Thursday 8 September 2022 08:31 PM How a TEXT MESSAGE telling 27M Californians to lower energy consumption avoided ... trends now
As California's power grid gets hit amid a relentless heatwave, it turns out that a text message sent to 27 million residents played a crucial role in helping to avoid rolling blackouts.
On Tuesday, energy demand amidst the record-shattering heatwave hit a record 52,061 megawatts, prompting grid manager California Independent System Operator (CAISO) to issue a level 3 Energy Emergency Alert, its highest, at 5:17 pm. The agency made it clear that rolling blackouts could happen.
At 5:45 pm, the Governor's Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) issued a cell phone alert - that went out to about 27 million residents in 26 counties - in English and Spanish that said:
'Conserve energy now to protect public health and safety. Extreme heat is straining the state energy grid. Power interruptions may occur unless you take action. Turn off or reduce nonessential power if health allows, now until 9pm.'
On Tuesday, energy demand amidst the record-shattering heatwave hit a record 52,061 megawatts, prompting grid manager California Independent System Operator (CAISO) to issue a level 3 Energy Emergency Alert Above: People wait their turn to use a shower station on Santa Monica beach amid an intense heat wave in Southern California
At 5:45 pm, the Governor's Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) issued a cell phone alert in English and Spanish that said: 'Conserve energy now to protect public health and safety. Extreme heat is straining the state energy grid. Power interruptions may occur unless you take action. Turn off or reduce nonessential power if health allows, now until 9pm'
Officials say that residents lowered their energy consumption within minutes of receiving the alert - as demand dropped by about 1,200 megawatts between 5:50 and 5:55.
About two hours later, CAISO declared the severe level
