Overview
Honualoa Substation is an operational electrical substation in Hawaii, United States, owned and operated by Hawaiian Electric Company. It handles voltages of 69 kV and 12.47 kV, serving the local grid.
Honualoa Substation is an electrical substation located in Hawaii, United States, and is owned and operated by Hawaiian Electric Company. The facility is currently operational and plays a role in the state's electrical infrastructure, which is isolated from the mainland US grid. As a substation, it steps down transmission-level voltages for local distribution, with specified voltage levels of 69 kV and 12.47 kV. The substation operates under the regulatory framework of the United States, where the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) oversees interstate electricity transmission, and the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) enforces reliability standards. In Hawaii, the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission regulates electric utilities, and Hawaiian Electric Company is the primary utility serving the islands. The facility's voltage levels indicate it serves both sub-transmission and distribution functions, typical for a substation in a regional grid. Honualoa Substation is significant for providing reliable electricity to the surrounding community on the Big Island. Its location near the coast may require resilience measures against tropical storms and volcanic activity, which are relevant environmental factors for electrical infrastructure in Hawaii. The substation supports the integration of renewable energy sources, such as geothermal and solar, which are increasingly important in Hawaii's energy mix.
Environmental context
The substation is located in a tropical climate on the Big Island of Hawaii, an area prone to volcanic activity, earthquakes, and tropical storms. These environmental factors pose risks to electrical infrastructure, requiring robust design and maintenance. The facility's coastal proximity may also necessitate corrosion protection. The local grid is isolated, making reliability critical for community resilience.
Frequently asked questions
Honualoa Substation is located in Hawaii, United States, at coordinates 19.616375, -155.969442.
Honualoa Substation is owned and operated by Hawaiian Electric Company, the primary electric utility serving the Hawaiian Islands.
Honualoa Substation handles voltages of 69 kV and 12.47 kV, indicating it serves both sub-transmission and distribution functions.
Substations in Hawaii operate under FERC and NERC reliability standards, with state oversight by the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission. Hawaiian Electric Company must comply with these regulations to ensure grid stability.
Honualoa Substation is part of the isolated Hawaii grid, stepping down transmission voltages for local distribution. It supports integration of renewable energy sources like geothermal and solar, which are key to Hawaii's clean energy goals.