Overview
138th Street Substation is an operational electrical substation in the United States, owned and operated by Delmarva Power. It handles voltages of 138 kV and 12.47 kV, serving the regional grid.
138th Street Substation is an operational electrical substation located in the United States, owned and operated by Delmarva Power. The facility plays a key role in the regional electrical infrastructure, stepping down transmission-level voltage for local distribution. The substation operates with voltage levels of 138,000 volts (138 kV) on the transmission side and 12,470 volts (12.47 kV) on the distribution side, typical for a medium-scale substation connecting high-voltage transmission lines to lower-voltage distribution networks. As part of the Delmarva Power system, it falls under the regulatory oversight of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for wholesale electricity and must comply with North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) reliability standards to ensure grid stability. Located near the Atlantic coast, the substation supports the electrical needs of the Delmarva Peninsula region, contributing to the reliability of power supply for residential, commercial, and industrial customers. Its operational status and voltage configuration indicate its importance in maintaining grid stability and local energy distribution.
Environmental context
The substation is situated in a coastal region of the United States, where environmental considerations include potential exposure to severe weather events such as hurricanes and nor'easters. These conditions can impact grid reliability, making robust infrastructure and maintenance critical. The facility's voltage level and role in the distribution network underscore its importance in ensuring consistent power supply to the surrounding area.
Frequently asked questions
138th Street Substation is located in the United States, with coordinates approximately 38.443051 N, -75.055214 W, in the Delmarva Peninsula region.
The substation operates at 138,000 volts (138 kV) on the transmission side and 12,470 volts (12.47 kV) on the distribution side, typical for stepping down high-voltage power for local use.
The substation is owned and operated by Delmarva Power, a utility company serving the Delmarva Peninsula.
In the United States, substations must comply with NERC reliability standards for grid stability and FERC regulations for wholesale electricity. Additionally, ISO/IEC 61850 standards may be used for substation automation.
Substations are critical nodes in the electrical grid that transform voltage levels, switch circuits, and help control power flow. They ensure electricity is safely transmitted from power plants to distribution networks and ultimately to consumers.