Opinion
Alerts send warnings about the future of power
As a heatwave hit the southwest US this week, electricity demand surged, putting strain on the grids in Texas and California. Grid operators issued alerts urging customers to conserve electricity where possible by turning up thermostats and not running appliances in the late afternoon and evening.
The measures worked: blackouts were avoided in both states. But the alerts were a reminder of the pressures facing grids in extreme weather conditions, which will increase as their reliance on wind and solar power grows. Demand response programmes and other measures to improve the flexibility of the grid are becoming increasingly important.
