Why a text alert might have helped California keep the lights on
The sun shines behind electrical power lines during a heatwave in Hawthorne, California, on September 6th, 2022. | Photo by PATRICK T. FALLON / AFP via Getty Images Officials say an emergency cell phone alert played a crucial role yesterday in helping California avoid rolling blackouts during an extreme heatwave. Residents apparently jumped into action within minutes of receiving a text that urged them to save energy.
A remarkably severe and long-lasting heatwave has put increasing pressure on the state's power grid since last week. Record-smashing temperatures in the triple digits have sent power demand for air conditioning soaring.
By Tuesday, demand hit an all-time high for the Golden State at 52,061 megawatts, according to grid manager California Independent System Operator (CAISO). CAISO issued a level 3 Energy Emergency Alert, its highest alert, at 5:17PMET that night. It signaled that...