The three main classes in ERCOT
- 69 kV: the lowest transmission class, common in rural and older parts of the system.
- 138 kV: the workhorse class that serves most cities, industry and many generators.
- 345 kV: the backbone that moves large amounts of power over long distances.
Other US regions use other steps, such as 115, 230, 500 and 765 kV.
Why voltage matters for a site
Higher voltage carries more power with lower losses. As a general rule, the bigger the project, the higher the voltage it needs to connect to. The utility decides what a given line or station can take, after a study.
How Voltane uses voltage
The Voltane engine measures the distance from a site to lines of 138 kV and above, and to 345 kV lines. Its line data is a public snapshot dated 2024-09-30, so newer lines may be missing. Distance to a line is a screening input, not proof that the line has room.
Questions people ask
What voltage does a large data center need?
It depends on the size and on the utility. Large campuses commonly connect at transmission voltage, and the largest often look for 345 kV. The utility study gives the real answer.
Is a 345 kV line near my site enough?
No. A line passing by does not mean you can tap it or that it has spare room. It is a reason to ask the utility, not an answer.
Related
More glossary
- What is time to power?
- What is powered land?
- What is a powered shell?
- What is large load interconnection?
- What is a point of interconnection?
- What is an interconnection queue?
- What is queue position?
- What is ERCOT?
Need a site, or have one?
Tell us what you need and Voltane finds, reports on and prices candidate sites in ERCOT. Or bring a site you already have for a path-to-power report (by request for now).