Overview
Kokernut Substation is an operational electrical substation in Texas, United States, owned and operated by Guadalupe Valley Electric Cooperative. It operates at 69 kV, serving the local grid.
Kokernut Substation is an electrical substation located in Texas, United States, owned and operated by Guadalupe Valley Electric Cooperative. The facility is operational and plays a role in the regional power distribution network. The substation operates at a voltage of 69 kV, which is typical for sub-transmission or distribution-level infrastructure in the United States. As part of the Guadalupe Valley Electric Cooperative's system, it likely supports rural and suburban electricity delivery in south-central Texas. The cooperative is a member-owned utility that distributes power from generation sources to end consumers. Electrical substations like Kokernut are critical for stepping down voltage from transmission lines to distribution levels, ensuring reliable electricity supply to homes, farms, and businesses. The facility's location in Texas places it within the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) grid, which operates under state-level regulatory oversight rather than federal jurisdiction. This substation contributes to grid stability and local energy resilience.
Environmental context
The substation is located in a rural area of Texas, where the landscape is primarily agricultural with scattered communities. The 69 kV voltage level indicates it serves local distribution needs rather than high-voltage transmission. Substations in such settings typically have minimal direct environmental impact, though they require cleared land and access roads. The facility's operation supports electrification in a region prone to extreme weather events, including heatwaves and occasional winter storms, which can stress the grid.
Frequently asked questions
Kokernut Substation is located in Texas, United States, at coordinates 29.462030, -97.269238. It is operated by Guadalupe Valley Electric Cooperative.
Kokernut Substation operates at 69 kV (69,000 volts), which is a common voltage level for sub-transmission and distribution substations in the United States.
Kokernut Substation is owned and operated by Guadalupe Valley Electric Cooperative, a member-owned electric utility serving parts of south-central Texas.
Substations in Texas, like Kokernut, operate within the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) grid, which is regulated by the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT). While ERCOT is not subject to federal FERC jurisdiction for wholesale markets, reliability standards are enforced by the Texas Reliability Entity (TRE) under NERC oversight.
A 69 kV substation typically steps down voltage from higher transmission levels (e.g., 138 kV or 230 kV) to distribution voltages (e.g., 12 kV or 25 kV) for delivery to homes and businesses. It also provides switching and protection functions to maintain grid reliability.