Update 8:15 p.m.
The California Independent System Operator averted another night of rolling power outages on Monday night.
Much like Sunday night, California's grid operator was expecting to order rolling power outages due to supply and demand issues. However, it appears that cooling temperatures and statewide conservation efforts have prevented that order for Monday.
A flex alert remains in place through Wednesday from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. each day.
Update 7 p.m.
The California Independent System Operator (CAISO) issued a statewide Stage 2 emergency and says rolling blackouts are possible between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Residents are asked to continue to reduce energy use until 10 p.m. to prevent extended power outages.
Additionally, the agency said the FLEX alert is having an impact in reducing the overall strain on the system, as has lower-than-expected temperatures.
Go in-depth: Brandon Rittman explains what a "rolling blackout" is and why it's happening in California.
Original story:
Pacific Gas & Electric is urging users to conserve electricity as rotating blackouts will likely happen Monday. When and where those outages will happen is not known.
The blackouts coincide with a west coast heat wave, causing temperatures to be well above 100 degrees daily. California Independent System Operator (CAISO), the organization that manages the state's power grid, issued a Flex Alert for Monday from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Outages are expected to last between one and two hours. According to PG&E, the company's Emergency Operations Center is activated and working closely with the CAISO to support this event.
"Rotating outages (Stage 3 Emergencies) become necessary when the CAISO is unable to meet minimum contingency reserve requirements and load interruption is imminent or in progress," said PG&E Spokesperson Brandi Merlo in a press release. "These emergencies are declared by the CAISO. During these emergencies, the CAISO will typically order the state's utilities, including PG&E, to reduce electric load by turning off service immediately to prevent larger outages on the grid. Due to the emergency nature of these outages, utilities will not be able to give advance warning to customers."
Up to 3.3 million homes may lose power as part of the rolling outages.
Rotating blackouts are different from Public Safety Power Shutoffs, which are caused by high fire-threat conditions.
To learn more, visit the PG&E website.
After 109 wildfire deaths, six felony convictions, and two bankruptcies, will PG&E get another chance? An ABC10 Originals investigation.