Calif. could face rolling blackouts-Record energy demands forecast for Mon

[Kadie]

Record energy demands forecast for Monday
State could face rolling blackouts in the afternoon during peak periods

Erin Allday and Simone Sebastian, Chronicle Staff Writers

Sunday, July 23, 2006


(07-23) 19:32 PDT -- Californians did an impressive job conserving energy today, but power regulators are forecasting record energy demands as everyone heads back to work on Monday, making conservation "absolutely critical."

"While we got through today just fine, we're very concerned about Monday. Everybody goes back to work and cranks on the computer, the coffee machine, the fax machine," said Gregg Fishman, a spokesman for the California Independent System Operator, a nonprofit corporation that manages the state's power grid.

"A lot of the office buildings that closed over the weekend have heated up, so the air conditioning load on a hot Monday is often incredible," Fishman said.

The state almost certainly will hit a Stage 1 power emergency Monday and could face rolling blackouts in the afternoon, when usage levels typically peak, Fishman said.

Conditions Monday are expected to be ideal -- heat, humidity and little to no wind -- for creating ground-level ozone, which contributes to smog. So the Bay Area Air Quality District has declared the season's ninth Spare the Air day, when commuters are urged to carpool or take mass transit. Buses, trains and ferries will not be free, however, as they were on the six Spare the Air days that fell during the work week, because funds have fun out.

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http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/07/23/MNG90K4AMR40.DTL

[kestrel91316]

1. Los Angeles should do ok. It is only supposed to be 100.

Compared to Saturday's high of 119, it's nothing.

[Cleita]

2. So I wonder what Governor "I fix eberyting" is going to do

that Grey Davis couldn't?

[necso]

3. Information pages from the Cal ISO

(California Independent (Electrical) System Operators):

Today's Outlook (frequent autoload)

Alert, Warning and Emergency Notices

We've been roasting. We're cooling off some, especially nearer the coast, but inland is expected to remain hot and humid (relative to our standards) for the forecast period -- if not as bad as the last few days.

A reminder: Fluorescents lights use less electricity and generate less heat than incandescent lights. Compact fluorescent "bulbs" can replace most other bulbs in many applications.

Also, using appliances and other electrical devices typically generates heat, so using alternatives (eg, cold meals, takeout food; read a book, talk) or postponing use to cooler days and periods will save on cooling costs (or at least help keep down inside temperatures), in addition to helping reduce peak demand on the worst days.

Small lifestyles changes can be helpful in reducing both peak demand and individual consumption.