Overview
Ballou Substation is an operational electrical substation in the United States, operating at 69 kV. It plays a role in regional grid stability and power distribution.
Ballou Substation is an operational electrical substation located in the United States, with coordinates 36.574191, -79.428587. The facility operates at a voltage of 69 kV, classifying it as a medium-voltage substation typical of distribution-level infrastructure in the US power grid. As a substation operating under US regulatory frameworks, Ballou Substation adheres to NERC reliability standards for grid stability and FERC regulations for transmission-level assets. The 69 kV voltage level indicates its role in sub-transmission or distribution networks, often connecting higher-voltage transmission lines to local distribution systems. Substations of this scale are critical for maintaining voltage regulation and load balancing in regional grids. The environmental context of Ballou Substation involves its location in a rural or semi-rural area of the United States, where substations support agricultural, residential, and small industrial loads. The facility's operational status ensures continued reliability for local power distribution, contributing to community energy needs and grid resilience.
Environmental context
Ballou Substation operates at 69 kV, a voltage level typical for distribution networks in rural and suburban areas. Its location in the United States places it under NERC reliability standards, which mandate vegetation management and equipment maintenance to minimize wildfire and outage risks. The substation's design and age influence its environmental footprint, with modern switchgear reducing SF6 emissions and improving efficiency.
Frequently asked questions
Ballou Substation is located in the United States at coordinates 36.574191, -79.428587. It serves the surrounding region.
Ballou Substation operates at 69 kV (69,000 volts), which is a medium voltage level commonly used for sub-transmission and distribution networks in the US.
Ballou Substation is currently operational, meaning it is actively transforming voltage and distributing electricity to the local grid.
As a US substation, Ballou Substation must comply with NERC reliability standards for grid stability and FERC regulations for transmission-level assets. It also follows IEEE and ISO/IEC 61850 standards for substation automation.
A 69 kV substation typically steps down voltage from higher transmission lines (e.g., 138 kV or 230 kV) for distribution to local networks, serving industrial, commercial, and residential customers. It also provides switching and protection functions.