LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — The heat wave across the Western U.S. is setting records and stretching the power grid.
With the excessive heat warning in Southern Nevada now extended through Thursday, NV Energy is once again asking its customers to conserve power where they can.
The hotter it is, the bigger the load on our power grid. NV Energy says the greatest risk comes Tuesday as temperatures reach near 110 degrees.
Woof! Excessive Heat Warning continues for three more days. Changes arrive this upcoming weekend. Watch and read: https://t.co/RqccvxHydR
— Justin Bruce (@just1nbruce) September 6, 2022
NV Energy is asking residential and commercial customers to conserve energy between the hours of 5 and 8 p.m. by doing the following:
- Adjusting the thermostat to 78 degrees or higher. You can pre-cool your home before 5 p.m. and use ceiling fans.
- Avoiding using any large electrical appliances such as dishwashers, washing machines and electric clothes dryers.
- Turning off pool pumps.
- Not charging electric vehicles.
- Turning off unnecessary lights and unplugging appliances not in use.
Thank you for conserving energy these past several days. Please continue to conserve between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. through Wednesday, September 7 to help reduce strain on the western U.S. energy grid. More tips to lower energy use are available at https://t.co/d0ra5V1JVu. pic.twitter.com/pwcUtLYg3t
— NV Energy (@NVEnergy) September 4, 2022
Josh Langdon, vice president of transmission for NV Energy, says every little bit helps to provide another safety layer for emergencies.
“We’ve seen wildfires in the recent past impact either generation resources or transmission lines that deliver that energy — so we’re always managing those potential outcomes and making sure we have enough resources for that — but when load is very high, the margin to be able to manage those events very successfully diminishes a little bit,” said Langdon.
The western power grid ranges from the Pacific Ocean all the way to the Rocky Mountain states, which is why what happens in California or Oregon can impact energy use in Nevada.
