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LADWP Assures Customers of Sufficient Power Supply During Summer Months

Posted on: Friday, 15 July 2005, 00:00 CDT

Contact information, Gale Harris' phone number should read: 213-367-1415 (sted 213-367-1434).

The corrected release reads:

LADWP ASSURES CUSTOMERS OF SUFFICIENT POWER SUPPLY DURING SUMMER MONTHS; CUSTOMERS ENCOURAGED TO USE ELECTRICITY WISELY

As temperatures rise this summer, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) encourages customers to always use energy wisely. The LADWP wants to assure its customers that there is a sufficient power supply and reserves to beat the heat this summer.

LADWP has a little over 7,000 megawatts of capacity available this summer to accommodate an expected energy load of about 5,700 megawatts, power system officials say. Meanwhile, the California Independent System Operator has released its summer assessment, which concluded that the state as a whole probably has enough electricity supplies for the typical summer.

"Even if the weather heats up more than normal, we're ready," said Henry Martinez, chief operating officer - power system. "The city's power system was designed to ensure reliability by importing power from a number of generation sources outside of Los Angeles, as well as building and operating power plants right in the Los Angeles basin. So there is a great deal of redundancy built into our system to ensure reliability."

LADWP maintains 1,100 megawatts for reserves -- or about 20 percent of its capacity.

LADWP officials said that the city's all-time record peak was 5,643 megawatts, which was set on Sept. 1, 1998.

In addition to its diversity of generation and additional capacity, the LADWP has taken a number of steps recently to insure the reliability of the power system, from upgrading its generating facilities at Hayes Generating Plant and the Valley Generating Plant to adding transformers to the Sylmar Converter Station. In addition, the LADWP anticipates seeing an increase in its renewable hydroelectric power plants along the Los Angeles Aqueduct due to increased snowpack in the Eastern Sierra.

Even with sufficient supplies and reserves, the LADWP recommends that LA residents and businesses use energy wisely.

LADWP offers these ways to keep cool and use energy efficiently:

-- Turn off lights when not in use.

-- Adjust thermostat to 78 degrees to reduce energy usage.

-- Limit the use of appliances during peak hours of the day -- use washing machines, vacuum cleaners and other heavy appliances during evening hours.

-- Keep draperies and windows closed during the day to prevent cool air from escaping and warm air from seeping through the glass.

-- Try to avoid cooking during peak hours of the day since it will add to the heat inside the home.

-- Ventilate your home at night by opening windows and doors to clear out the heat and allow cooler air to circulate.

-- Use room and ceiling fans to help circulate air within a room.

-- Weather-strip and seal around all doors and windows to keep the heat out and the cool air inside.

-- Plant shade trees on the south, east and west sides of the home, and use trellises, awnings, window films and outside shade screens to keep homes cool.

-- Stay indoors as much as possible; eat well-balanced, light meals; drink plenty of water regularly; and protect face and head by wearing a wide-brimmed hat.

The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power was established more than 100 years ago to provide a reliable and safe water and electric supply to the city's residents and businesses. For more information visit www.ladwp.com. For more information about LADWP's award-winning "Trees for a Green LA" program, call 1-800-GREEN LA (800-473-3652).

Source: Business Wire

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