"Short" update here:
California ISO New Release (PDF):
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The loss of a major western transmission line just as California power use was approaching its peak today forced the California ISO to issue a Transmission Emergency notice for Southern California only, and to request utilities in the Southland to reduce demand on the system by dropping 900 megawatts of firm load and 800 megawatts of voluntary, interruptible customers. California ISO ordered restoration of firm load (involuntary customers) at 4:35 p.m.
The Pacific DC Intertie, (PDCI) a 500-thousand volt transmission line that runs between Southern Oregon and Southern California suddenly and unexpectedly dropped out of service just before 4:00 P.M. today. The loss of more than 2,800 megawatts of power coming into Southern California, coupled with the area's high demand required a reduction in system load to keep the grid in balance. Loads in southern California were running about 2,000 megawatts higher than anticipated due to temperatures that were up to 14 degrees higher than forecast.
No details are available yet about what caused the PDCI to trip off line.
The California ISO is charged with managing the flow of electricity along the long-distance,
high voltage power lines that make up the bulk of California's transmission system. The not-for-profit
public-benefit corporation assumed the responsibility in March, 1998, when California opened its energy
markets to competition and the state's investor-owned utilities turned their private transmission power
lines over to the California ISO to manage. The mission of the California ISO is to safeguard the reliable
delivery of electricity, facilitate markets and ensure equal access to a 12,500 circuit mile "electron
highway."
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-Bill