The Alberta Electric System Operator has issued another grid alert for the province on Monday, January 15, 2024. (Photo: Lethbridge News Now)

By David Opinko

update: Grid Alert ended

Another grid alert issued in Alberta Monday

Jan 15, 2024 | 8:31 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – UPDATE (9:30 a.m.)

The Alberta Electric System Operator said the grid alert issued Monday morning has ended. They attribute this to increasing wind and solar power generation.

Albertans are still asked to conserve electricity between the peak hours of 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

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Alberta’s electrical utility systems are once again nearing capacity.

The Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO) issued a grid alert for the province on Monday, January 15, 2023. Rolling blackouts are possible.

They are asking the public to reduce their energy consumption as much as possible.

“The AESO issues a Grid Alert when the power system is under stress and we’re preparing to use emergency reserves to meet demand and maintain system reliability,” the AESO explained. “Consumers are asked to reduce their electricity use during Grid Alerts to help mitigate the possibility of undertaking more serious emergency measures to balance the system, including rotating power outages.”

The organization has issued several grid alerts since the extreme cold weather began on Thursday.

As of 8:30 a.m. on Monday, the organization states the internal load on the power grid was 11,246 megawatts.

The peak hours for electricity use are generally between 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Some ways you can reduce your energy usage include:

• Turn off unnecessary lights and electrical appliances
• Minimize the use of air conditioning/space heaters
• Delay the use of major power-consuming appliances such as washers, dryers and dishwashers until after peak hours
• Use cold water for washing clothes—most of the energy used goes to heating the water (only running full loads helps too)
• Delay charging electric vehicles and/or plugging in block heaters
• Cook with your microwave, crockpot or toaster oven instead of the stove
• Limit the use of kitchen or bathroom ventilation fans
• Use motion-detector lights in storage areas, garages, and outdoors when possible
• Work on a laptop instead of a desktop computer (laptops are more energy-efficient than desktop units)

More details on grid alerts can be found on the AESO website.

The entire province remains under an extreme cold warning from Environment Canada.

READ MORE: Extreme cold warning issued for all of Alberta

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