Overview
Hungry Horse Substation is a 230 kV electrical substation operated by the Bonneville Power Administration in Montana, United States. It plays a key role in regional grid stability and power transmission.
Hungry Horse Substation is a high-voltage electrical substation located in Montana, United States, operated by the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA). The facility operates at 230 kV, a standard transmission voltage level, and is part of BPA's extensive network serving the Pacific Northwest. As a substation, it facilitates the transformation and distribution of electricity from generation sources to load centers. The substation operates under the regulatory framework of the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). BPA, a federal power marketing administration, ensures compliance with mandatory reliability standards. The 230 kV voltage level indicates a medium-to-high capacity transmission asset, critical for connecting regional hydropower and other generation to the grid. Environmentally, the substation is situated in a rural area near Hungry Horse Reservoir, supporting the integration of renewable energy sources like hydropower. Its operation contributes to grid resilience and the efficient delivery of electricity across the western United States. The facility's age and specific equipment details are not publicly available, but its role in BPA's system underscores its importance to regional energy infrastructure.
Environmental context
The substation is located in a rural, mountainous region of Montana, near the Hungry Horse Reservoir. The area experiences cold winters and moderate summers, which can affect equipment performance and maintenance schedules. The facility's 230 kV voltage level suggests it serves as a critical node for transmitting power from hydroelectric and other renewable sources, supporting grid stability and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
Frequently asked questions
Hungry Horse Substation is located in Montana, United States, near the Hungry Horse Reservoir. Its coordinates are approximately 48.3423 N, -114.0196 W.
Hungry Horse Substation operates at 230 kV (230,000 volts), which is a standard high-voltage transmission level used for long-distance power delivery.
The substation is operated by the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), a federal agency that markets and transmits electricity from federal hydroelectric dams in the Pacific Northwest.
As part of the US electrical grid, Hungry Horse Substation must comply with NERC reliability standards and FERC regulations. BPA ensures adherence to these mandatory requirements for grid stability.
A 230 kV substation steps down transmission voltage for distribution or interconnects different parts of the grid. It is critical for balancing load and integrating generation sources like hydropower.