Overview
Downing Avenue Substation is an operational electrical substation in Erie, Pennsylvania, owned and operated by Penelec. It operates at 115 kV, serving the regional grid.
Downing Avenue Substation is an electrical substation located in Erie, Pennsylvania, United States. Owned and operated by Penelec, a subsidiary of FirstEnergy, the facility plays a role in the regional power distribution network. The substation operates at a voltage of 115 kV, which is typical for sub-transmission and distribution-level infrastructure in the United States. The substation operates under the regulatory framework of the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), which set reliability standards for the bulk power system. As part of the Pennsylvania-New Jersey-Maryland Interconnection (PJM) market, the facility adheres to grid reliability and operational protocols. The 115 kV voltage level indicates it likely serves as a distribution substation, stepping down power from higher transmission voltages for local delivery. Environmental considerations for substations include electromagnetic field management and stormwater runoff control. The facility's location in Erie, a city on Lake Erie, may involve coordination with local environmental regulations. As part of the regional grid, the substation supports residential, commercial, and industrial loads, contributing to energy reliability in northwestern Pennsylvania.
Environmental context
The substation is located in Erie, Pennsylvania, a city on the southern shore of Lake Erie. The region experiences a humid continental climate with lake-effect snow, which can impact infrastructure reliability. Substations in such areas require robust weatherproofing and snow management. The facility's operation involves standard environmental controls for oil containment and electromagnetic field mitigation, typical for urban substations.
Frequently asked questions
Downing Avenue Substation is located in Erie, Pennsylvania, United States, at coordinates 42.136731, -80.042126.
Downing Avenue Substation operates at 115 kV, which is a common voltage for sub-transmission and distribution substations in the United States.
Downing Avenue Substation is owned and operated by Penelec, a subsidiary of FirstEnergy, serving the Erie area.
Substations in the United States must comply with NERC reliability standards and FERC regulations. For facilities in the PJM Interconnection, additional market and operational rules apply.
A 115 kV substation typically steps down transmission-level voltage for distribution to local networks, serving residential, commercial, and industrial customers.