Just before 9 p.m., a grid alert that had been previously issued by the Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO), was ended.

"We have returned to normal market conditions. Thank you for your conservation efforts tonight," AESO stated.

Earlier in the evening, AESO triggered a Grid Alert, 'due to unexpected generation loss.'

"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," AESO states on its website.

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.

Tips to conserve energy 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)

AESO added that grid alerts can happen for a variety of reasons, including, extremely cold or hot weather, which drives increased use of heating or air conditioning systems, time of day and wind conditions, which impact the availability of solar and wind-generated energy, as well as unplanned generation facility outages.

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