| Add RSS Feed

23 April 2004 - California should make it through the summer without having to endure rolling blackouts, state energy officials said Thursday.

The California Independent System Operator, which controls the power grid for most of the state, predicts that there will be adequate supplies of electricity to meet the state's needs on even the hottest days this year.

But officials also called on Californians to cut their consumption of electricity by taking simple steps such as turning off unneeded lights, saying that conservation will give the state necessary breathing room when power supplies get tight on hot days.

"The good news is that the state of the California energy situation is vastly improved over what it was during the energy crisis (of 2000-2001)," said Cal-ISO Chairman Michael Kahn at an Earth Day press conference. "The additional good news is that we see signs ourselves of the economy improving, and with the economy improving, there is increased demand. We need you to be able to pitch in and help conserve as you have in the past. If we have very hot weather, we're going to need help. The good energy habits that Californians developed during the energy crisis, we hope they continue."

Terry Winter, Cal-ISO's president and CEO, said that in August, the state will have surplus energy of just 1600 MW, while demand is expected to peak at about 44,000 MW. If just three large power plants go offline unexpectedly, Cal-ISO dispatchers could be plunged into a tense struggle to avert blackouts, he said.

If each of California's 35m residents were to turn off just one 100 W light bulb, demand would be reduced by 3500 MW, tripling the state's expected surplus of power on hot days, Winter said.

Mariann Long of Anaheim Public Utilities talked about some of the steps her agency has taken to promote conservation, such as planting 25 000 shade trees at residential homes. When these trees reach maturity, they are expected to help save enough power to supply 270 homes, she said.

| Add RSS Feed

---

More Industry News Articles >

Search Archives >

Power Engineering Article Categories:

Business		Projects/Contracts
Industry News		Deregulation
Environmental		Русский язык
Power Generation Young Professionals		Honeywell Automation & Control Solutions
HoneyWell Press Releases		HoneyWell Product Information
Power Engineering International Current Issue Table of Contents
Power Engineering Current Issue Table of Contents
Potencia Current Issue Table of Contents
Nuclear Power International Current Issue Table of Contents
Middle East Energy Current Issue Table of Contents

---

Search Products Buyer's Guide >

Search Industry Jobs >

Magazine & E-Newsletter Subscriptions >