Stretching like a narrow finger between Galveston Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, Texas’ Bolivar Peninsula has coastal charm that comes with a price: exposure to hurricanes and tropical storms that can prey on the electric grid.

Entergy Texas — with more than 524,000 customers across 27 counties — is tackling this vulnerability head-on with a bold infrastructure upgrade making use of the latest innovations.

Enlisting the design and engineering might of global human critical infrastructure leader Black & Veatch, Entergy Texas has built two new substations and upgraded three others in a $110-million push to bolster its system on the peninsula, blending new construction with equipment upgrades.

The goal of the first-of-its-kind effort for both Entergy Texas and Black & Veatch: harden the grid, improve reliability and meet growing energy demand on the peninsula, home to roughly 2,800 residents.

Elevated substations: Built to weather the worst

The new substations are built 20 feet above ground — mimicking the elevated design of coastal homes — by using a “chain wall” made of massive precast concrete blocks resting on pilings driven 80 feet into the ground. These pilings anchor the substations against the shifting, sandy terrain and protect them from tidal surges.

Many of the 19 miles of overhead lines are on poles made from advanced composite materials, capable of withstanding winds up to 150 mph and able to flex without breaking, unlike traditional wooden poles. Six miles of distribution lines were buried underground, shielding them from storm damage.

The project also introduced thermal diffusion galvanized (TDG) hardware and stainless steel components to resist corrosion from salty air.

The fortifications embody Entergy Texas’ foresight at a time when severe weather events in the state become more frequent, amplifying the urgency for a resilient power grid that more dependably handles the region’s growing energy needs — and anything nature has in store.

To learn more about the project, click here.