Overview
Sweetwater Wind 3 Substation is an operational electrical substation in Texas, United States, owned by Leeward Renewable Energy. It operates at 138 kV and 34.5 kV, supporting wind energy transmission.
Sweetwater Wind 3 Substation is an operational electrical substation located in Texas, United States, owned and operated by Leeward Renewable Energy. The facility plays a key role in collecting and transmitting power from wind farms in the region, with voltage levels of 138 kV and 34.5 kV, indicating its function as a medium-to-high voltage substation for renewable energy integration. 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 and market rules for the U.S. bulk power system. In Texas, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) manages the grid, and this substation likely connects to the ERCOT network. The dual voltage levels suggest it steps up power from wind turbines (34.5 kV) to transmission voltage (138 kV) for long-distance delivery. As part of the Sweetwater Wind complex, this substation is critical for delivering renewable energy to the grid, supporting Texas's position as a leading wind energy producer. Its location in a rural, wind-rich area underscores its role in clean energy infrastructure, contributing to grid stability and reducing carbon emissions. The facility's operational status ensures continued service to the regional power system.
Environmental context
The substation is situated in a semi-arid region of west-central Texas, an area known for its high wind resource potential. The local environment is characterized by grasslands and agricultural land, with minimal urban development. The facility's operation supports the displacement of fossil fuel generation, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutants. Its voltage level and grid connection are designed to efficiently transmit wind power, minimizing transmission losses and supporting renewable energy targets.
Frequently asked questions
Sweetwater Wind 3 Substation is located in Texas, United States, near the town of Sweetwater in Nolan County. Its coordinates are approximately 32.34° N, -100.42° W.
The substation operates at two voltage levels: 138 kV (kilovolts) for transmission and 34.5 kV for collection from wind turbines.
The substation is owned and operated by Leeward Renewable Energy, a company that develops and operates renewable energy projects in the United States.
As part of the U.S. bulk power system, the substation must comply with NERC reliability standards and FERC regulations. In Texas, it operates within the ERCOT grid, which has its own set of operating protocols.
A substation collects electricity from multiple wind turbines at a lower voltage (e.g., 34.5 kV) and steps it up to a higher transmission voltage (e.g., 138 kV) for efficient long-distance delivery to the grid.