Californians are urged to conserve electricity to avoid potential power disruptions as the intense heat strains the state’s electric grid.
In a statewide notice issued by the California Independent System Operator, officials put the state on Flex Alert from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. to avoid rolling blackouts.
Flex Alert is a call to consumers to conserve energy when the demand could potentially cause a disruption. Generally, flex alerts are issued during heat waves. The ISO suggests turned the thermostat to 78 degrees or higher, as well as avoiding using major appliances.
According to ISO officials, conservation is most important in the evening as electricity demands are high at this time during extreme heat waves.
“We will be relying on Californians to be partners in protecting grid reliability in this heat event and throughout the summer, when needed,” the ISO said in their Wednesday notice.
