Overview
Pine Woods Road Substation is an operational electrical substation in Alabama, United States, owned and operated by PowerSouth Energy Cooperative. It handles voltages of 115 kV and 46 kV, serving the regional grid.
Pine Woods Road Substation is an operational electrical substation located in Alabama, United States. Owned and operated by PowerSouth Energy Cooperative, the facility plays a key role in the regional electrical infrastructure, stepping down transmission voltages for local distribution. The substation operates at voltage levels of 115 kV and 46 kV, which are typical for sub-transmission and distribution applications. As part of the U.S. electrical grid, it falls under the reliability standards set by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) and is subject to Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) oversight for interstate power transactions. The facility likely employs modern switchgear and automation systems compliant with IEC 61850 standards for substation communication. Located in a rural area of Alabama, the substation supports the electrical needs of surrounding communities and industries. PowerSouth Energy Cooperative is a generation and transmission cooperative serving member distribution systems across Alabama and Florida, making this substation a critical node in the cooperative's network. Its operational status ensures continued reliability for local power supply.
Environmental context
The substation is situated in a rural area of Alabama, where the local environment consists of mixed forest and agricultural land. Electrical infrastructure in such settings typically requires careful management of vegetation to maintain clearance from power lines and prevent outages. The facility's voltage levels and location suggest it serves as a distribution hub, with potential impacts on local wildlife and habitats minimized through standard utility practices.
Frequently asked questions
Pine Woods Road Substation is located in Alabama, United States, at coordinates 31.331070, -86.487014.
The substation operates at two voltage levels: 115 kV and 46 kV, which are typical for sub-transmission and distribution applications.
The substation is owned and operated by PowerSouth Energy Cooperative, a generation and transmission cooperative serving member systems in Alabama and Florida.
As part of the U.S. electrical grid, the substation must comply with NERC reliability standards and FERC regulations. It likely uses IEC 61850 for substation automation.
Substations like Pine Woods Road step down high transmission voltages to lower distribution voltages, enabling safe delivery of electricity to homes and businesses.