Overview
Maynardville Substation is an operational electrical substation in Tennessee, United States, owned and operated by Knoxville Utilities Board. It operates at 69 kV, serving the local grid.
Maynardville Substation is an operational electrical substation located in Tennessee, United States. Owned and operated by Knoxville Utilities Board, it is a key node in the regional power distribution network, stepping down transmission-level voltage for local distribution. The substation operates at a voltage of 69 kV, which is typical for sub-transmission or primary distribution in the United States. As part of the Knoxville Utilities Board infrastructure, it falls under the regulatory oversight of the Tennessee Regulatory Authority and must comply with NERC reliability standards for grid stability and FERC regulations for interstate power transmission. As a substation serving the Maynardville area, it plays a critical role in ensuring reliable electricity supply to residential, commercial, and industrial customers. Its operational status and integration with the broader TVA (Tennessee Valley Authority) grid contribute to the region's energy resilience and economic activity.
Environmental context
The substation is located in a rural area of eastern Tennessee, characterized by rolling hills and proximity to the Clinch River watershed. Electrical infrastructure like this substation must manage environmental considerations such as stormwater runoff, oil containment from transformers, and electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure. The 69 kV voltage level indicates a moderate environmental footprint, with typical mitigation measures including spill containment and vegetation management.
Frequently asked questions
Maynardville Substation is located in Tennessee, United States, near the town of Maynardville. Its coordinates are approximately 36.2583° N, -83.7766° W.
Maynardville Substation operates at a voltage of 69 kV, which is a common sub-transmission voltage level in the United States, used to distribute power from higher-voltage transmission lines to local distribution networks.
Maynardville Substation is owned and operated by Knoxville Utilities Board (KUB), a public utility serving the Knoxville, Tennessee area.
Substations in the United States must comply with NERC reliability standards for grid stability and FERC regulations for interstate transmission. Additionally, state-level regulations from the Tennessee Regulatory Authority apply, along with safety standards from OSHA and IEEE.
A 69 kV substation typically serves as a sub-transmission node, stepping down voltage from higher transmission levels (e.g., 115 kV or 161 kV) to distribution levels (e.g., 12 kV or 4 kV). It helps ensure reliable power delivery to local communities and industries.