Overview
Smithersville #1&2 Substation is an operational electrical substation in Kentucky, United States, owned and operated by East Kentucky Power Cooperative. It operates at 69 kV voltage level.
Smithersville #1&2 Substation is an electrical substation located in Kentucky, United States. Owned and operated by East Kentucky Power Cooperative, the facility is part of the regional transmission and distribution network serving the area. The substation operates at a voltage level of 69 kV, which is typical for sub-transmission or distribution-level infrastructure in the United States. The substation operates under the regulatory framework of the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), which set reliability standards for the bulk power system. As a cooperative-owned asset, it is subject to the reliability obligations of the Kentucky Utilities Commission and the regional transmission organization, PJM Interconnection. The facility's 69 kV voltage level places it in the medium-voltage category, commonly used for local distribution and industrial supply. As part of the East Kentucky Power Cooperative system, this substation plays a role in delivering electricity to member cooperatives and their customers in rural and suburban areas. The facility contributes to grid stability and power quality for the surrounding community, supporting residential, commercial, and agricultural loads in the region.
Environmental context
The substation is located in a rural area of Kentucky, characterized by rolling hills and agricultural land. The 69 kV voltage level indicates a medium-voltage facility that typically has a smaller footprint and lower environmental impact compared to high-voltage transmission substations. The site's rural location reduces exposure to urban heat island effects and allows for natural vegetation buffers, which can help mitigate visual and noise impacts. The facility's operation is subject to environmental regulations under the Clean Air Act and state-level requirements for electromagnetic fields and equipment maintenance.
Frequently asked questions
Smithersville #1&2 Substation is located in Kentucky, United States, at coordinates 37.752689, -85.904276. It is owned and operated by East Kentucky Power Cooperative.
Smithersville #1&2 Substation operates at a voltage level of 69 kV, which is typical for sub-transmission and distribution substations in the United States.
Smithersville #1&2 Substation is owned and operated by East Kentucky Power Cooperative, a generation and transmission cooperative serving member cooperatives in Kentucky.
The substation must comply with NERC reliability standards and FERC regulations for the bulk power system, as well as state-level requirements from the Kentucky Public Service Commission and PJM Interconnection.
A 69 kV substation typically steps down voltage from higher transmission levels for local distribution, serving industrial, commercial, and residential customers. It is a critical node for grid reliability and power quality.