High Temperatures and Electricity Demand. An Assessment of Supply Adequacy in California, Trends and Outlook. A Report to the California Energy Commission Staff.

摘要

During the summer of 1998, the California Independent System Operator issued several calls for voluntary reductions in electricity usage. On four occasions, the Independent System Operator issued Stage II alerts which signaled that operating reserves had fallen below 5 percent. Under a Stage II alert, the Independent System Operator requests that the utility distribution companies curtail their interruptible load customers so that the Independent System Operator can maintain an operating reserve of at least 5 percent. At the time of these alerts, temperature levels and electricity demand across the western half of the country were also at record high levels. The coincidence of high temperatures and electricity demand over most of the western half of the country strained the electricity supply and transmission system to its limits. These events brought into question the overall adequacy of the electricity supply system within the region overseen by the Western Systems Coordinating Council.