Overview
Big Oak Substation is an operational electrical substation in the United States, owned and operated by American Electric Power. It operates at a voltage of 69 kV, serving the regional grid.
Big Oak Substation is an operational electrical substation located in the United States, owned and operated by American Electric Power. The facility operates at a voltage of 69 kV, which classifies it as a medium-voltage substation within the electrical infrastructure network. As a substation owned by American Electric Power, a major utility in the US, Big Oak Substation operates under the regulatory framework of the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). These bodies enforce reliability standards for transmission and distribution assets, ensuring grid stability and security. The substation plays a role in the local electrical grid, stepping down voltage for distribution to residential, commercial, and industrial customers. Its location in Texas places it within the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) region, which manages the majority of the state's power grid.
Environmental context
The substation is located in a rural area of Texas, characterized by agricultural land and scattered communities. The local environment is subject to hot summers and occasional severe weather, including thunderstorms and hurricanes, which can impact grid reliability. The substation's design and maintenance must account for these conditions to ensure continuous operation.
Frequently asked questions
Big Oak Substation is located in the United States, specifically in the state of Texas, near coordinates 28.558739, -97.641889.
Big Oak Substation is owned and operated by American Electric Power (AEP), a major utility company in the United States.
Big Oak Substation operates at a voltage of 69 kV, which is a common medium-voltage level for distribution substations.
As part of the US electrical grid, Big Oak Substation must comply with NERC reliability standards and FERC regulations. It also falls under the jurisdiction of the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT).
Substations like Big Oak are critical for stepping down high-voltage electricity from transmission lines to lower voltages suitable for distribution to homes and businesses, ensuring safe and reliable power delivery.