A triple-digit heat wave is baking Southern California and spiking electricity usage as residents crank up their air conditioners. But so far, the power grid has managed to keep up with the demand thanks to an increase in battery storage.
California ISO’s total battery capacity has increased tenfold since 2020, when an August heat wave caused rolling blackouts across the state. Officials told the L.A. Times they’re confident the grid has the resources to weather this summer’s heat without brownouts or blackouts.
The batteries soak up surplus solar energy during the day, which can be discharged to supplement energy production once the sun goes down. Cal ISO reached a record high level of battery charging this week, almost doubling last year’s peak, the L.A. Times reports.
The grid also has an increase in hydropower because of runoff from the winter storms.
But even with all these resources, officials say nothing is certain, and Flex Alerts are still a possibility during heat events or wildfires.
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