well as well. Also, avoiding major appliances like dishwashers and ovens is best. The so-called flex alerts are letting the grid operator keep the lights on.
