Overview
Montevalo Plant is a 46 kV substation in Alabama, United States, operated by Lhoist. It supports industrial electrical infrastructure for the local area.
Montevalo Plant is a substation located in Alabama, United States, operated by Lhoist. The facility operates at a voltage of 46 kV, placing it in the medium-voltage range typical for industrial distribution substations. As part of the U.S. electrical grid, it falls under the regulatory oversight of NERC reliability standards and FERC for transmission-level assets, though at this voltage it primarily serves local distribution needs. The substation's 46 kV voltage level is common for supplying large industrial facilities, such as those in the mining or manufacturing sectors. In the United States, substations of this scale are subject to state-level utility regulations and must comply with NERC's Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) standards for cybersecurity and physical security. The operator, Lhoist, is a global lime and minerals company, suggesting the substation likely supports industrial processes. Environmentally, the substation's location in Alabama places it in a region with a humid subtropical climate, where extreme weather events like thunderstorms and hurricanes can pose risks to electrical infrastructure. The facility's role in providing reliable power to industrial operations underscores its importance to local economic activity. Its operational status ensures continued service to the surrounding community and industrial users.
Environmental context
The Montevalo Plant substation is situated in Alabama, a state with a humid subtropical climate characterized by hot summers and frequent thunderstorms. This weather pattern increases the risk of lightning strikes and storm-related outages, which are key considerations for substation design and maintenance. The facility's 46 kV voltage level and industrial setting mean it must adhere to stringent grounding and surge protection standards to mitigate environmental risks.
Frequently asked questions
Montevalo Plant is a substation located in Alabama, United States, with coordinates approximately 33.09 N, 86.81 W.
Montevalo Plant operates at a voltage of 46 kV, which is typical for industrial distribution substations in the United States.
Montevalo Plant is operated by Lhoist, a global company specializing in lime and minerals production.
In the United States, substations must comply with NERC reliability standards and FERC regulations for grid stability, as well as state-level utility requirements.
A 46 kV substation typically steps down transmission voltage for distribution to industrial or large commercial customers, playing a key role in local power delivery.