California is one step closer to rotating blackouts after the state’s power grid operator issued its highest-level emergency alert Tuesday evening, calling for “maximum conservation efforts” by consumers.
The California Independent System Operator (CAISO) issued an Energy Emergency Alert Level 3 at 5:17 p.m. on Sept. 6, indicating that the grid is unable to handle the current energy demand.
“[CAISO] is anticipating high loads and temperatures across [its grid],” the announcement read. “CAISO is forecasting an energy deficiency, with all available resources in use or forecasted to be in use, for the specified time period.”
If the situation continues to worsen beyond Level 3 and all energy reserves are depleted, power outages rotating in different areas will be scheduled—usually lasting between 15 minutes and 2.5 hours as seen in the past. Planned outages are to protect the grid from failing and causing longer blackouts in or even outside of the state….