State officials, anticipating high temperatures and an attendant rise in demand for electricity, issued a flex alert from 4 to 9 p.m. Wednesday. Temperatures are expected to rise in parts of Northern California, which will probably cause an increase in electricity use from air conditioning and strain the power grid, the operator said in a statement. The grid comes under most stress in the late afternoon and early evening, when demand is highest and the production of solar energy tapers off. The grid operator asked that customers on Wednesday turn off unneeded lights, not use major appliances until after 9 p.m. and set thermostats to 78 degrees or higher, if safe. Temperatures are expected to hover in the mid- to high 80s through the week.

Source: Los Angeles Times July 28, 2021 02:31 UTC