Overview
Charco Substation is an operational electrical substation in Texas, United States, owned and operated by South Texas Electric Cooperative. It operates at 69 kV, serving the regional power grid.
Charco Substation is an operational electrical substation located in Texas, United States. Owned and operated by South Texas Electric Cooperative, it plays a role in the regional transmission and distribution network. The substation operates at a voltage of 69 kV, which is typical for sub-transmission level facilities that connect local distribution systems to higher voltage transmission lines. As part of the U.S. electrical infrastructure, Charco Substation operates under the regulatory framework of the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) reliability standards and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) oversight for transmission-level assets. The facility's voltage level of 69 kV places it in the medium-voltage range, commonly used for industrial and rural distribution. The South Texas Electric Cooperative is a generation and transmission cooperative serving member cooperatives in south Texas. The substation's location in rural Texas supports the electrical needs of the surrounding agricultural and residential communities. Its operational status ensures continued grid stability and power delivery in the region. The facility contributes to the reliability of the local power system, which is critical for economic activities and daily life in the area.
Environmental context
Charco Substation is situated in a rural area of Texas, characterized by agricultural land and scattered residential development. The 69 kV voltage level indicates a sub-transmission facility that connects to local distribution networks. The substation's environmental impact is primarily related to land use and electromagnetic fields, which are managed through standard siting practices. The surrounding region experiences a subtropical climate with hot summers and mild winters, influencing infrastructure maintenance and vegetation management.
Frequently asked questions
Charco Substation is located in Texas, United States, near coordinates 28.753572, -97.616470. It serves the regional power grid in south Texas.
Charco Substation operates at a voltage of 69 kV, which is a common sub-transmission voltage level used for distributing power from higher voltage transmission lines to local distribution networks.
Charco Substation is owned and operated by South Texas Electric Cooperative, a generation and transmission cooperative that provides electricity to member cooperatives in south Texas.
In the United States, substations like Charco Substation must comply with NERC reliability standards for grid stability and FERC regulations for transmission-level assets. These standards cover equipment maintenance, cybersecurity, and operational protocols.
A 69 kV substation typically serves as a sub-transmission facility, stepping down voltage from higher transmission lines (e.g., 138 kV or 230 kV) for distribution to industrial, commercial, and residential customers. It also provides switching and protection functions to maintain grid reliability.