Overview
Comal Substation is an operational electrical substation in New Braunfels, Texas, owned by New Braunfels Utilities. It handles voltages of 138 kV and 12.5 kV, serving the local grid.
Comal Substation is an operational electrical substation located in New Braunfels, Texas, United States. Owned by New Braunfels Utilities, the facility plays a key role in the local electrical infrastructure, stepping down transmission-level voltage for distribution to residential and commercial customers. The substation operates with two voltage levels: 138,000 volts (138 kV) for transmission and 12,500 volts (12.5 kV) for distribution. This configuration is typical for a medium-scale substation that connects high-voltage transmission lines to lower-voltage distribution networks. As part of the U.S. grid, the facility operates under North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) reliability standards and is subject to Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) oversight for transmission-level assets. Located in Comal County, the substation supports the growing energy demands of the New Braunfels area, a region experiencing population growth. Its role in voltage transformation and grid stability is critical for maintaining reliable electricity supply to the community. The facility's operational status and ownership by a municipal utility underscore its importance to local infrastructure.
Environmental context
The substation is situated in a rapidly growing suburban area in central Texas, where increasing electricity demand places pressure on grid infrastructure. The facility's voltage levels indicate it handles both transmission and distribution, with potential environmental considerations including electromagnetic fields and land use. The surrounding region's hot summers and occasional extreme weather events, such as thunderstorms and winter storms, can affect grid reliability, making substation resilience important.
Frequently asked questions
Comal Substation is located in New Braunfels, Texas, United States, at coordinates 29.706820, -98.134989.
Comal Substation operates at two voltage levels: 138,000 volts (138 kV) for transmission and 12,500 volts (12.5 kV) for distribution.
Comal Substation is owned by New Braunfels Utilities, a municipal utility serving the New Braunfels area.
Substations in the United States must comply with North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) reliability standards for grid stability and are regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for transmission-level assets.
Substations like Comal step down high-voltage transmission electricity to lower voltages for distribution to homes and businesses, ensuring safe and reliable power delivery.