Risk: Low Substation Operational

Eagle Butte Substation - 115 kV Substation in South Dakota, United States

United States

Overview

Eagle Butte Substation is an operational 115 kV substation in South Dakota, owned and operated by the Western Area Power Administration, serving the regional electrical grid.

Eagle Butte Substation is a high-voltage electrical substation located in South Dakota, United States. It is owned and operated by the Western Area Power Administration (WAPA), a federal power marketing administration. The substation operates at 115 kV, placing it in the medium-to-high voltage range typical for regional transmission and distribution systems. The facility operates under the regulatory framework of the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), which enforce reliability standards for the bulk power system. As part of WAPA's network, the substation likely integrates hydropower from federal dams into the regional grid, supporting electricity delivery across the Upper Great Plains. Environmentally, the substation is situated in a rural area of South Dakota, characterized by grasslands and agricultural land. Its role in the grid is critical for maintaining voltage stability and reliability for local communities and industries. The substation's age and equipment specifics are not detailed, but its operational status indicates ongoing contribution to the regional electrical infrastructure.

Environmental context

The Eagle Butte Substation is located in a rural area of South Dakota, surrounded by grasslands and agricultural land. The region experiences a continental climate with cold winters and warm summers, which can affect grid operations. The substation's 115 kV voltage level is typical for regional distribution, and its location away from urban centers reduces direct environmental impact on populated areas. However, the facility's role in transmitting power from distant generation sources, such as hydropower, contributes to the overall environmental footprint of the electrical grid.

Frequently asked questions

Eagle Butte Substation is located in South Dakota, United States, near the coordinates 44.989919, -101.281574. It is situated in a rural area and is part of the Western Area Power Administration's transmission network.

Eagle Butte Substation operates at 115 kV (115,000 volts), which is a common voltage level for regional transmission and distribution substations in the United States.

Eagle Butte Substation is owned and operated by the Western Area Power Administration (WAPA), a federal agency under the U.S. Department of Energy that markets and transmits hydropower from federal dams.

As part of the U.S. bulk power system, Eagle Butte Substation must comply with reliability standards set by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) and is subject to oversight by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).

A 115 kV substation like Eagle Butte serves as a node in the electrical grid, stepping down voltage from higher transmission levels for distribution to local areas, or stepping up voltage for long-distance transmission. It helps maintain grid stability and reliability.
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