CAISO Calls Statewide FlexAlert
The California Independent System Operator (CAISO) has called a Statewide FlexAlert for today, seeking statewide energy conservation from 3 p.m. until 10 p.m., as the National Weather Service predicts high heat across the State.
CAISO, CPUC, CEC Issue Preliminary Report on Blackouts
The Assembly Utilities and Energy Committee will be holding an oversight hearing with the California Independent System Operator (CAISO), California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), and California Energy Commission (CEC) aimed at reviewing a report on the rolling blackouts triggered in August. The Preliminary Root Cause Analysis 121 page report issued by the three energy agencies today offered the following three key findings.
State Water Resources Control Board Unanimously Approves Extension of OTC Facilities
Members of the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) voted unanimously extended the deadlines for once through-cooled (OTC) compliance for four natural gas power plants in an effort to maintain grid reliability in the Los Angeles area, a vote that took on extra importance after two nights of rotating blackouts last month.
Energy Consumption Up During Week 12 of Shelter-in-Place Order
Energy usage continued to be up as compared to last year during week 12 of the shelter-in-place order. A second week of triple digit temperatures led to weekday power demand pushing up nearly 5% compared to the same time last year, according to the California ISO. Natural gas power also spiked during week in order to handle the increase in power demand. Natural gas was up nearly 5,000 mega-watt hours (MWh). In a three-day window, natural gas peaked around 7 p.m. between 16,000 and 19,000 MWh. Meanwhile, all other sources of power were down. Renewables were down for the same [...]
Energy Consumption is Up During Week 11 of Shelter-in-Place Order
Triple-digit temperatures led to a spike in energy usage during week 11 of the shelter-in-place order. While load reductions have generally been down over the last several weeks, this week saw a shift in power usage. According to figures from the California Independent System Operator (CAISO), the weekday power demand was up nearly 20% compared to the same time last year. Natural gas power also spiked in order to handle the increase in power demand. Natural gas was up more than 5,000 megawatt-hours (MWh). In a three-day window, natural gas peaked around 8 p.m. between 15,000 and 18,000 MWh. Imports [...]
Energy Consumption is Down Slightly During Week 10 of Shelter-in-Place Order
The California Independent System Operator (CAISO) noted that they experienced load reductions of roughly 2% to 3% during the 10th week of the shelter-in-place order as compared to last year; but will that hold with a heat spell coming in week 11?
COVID- Energy Consumption is Up During the 8th Week of Shelter-in-Place
Unseasonably warm weather led to a spike in energy usage during the eighth week of California’s stay-at-home order.
California’s Power Usage Continues to Sag During COVID-19 Pandemic
According to a recent presentation by the California Independent System Operator (CAISO), weekday morning peak power demand is down 7% versus 6.5% for the evening peak. Overall, weekday demand is down 4.5% versus little change for the weekends. This pattern appears to be staying consistent throughout the pandemic.
CAISO Reports Power Usage Is Down During Pandemic
The California Independent System Operator (CAISO) released a presentation that provides an assessment of the impact of the COVID-19 stay-at-home orders to date. Since the first week of the order, weekday average load reductions are down nearly 4.5% and up to 7% during peak hours. The demand is mainly due to Californians being at home, and office buildings and industrial sites staying closed during the pandemic, as we have reported the last two weeks.
CAISO Extends Meeting Restrictions & Cancels Symposium
CAISO has extended its in-person meeting restrictions through June 15, or until further notice. The restrictions include in-person meetings and tours of the facilities and off-site venues. All non-essential travel for CAISO employees is also suspended. CAISO said they will continue to host meetings using teleconference or webinars when possible.
After Four Weeks of COVID-19, Overall Demand is Down, Residential Energy Use is Up, and NG is Keeping the Lights On
California is 30 days into the COVID-19 stay-at-home orders. Office buildings, hotels, retail spaces, and industrial sites are idle, creating a significant impact on California's economy. It is also impacting California's energy demand.
COVID-19 Residential Energy Consumption is Up During 3rd Week of Shelter in Place
According to the CPUC, the spikes in weekday energy use will taper off steadily the longer the shelter-in-place edict stays in effect. The CPUC also stated that there have been no threats to reliability for either gas or electricity.
Energy Consumption Continues to Drop During Week 2 of COVID-19 Shutdown
California is one of the U.S. states whose electricity demand has been hit the hardest due to stay-at-home orders.
Energy Consumption Down as COVID-19 Shutdown Continues
The California ISO (CAISO) reported on March 25 that energy demand has fallen as a result of Governor Newsom's Executive Orders (12 Orders to date) requiring Californians to stay at home to slow the spread of COVID-19.