Transmission line vs. distribution line
A transmission line is a high-voltage power line, commonly 69 kV and above in the U.S., that moves bulk electricity from power plants to substations. A distribution line runs at lower voltage, typically below about 35 kV, and delivers power from substations to local customers. Large data centers usually need transmission service through a dedicated substation, while distribution service suits edge sites and small loads.
The full guide · Power & interconnectionTransmission Voltage and Data Centers: 69 kV to 765 kVWhich transmission voltages can serve which data centers, why line capacity depends on more than voltage, and how campuses connect to 69 kV–765 kV lines.Where Transmission line vs. distribution line comes up
- Water, gas & fiberNatural Gas Pipeline Access for Data Center Sites
- Land & site fundamentalsCan My Land Host a Data Center? A Landowner’s Guide
- Land & site fundamentalsMineral Rights and Easements: How They Affect Data Center Land
- Environmental & physical riskTornado and High-Wind Risk for Data Centers: ASCE 7-22 Tornado Loads, Risk Categories and Siting
- Environmental & physical riskWildfire Risk and Data Center Siting: Hazard Maps, Power Shutoffs and WUI Codes
- Environmental & physical riskHurricane and Storm Surge Risk for Data Center Sites: SLOSH Maps, Coastal Flood Zones and Grid Outages
- Power & interconnectionGas Turbines vs. Reciprocating Engines for Data Center On-Site Power