Overview
Center Union Substation is an operational electrical substation in Pennsylvania, United States, owned and operated by Valley Rural Electric Cooperative. It operates at a voltage of 46 kV, serving the local grid.
Center Union Substation is an operational electrical substation located in Pennsylvania, United States. Owned and operated by Valley Rural Electric Cooperative, this facility plays a key role in the local electrical infrastructure, stepping down transmission-level power for distribution to rural customers. The substation operates at a voltage of 46 kV, which is typical for sub-transmission or primary distribution in cooperative networks. As a substation in the United States, Center Union Substation operates under the regulatory framework of the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) reliability standards and is subject to oversight by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for interstate transmission aspects. The facility likely employs standard substation automation protocols such as IEC 61850 for monitoring and control, ensuring reliable power delivery. Valley Rural Electric Cooperative, as a member-owned utility, adheres to cooperative governance and reliability requirements set by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission. The substation's location in rural Pennsylvania underscores its importance in providing stable electricity to agricultural and residential communities. Its operational status and voltage level indicate a medium-scale facility that supports grid stability in the region. The environmental context includes typical considerations for substations, such as electromagnetic field management and vegetation clearance for safety and reliability.
Environmental context
The substation is located in a rural area of Pennsylvania, where the surrounding landscape includes agricultural fields and woodlands. The facility's operation involves standard environmental management practices for electrical infrastructure, including oil containment for transformers and noise mitigation. The voltage level of 46 kV is moderate, and the substation's role in distributing power to rural customers means it supports local economic activities while minimizing land use impact.
Frequently asked questions
Center Union Substation is located in Pennsylvania, United States, at coordinates 40.539765, -77.960589. It is operated by Valley Rural Electric Cooperative.
Center Union Substation operates at a voltage of 46 kV, which is typical for sub-transmission or primary distribution in rural electric cooperative networks.
Center Union Substation is owned and operated by Valley Rural Electric Cooperative, a member-owned utility serving rural areas in Pennsylvania.
Substations in the United States must comply with NERC reliability standards for grid stability and FERC regulations for interstate transmission. Additionally, IEC 61850 standards are commonly used for substation automation.
Substations step down high-voltage transmission power to lower voltages for distribution to homes and businesses. They also provide switching, protection, and monitoring functions to ensure reliable electricity supply.