Overview
Courtenay Wind Substation is an operational electrical substation in the United States, owned by Northern States Power Company. It operates at 115 kV, supporting wind energy integration into the regional grid.
Courtenay Wind Substation is an operational electrical substation located in the United States, owned and operated by Northern States Power Company. The facility operates at a voltage level of 115 kV, which is typical for medium-voltage transmission substations that connect wind farms to the broader grid. As a substation associated with wind energy, it plays a key role in collecting and transmitting power from renewable generation sources. The substation's 115 kV voltage level places it within the sub-transmission or distribution voltage range, commonly used for regional power distribution and interconnection of distributed generation. In the United States, such facilities are subject to NERC reliability standards and FERC regulations for grid stability and interconnection requirements. The equipment likely includes circuit breakers, transformers, and switchgear compliant with IEEE and ANSI standards. Environmentally, the substation supports the integration of renewable energy, reducing reliance on fossil fuels. Its location in a rural area of North Dakota minimizes land-use conflicts, while the surrounding agricultural landscape benefits from the clean energy infrastructure. The facility contributes to grid resilience and helps meet state renewable portfolio standards.
Environmental context
The substation is located in a rural agricultural area of North Dakota, where wind energy development has expanded significantly. The 115 kV voltage level indicates it serves as a collection point for wind turbines, facilitating clean energy transmission. The facility's operation supports reduced greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional power plants, though substations themselves have minimal direct environmental impact beyond land use and electromagnetic fields.
Frequently asked questions
Courtenay Wind Substation is located in the United States, specifically in North Dakota near the town of Courtenay. Its coordinates are approximately 47.187191 N, -98.592970 W.
Courtenay Wind Substation operates at a voltage of 115 kV (115,000 volts), which is a common voltage for sub-transmission and distribution substations connecting wind farms to the grid.
The substation is owned by Northern States Power Company, which also operates the facility. Northern States Power is a subsidiary of Xcel Energy, a major utility in the region.
In the United States, substations are regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for wholesale electricity markets and by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) for reliability standards. Facilities must comply with NERC's Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) standards and IEEE/ANSI equipment standards.
The substation collects electricity from nearby wind turbines and steps up the voltage for transmission on the regional grid. This integration of wind power helps reduce carbon emissions and supports state renewable portfolio standards.