Overview
Davis Substation is an operational electrical substation owned by Pacific Gas and Electric Company in California, United States, operating at 115 kV.
Davis Substation is an operational electrical substation located in California, United States. It is owned and operated by Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), a major investor-owned utility serving northern and central California. The facility operates at 115 kV, a standard sub-transmission voltage level that connects local distribution networks to higher-voltage transmission lines. As a 115 kV substation, Davis Substation plays a role in stepping down power from transmission lines for distribution to residential, commercial, and industrial customers in the Davis area. PG&E's infrastructure is regulated by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and must comply with North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) reliability standards, ensuring grid stability and security. The substation likely includes switchgear, transformers, and protective relays typical of modern substations. Environmental context includes the substation's location in an urbanized area of Yolo County, near agricultural lands and the University of California, Davis. Substations of this type have localized electromagnetic fields and require vegetation management to prevent outages. PG&E's operations are subject to state environmental regulations, including those related to hazardous materials like insulating oil in transformers.
Environmental context
Davis Substation is situated in an urbanized area of California's Central Valley, a region with hot, dry summers and a history of wildfire risk. Substations like this require careful vegetation management to reduce fire hazards and maintain clearance from power lines. The facility's insulating oil and other materials are managed under state and federal environmental regulations to prevent soil and water contamination.
Frequently asked questions
Davis Substation is located in California, United States, near the city of Davis in Yolo County. Its coordinates are approximately 38.5452° N, -121.7341° W.
Davis Substation is owned and operated by Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), a major utility serving northern and central California.
Davis Substation operates at 115 kV, which is a sub-transmission voltage level commonly used to distribute power from high-voltage transmission lines to local distribution networks.
Substations in the United States must comply with North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) reliability standards and are regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for interstate aspects, as well as state-level public utility commissions like the CPUC in California.
A 115 kV substation steps down voltage from higher transmission levels (e.g., 230 kV or 500 kV) for distribution to local areas. It also provides switching and protection functions to ensure reliable power delivery to homes and businesses.