3 Things to Know About The California Rolling Blackouts (and How to Protect Your Home!)
The California rolling blackouts were in the news all last week as the state’s electrical power grid crumpled under triple-digit temperatures. With millions out of power, here’s what you need to know about the rolling blackouts underway and how you can protect your home as a California resident.
- California’s power grid is maxed out
California residents were first notified of the need to conserve energy when temperatures crept into the triple-digits. Temperatures reached up to 111 degrees in Sacramento, and heat waves like this strain the state’s electrical power grid. Why? Well, as you can expect, triple-digit heat means an increased demand for air conditioning.
The state of California has largely moved away from using fossil fuels as a source of energy. And while this is good for the environment, it has resulted in a weaker energy grid overall. The power grid relies on solar and wind energy, which is only available during certain times. When the demand increases substantially, the entire system is at risk of being maxed out, which is what residents experienced this week.
- Power is only a concern at certain points of the day
At certain times during the day, California has plenty of power. So, for example, between 2 PM and 5 PM, California residents have nothing to worry about. However, the concern often comes later when solar energy is not only not as strong, but the demand peak occurs. People get home from work, begin to do household chores, and blast their air conditioners. This means the demand peak is generally between 5 and 9 PM.
Some tips to conserving power, which can avoid maxing out the power grid, include:
- Avoiding doing laundry or running the dishwasher until peak times have past
- Turning off unnecessary lights and appliances
- Keeping windows and doors closed to prevent loss of air conditioning
- Turning water heater down to 120 degrees or the “normal” setting
- Unplugging phone charger, power strips, etc. when not in use
- You may not know when your home will be out of power
California Independent System Operator (Cal ISO) and Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) have been working together to manage the situation. Unfortunately, this has resulted in rolling blackouts for about 250,000 customers at a time without notice.
PG&E and Cal ISO have had some conflicting messages about when and if there will be blackouts. Because the blackouts happen almost instantaneously, it can be frustrating for customers to have little to no warning about when their power will be cut.
How can I protect my home against rolling blackouts?
Are you tired of having your power cut on a whim? You’re not alone. Tempers were high among California residents last week as PG&E cut power at the recommendation of Cal ISO. Yet, there is another solution.
Del Sol Energy now offers the Enphase Encharge Storage System. This allows customers to maintain power even when the grid is down. The solar panels on your house will charge a battery that provides backup at night to protect against any power outages. And when the grid is back up, the system will save you money. It either provides convenience or puts money back in your pocket. It’s a win-win. Visit here to learn more.
Leave a Reply