Overview
Hill Valley Substation is an operational electrical substation in Pennsylvania, United States, owned by Penelec. It operates at 115 kV and 46 kV, serving as a key node in the regional transmission grid.
Hill Valley Substation is an operational electrical substation located in Pennsylvania, United States. Owned and operated by Penelec, a subsidiary of FirstEnergy, the facility plays a critical role in the regional power distribution network, stepping down high-voltage transmission power for local distribution. The substation operates at dual voltage levels of 115 kV and 46 kV, typical for a medium-voltage substation that interconnects transmission and distribution circuits. As part of the Pennsylvania-New Jersey-Maryland (PJM) Interconnection, it adheres to North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) reliability standards and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) regulations, ensuring grid stability and compliance with mandatory reliability requirements. Located in a rural area of central Pennsylvania, the substation supports the local community by providing reliable electricity to residential, commercial, and agricultural customers. Its strategic position within the PJM grid enhances system resilience and facilitates power flow across the region, contributing to the overall reliability of the U.S. electrical infrastructure.
Environmental context
The substation is situated in a rural area of Pennsylvania, characterized by rolling hills and agricultural land. Its operation involves electromagnetic fields and potential impacts on local wildlife, though modern substations are designed with mitigation measures such as vegetation management and oil containment systems. The site's proximity to natural habitats requires adherence to environmental regulations to minimize ecological disruption.
Frequently asked questions
Hill Valley Substation is located in Pennsylvania, United States, at coordinates 40.368802, -77.891864. It is owned and operated by Penelec, a subsidiary of FirstEnergy.
Hill Valley Substation operates at two voltage levels: 115 kV and 46 kV. These voltages are typical for a substation that connects high-voltage transmission lines to lower-voltage distribution networks.
Hill Valley Substation is owned and operated by Penelec, a utility company that is part of FirstEnergy Corp. Penelec provides electricity to customers in Pennsylvania.
As part of the U.S. electrical grid, Hill Valley Substation must comply with NERC reliability standards and FERC regulations. It also operates within the PJM Interconnection, which sets additional reliability and market rules.
Substations like Hill Valley are critical for stepping down high-voltage electricity from transmission lines to lower voltages suitable for distribution to homes and businesses. They also provide switching, protection, and monitoring functions to ensure grid stability and reliability.