Overview
Pattonsville Substation is an operational electrical substation in Virginia, United States, operated by Powell Valley Electric Cooperative. It operates at 69 kV, serving the local grid.
Pattonsville Substation is an electrical substation located in Virginia, United States, and is operated by Powell Valley Electric Cooperative. The facility is operational and plays a role in the regional power distribution network, with a voltage level of 69 kV, which is typical for sub-transmission and distribution substations in rural cooperative systems. As a substation owned by a member-owned electric cooperative, Pattonsville Substation operates under the regulatory framework of the U.S. electric utility sector, which includes compliance with NERC reliability standards for grid stability. The 69 kV voltage level indicates it likely serves as a distribution substation stepping down power from higher transmission voltages for local use, a common configuration in rural areas served by cooperatives. The substation's location in Virginia places it within the PJM Interconnection regional transmission organization, which coordinates the movement of wholesale electricity. Its role in the cooperative's network supports reliable electricity delivery to member-consumers in the surrounding area, contributing to community energy needs and grid resilience.
Environmental context
The substation is situated in a rural area of Virginia, where the local environment includes mixed agricultural and forested landscapes. Electrical infrastructure like Pattonsville Substation is designed to integrate with the natural surroundings while maintaining grid reliability. The 69 kV voltage level is typical for distribution networks that serve dispersed populations, minimizing visual impact through compact design and vegetation management practices.
Frequently asked questions
Pattonsville Substation is located in Virginia, United States, near coordinates 36.693352, -82.870975.
Pattonsville Substation operates at 69 kV, a common voltage for sub-transmission and distribution substations.
Pattonsville Substation is operated by Powell Valley Electric Cooperative, a member-owned electric utility serving rural areas.
Substations in the United States must comply with NERC reliability standards for grid stability and are subject to FERC regulation for transmission-level assets. Pattonsville, as a 69 kV facility, likely falls under distribution-level oversight by state utility commissions.
A 69 kV substation typically steps down higher transmission voltages (e.g., 138 kV or 230 kV) to distribution voltages for local delivery, serving as a critical node in the power network to ensure reliable electricity supply to communities.