Thanks to the “remarkable” conservation efforts of California residents and businesses yesterday, more than 1,000 megawatts of forecast usage was off-loaded from the grid, the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) reported yesterday. CAISO had forecast peak electricity demand at 49,500 megawatts (MW) yesterday; instead, the system peak hit only 47,843 MW. This screenshot of CAISO’s system demand, taken at 5:30 p.m., tells the story:

The gray dotted line represents CAISO’s day-ahead demand forecast; the solid red line represents actual demand. Notice the gap that opens between the two lines beginning around noon. At its most pronounced, around 4:00 p.m., more than 1,500 MW separates forecast from actual demand (Graphic: CAISO)

Because high temperatures are forecast to continue throughout the state and region, CAISO has extended its declaration of a Flex Alert into today (August 31), and it asks consumers to conserve one more day, especially during the late afternoon peak demand period.

To view the full California ISO news release, click here.

Here are some tips:

1) Turn off all unnecessary lights

2) Postpone using major appliances until after 7 p.m.

3) Turn your air conditioning thermostat up to 78 degrees when you’re at home — health permitting — and 85 degrees when you’re away.