California grid faces pressure as heatwave drives up power demand

01The Story新闻事实

A prolonged heatwave is expected to increase electricity demand in Southern California as residents use more air conditioning. Cal-ISO says it is not forecasting supply shortfalls, but has restricted maintenance activities and may issue a voluntary Flex Alert if conditions worsen, while utilities are urging customers to conserve power and prepare for possible outages.持续热浪预计将推高南加州的用电需求，因为居民会更多使用空调。加州独立系统运营商表示目前预计不会出现供电短缺，但已限制维护活动；如果情况恶化，可能发布自愿性的节电警报，公用事业公司则敦促用户节约用电并为可能停电做好准备。

Cal-ISO issued a “Restricted Maintenance Operations” notice from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday.加州独立系统运营商发布了“限制维护运行”通知，时间为周一和周二上午10点至晚上10点。
Cal-ISO said it was not forecasting supply shortfalls at the time of the report, but could issue a Flex Alert if necessary.加州独立系统运营商表示，截至报道时预计不会出现供电短缺，但必要时可能发布节电警报。
Southern California Edison warned that extreme heat could increase electricity use, strain the system and raise the likelihood of temporary outages.南加州爱迪生电力公司警告说，极端高温可能推高用电量、增加电力系统压力，并提高临时停电的可能性。
Mark Toney of The Utility Reform Network said California could invest more in clean-energy generation, storage and geothermal power.公用事业改革网络执行主任Mark Toney表示，加州可以进一步投资清洁能源发电、储能和地热能。
Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed AB 1813 on Sept. 30; the bill would have created a customer renewable-energy subscription program.州长Gavin Newsom于9月30日否决了AB 1813；该法案原拟建立面向消费者的可再生能源订阅计划。

The heatwave is testing California’s ability to balance rising peak demand with grid reliability, storage needs and electricity affordability.这场热浪正在考验加州如何在电力需求上升、电网可靠性、储能需求与电价可负担性之间取得平衡。

024 Dimensions维度分析

Consequence影响推演

Peak-demand pressure高峰需求压力

Higher air-conditioning use is expected to put additional pressure on Southern California’s electricity system. Utilities are asking customers to reduce consumption during periods of high demand.空调使用增加预计将进一步加大南加州电力系统的压力。公用事业公司要求用户在用电需求较高的时段减少用电。

SCE is asking residents to reduce electricity use between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m., especially by avoiding major appliances.南加州爱迪生电力公司要求居民下午4点至晚上9点减少用电，尤其应避免使用大型家用电器。
The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power recommends setting thermostats to 78 degrees or higher during the hottest parts of the day.洛杉矶水电局建议居民在一天中最炎热的时段将恒温器设定在78度或更高。

Future signal前瞻信号

Reliability safeguards电网可靠性保障

Cal-ISO has asked suppliers to avoid actions that could jeopardize generator or transmission availability. It says supply shortfalls are not currently forecast, but more severe strain could lead to higher-level emergency alerts and rolling blackouts.加州独立系统运营商要求电力供应商避免采取可能影响发电机组或输电设施可用性的行动。该机构表示目前没有预测供电短缺，但更严重的压力可能导致更高级别的紧急警报，最严重时可能实施轮流停电。

A Flex Alert is a voluntary request for residents to conserve electricity when demand may exceed available power.节电警报是在需求可能超过可用电力时，要求居民自愿节约用电的呼吁。
SCE advised customers to charge devices, review emergency plans and ensure critical equipment has backup power when possible.南加州爱迪生电力公司建议客户为设备充电、检查应急预案，并在可能的情况下为关键设备准备备用电源。

Stakeholder impact利益相关方

Clean-energy and storage options清洁能源与储能选择

The Utility Reform Network argues that more clean generation and storage could strengthen the grid. Mark Toney highlighted solar paired with batteries and said geothermal power could provide clean energy around the clock.公用事业改革网络认为，增加清洁能源发电和储能可以增强电网能力。Mark Toney特别提到太阳能与电池的结合，并表示地热能可以提供全天候的清洁能源。

Solar power can supply electricity during the day and charge batteries for use after sunset.太阳能可以在白天供电，并为电池充电，以便日落后使用。
AB 1813 would have created a customer renewable-energy subscription program to expand access to community renewable-energy projects, but Newsom vetoed it.AB 1813原本将建立消费者可再生能源订阅计划，以扩大社区可再生能源项目的参与机会，但被Newsom否决。

Contradiction矛盾之处

Affordability remains a constraint可负担性仍是限制因素

The debate is not limited to adding capacity: Toney also said California must address high electricity bills. This creates a policy challenge between strengthening supply, reducing fossil-fuel use and keeping power affordable.相关讨论不仅涉及增加电力容量：Toney还表示，加州必须解决电费过高的问题。这使政策制定面临多重挑战，包括加强供电、减少化石燃料使用以及保持电力可负担性。

Toney said affordability remains a major problem for California electricity customers.Toney表示，可负担性仍是加州电力用户面临的主要问题。
He called for greater storage capacity and reduced reliance on fossil fuels while also addressing high bills.他呼吁增加储能容量、减少对化石燃料的依赖，同时解决电费过高的问题。

03Timeline时间线

2026-09-30 Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed AB 1813, which would have established a customer renewable-energy subscription program.州长Gavin Newsom否决了AB 1813，该法案原拟建立消费者可再生能源订阅计划。

Key takeaway核心结论

California’s grid is expected to meet demand for now, but the heatwave is intensifying pressure to expand clean generation and storage without worsening affordability concerns.加州电网目前预计能够满足需求，但热浪正在加大扩充清洁能源发电和储能的压力，同时不能进一步恶化电力可负担性问题。

04What to Watch后续关注

Whether Cal-ISO issues a Flex Alert as demand and supply conditions develop.随着需求和供电状况变化，加州独立系统运营商是否发布节电警报。
Whether extreme heat leads to temporary outages or higher-level emergency alerts.极端高温是否导致临时停电或更高级别的紧急警报。
How California addresses proposals for more solar, storage and geothermal capacity.加州将如何处理扩大太阳能、储能和地热能容量的相关建议。
Whether state officials respond to concerns about grid capacity and electricity affordability.州政府官员是否回应有关电网容量和电力可负担性的担忧。

05Uncertainties不确定因素

The article does not provide a quantified forecast for peak electricity demand or available supply.报道没有提供用电峰值需求或可用电力的量化预测。
Cal-ISO said supply shortfalls were not forecast at the time, but conditions could change as the heatwave continues.加州独立系统运营商表示当时预计不会出现供电短缺，但随着热浪持续，情况可能发生变化。
The governor’s office had not immediately responded to questions about increasing grid capacity.州长办公室尚未立即回应有关增加电网容量的问题。

06Sources信息来源

Power giants issue urgent warning to Californians as scorching heatwave hits - New York PostPower giants issue urgent warning to Californians as scorching heatwave hits - New York Post New York Post · 2026-10-05

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