The California Independent System Operator (CAISO), which manages the state’s electric grid, has issued a statewide Flex Alert, a call for voluntary electricity conservation, from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. today. 

With high temperatures in the forecast, the statewide power grid operator predicts an increase in electricity demand, primarily from air conditioning use. The temperatures are above normal for this time of year, creating an anticipated shortage in energy supply in the late afternoon hours through the evening. 

As a result, we’re asking you to voluntarily and safely conserve energy during that time. Simple tips are provided below.   

SDG&E is in close contact with the CAISO and will alert you via a phone call, text message or email if the situation worsens and the need for rotating outages arises. Please follow us on Twitter (@sdge) for near real-time updates. We’ll also post information to our other social channels, as well as sdge.com and our NewsCenter, and update the news media frequently.

Please stay safe and healthy.   

Sign up for statewide Flex Alert notifications and help strengthen the grid 

Did you know a Flex Alert is a voluntary call for energy conservation? They are triggered by the California ISO when the grid is especially stressed and help prevent rotating outages when everyone works together. Sign up for Flex Alert notifications so you know when to conserve energy. Find out more at flexalert.org. 

Get rewarded when you save with the Power Saver Rewards Program 

Our Power Saver Rewards Program rewards residential customers for voluntarily reducing their typical energy use during a Flex Alert. If you are eligible and can reduce your energy use during a Power Saver Rewards event between the high demand hours of 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., when the grid is especially stressed, as a reward, you may receive a bill credit. The more energy you conserve, the more you can save! Find out more at sdge.com/PowerSaver. 

Energy-saving tips 

• Set your air conditioner thermostat a few degrees higher (ideally at 78 degrees or higher) and pre-cool your home before 3 p.m. then close the shades.  If your safety permits, turn off the AC during a Flex Alert 
• Pre-cook meals early to conserve energy during a Flex Alert 
• Use large appliances, such as dishwashers, clothes washers, and dryers before 4 p.m. or after 9 p.m. 
• Keep the doors of your refrigerator and freezer closed 
• Reduce pool pump filtering 
• Switch off all unnecessary lighting (for businesses, turn off advertising signs and display/flood/decorative lighting) 
• If your safety permits, cut down on water use because water pumping/processing requires electricity use 
• Defer or reduce all non-essential use of commercial and industrial equipment, such as boilers, exhaust fans, reproduction equipment, maintenance and repair equipment, dispensing machines, intercoms, cleaning equipment, circulating pumps and electric chargers. 

For information on Flex Alerts, electricity conservation tips or to sign up for energy conservation notifications, visit the CAISO’s Flex Alert website.