Overview
South Holston Dam Substation is an operational electrical substation in Tennessee, United States, owned and operated by the Tennessee Valley Authority. It operates at 69 kV, supporting regional grid stability.
South Holston Dam Substation is an operational electrical substation located in Tennessee, United States. Owned and operated by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), it is part of the TVA's extensive transmission network serving the Tennessee Valley region. The substation operates at a voltage of 69 kV, classifying it as a sub-transmission or distribution-level facility within the broader electrical infrastructure. The substation is situated near the South Holston Dam, a hydroelectric facility on the South Fork Holston River. As a TVA asset, it operates under the regulatory framework of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and adheres to North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) reliability standards. The 69 kV voltage level indicates its role in distributing power from the dam to local load centers, typical for smaller substations in rural or suburban settings. Environmentally, the substation supports the integration of hydroelectric power from South Holston Dam into the grid, contributing to renewable energy utilization. Its location in a mountainous region of northeastern Tennessee underscores its importance in maintaining reliable electricity supply to communities and industries in the area. The facility plays a key role in the TVA's mission of providing affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy.
Environmental context
The substation is located in a mountainous region of northeastern Tennessee, near the South Holston Dam and reservoir. The area features mixed deciduous forests and is part of the Appalachian region. The substation's role in transmitting hydroelectric power supports local renewable energy use, reducing reliance on fossil fuels. Its rural setting minimizes direct environmental impact, though transmission lines may affect local wildlife corridors.
Frequently asked questions
South Holston Dam Substation is located in Tennessee, United States, near the South Holston Dam on the South Fork Holston River.
South Holston Dam Substation operates at 69 kV (69,000 volts), which is typical for sub-transmission or distribution-level substations.
The substation is owned and operated by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), a federally owned electric utility corporation.
TVA substations must comply with NERC reliability standards for grid stability and FERC regulations for transmission-level assets, as well as TVA's own operational guidelines.
The substation steps down power from the South Holston Dam hydroelectric plant and distributes it to local communities, supporting regional electricity supply.