Campus Electrical Service Information Bulletins

Bulletin No. 2            July 2006

The tremendous heat wave over the last several days has prompted this advisory from PG&E.  Because excess power from the Campus Cogen Plant is transmitted to the PG&E grid, any reduction in Campus electrical use will help the state overcome this crisis.

Advisory from PG&E

As you are aware, an unrelenting heat wave has swept over California in the last several days, resulting in record-breaking temperatures and demand for power across the state.  There is no question that this is an unprecedented and severe heat storm.  Prolonged record heat and record energy usage continue to strain PG&E's system.

The California Independent System Operator has declared a Stage 2 Emergency today, 7/24/06, from 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. due to forecasted operating reserves projected to fall below 5 percent.  During a Stage 2 Emergency, consumers are being asked to voluntarily curtail nonessential electric load to avoid more severe conditions.

Due to the extreme heat, we are experiencing record energy usage across the system—an average of 15 percent more than the same period in previous years. We saw a significant decrease in usage this weekend because of the very conscientious efforts of our customers to conserve.

Reducing Electric Load
Inform employees and building occupants to:

• Turn off all lighting not necessary for safety or productivity.  Use natural lighting and supplement it with task lighting if at all possible. Lighting in offices equals about 20% of all electricity use.
• Turn off office equipment, computers, printers and other electrical equipment that is not required for your productivity today. Office equipment equals about 25% of all electricity use in office buildings.
• Consider using a central copier, and turn off infrequently used copiers for the remainder of the day.
• Turn off any non essential plug load that is not in use...coffee makers, etc.  
• Where possible, set thermostats to 82 degrees
   

If you are not already participating in a PG&E Demand Response program now is the time to do so!  You can save money when reducing electric load during peak periods.   

We encourage you to also take this message home.  Tips include drinking plenty of water, wearing lightweight, light-colored clothing and avoiding strenuous activity.  Encourage family and friends to take energy conservation measures, such as waiting to do laundry, using dishwashers and setting the thermostat at 82 degrees or higher.

The latest information can be found at www.pge.com, http://www.caiso.com and www.flexyourpower.org.

Thank you in advance for your voluntary efforts to reduce electric load. 

Account Services Department
Pacific Gas & Electric Company

Bulletin No. 1            July 2000

As many of you are aware, California is experiencing problems with the availability of electricity. The PG&E system is experiencing both a higher demand for electricity as well as a curtailment of the electrical supply.  Over the last several evenings PG&E has warned the California public that rolling black-outs may be necessary.  The Main Stanford Campus does not receive electricity from PG&E.

The electricity supply for the main campus area buildings is provided by Cardinal Cogen Generators, and distributed throughout the campus via high voltage underground cables that are maintained by Facilities Operations Utilities Department. The specific boundaries for electrical service are shown in the Campus Distribution Area Map.  The California ISO System Conditions Web site contains other valuable information regarding the Electrical supply and distribution on Campus.

Over the last several weeks PG&E has asked if there is any way to reduce campus electrical use.  They are aware that our power comes from Cardinal Cogen Generators, but excess power generated by Cardinal Cogen Generators flows into the PG&E Grid System.
Consequently any reduction on campus would allow more electrical power to flow into the PG&E Grid and so help the overall California electrical system.
 
Our recommendation is for the Campus community to continue to be aware of the electrical situation and conserve energy by ensuring, were possible, that individual office lights, computers, equipment, etc. are turned off when not in use, and specifically when leaving the Campus.