SDG&E Prepares for Summer Heat & High Energy Demand

07/19/2024

Every year heading into summer, several teams across our company are busy preparing for the summer months to help ensure the electric grid can reliably meet rising electricity demand as more people turn on their air conditioners to stay cool. This year is no different.

SDG&E always actively plans for the summer by investing in infrastructure improvements and energy conservation incentive programs to enhance the reliability and resiliency of our electric system.

From an electric supply perspective, our region is well-positioned to meet summer demand with a mix of locally generated, imported electricity and energy storage. However, being prepared for anything is key. Customers should always have a plan and be prepared for unplanned outages, especially during heatwaves. Talk with your household and loved ones about your emergency plan and have an emergency kit with important supplies, like non-perishable food, water, flashlights, extra batteries, a battery-operated radio, extra chargers and a phone that doesn't require electricity. Be sure to include considerations for your household's unique needs in your plan (e.g., important medication or devices for family members with disabilities) and don't forget your pets.

If you experience an outage, you can visit sdge.com/outages to get more information, including outage cause and estimated restoration times.

Interconnected Grid

While SDG&E continues to prepare for summer weather, it is important to understand that California's electric transmission system is interconnected statewide and with other Western states. What happens elsewhere in California or elsewhere in the West can impact electric service in San Diego and vice versa. Because of the interdependency of California's electric grid, energy providers and consumers across the state have all been asked to do their part to help when the grid is taxed. SDG&E has been working closely with state agencies, including the CPUC and the CAISO, to address potential resource shortages.

Power Saver Rewards Program

Should the grid become strained due to high demand, we have a variety of conservation incentive programs to encourage customers to reduce their energy use during the peak demand hours of 4-9 p.m.

For the third year in a row, the Power Saver Rewards Program will be in effect through October, providing residential customers with the opportunity to be compensated for cutting back on their energy use during times of grid stress. When CAISO calls a Flex Alert or Energy Emergency Alert Watch, Power Saver Rewards and other demand response programs are activated.

If participating customers can reduce their energy use below their typical use when a Power Saver Rewards day is called, when the grid is especially stressed, customers will receive a bill credit of $2.00/kWh on their next energy bill that includes the date that the event took place.

To learn more about Power Saver Rewards and enroll in the program, please visit sdge.com/PowerSaver.

State Energy Outlook is Positive

According to CAISO, forecasted energy supply conditions for this summer represent an improvement from last year, largely because more than 5,400 MW of combined solar and battery capacity have been brought online in the first 6 months of the year. Additionally, with significant precipitation this last winter, the state can expect a megawatt boost from hydro power plants.

We will continue to remain closely coordinated with CAISO to keep our customers prepared and informed.

Preparedness is a community-wide effort, so be sure to update your contact information and add your mobile phone number to your SDG&E account, via sdge.com/MyAccount so we can get in touch in case of any grid emergencies.

Tips on how to stay cool while keeping energy costs down are available at sdge.com/MyEnergy. This dedicated webpage also provides tools for managing energy use and avoiding surprise bills.

County Cool Zones

Need to beat the heat? Here's a cool idea: head on over to one of the San Diego County's Cool Zones. These sites provide relief during elevated temperatures in our region to help you keep cool and save on energy costs. Learn more at sdge.com/CoolZones.