Overview
El Toro Switching Station is an operational substation in Texas, United States, owned by South Texas Electric Cooperative. It operates at 69 kV, serving as a key node in the regional electrical grid.
El Toro Switching Station is a substation located in Texas, United States, owned and operated by South Texas Electric Cooperative. The facility is operational and plays a role in the regional electrical infrastructure, with a voltage level of 69 kV, which is typical for distribution-level substations in rural cooperative networks. The substation operates under the regulatory framework of the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) and the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), which oversees grid reliability in most of Texas. As a cooperative-owned asset, it is subject to standards for voltage regulation, protection coordination, and maintenance to ensure stable power delivery to member consumers. El Toro Switching Station contributes to the reliability of the local grid by enabling switching and routing of electricity. Its location in a rural area of Texas supports agricultural and residential communities, and its operation aligns with the cooperative's mission to provide affordable and reliable electricity to its members.
Environmental context
The substation is situated in a rural area of Texas, characterized by agricultural land and scattered residential developments. The local environment is typical of the Gulf Coastal Plains, with flat terrain and proximity to the Gulf of Mexico, which can influence weather patterns. The facility's operation involves standard electrical infrastructure considerations such as electromagnetic field management and vegetation clearance to maintain safety and reliability.
Frequently asked questions
El Toro Switching Station is located in Texas, United States, near coordinates 28.9608, -96.7263. It is owned and operated by South Texas Electric Cooperative.
El Toro Switching Station operates at 69 kV (69,000 volts), which is a common voltage level for distribution substations in rural cooperative networks.
El Toro Switching Station is owned by South Texas Electric Cooperative, a member-owned utility serving rural areas in Texas.
Substations in the United States, including El Toro Switching Station, must comply with NERC reliability standards for grid stability and FERC regulations for transmission-level assets. In Texas, ERCOT also sets additional requirements for grid operation.
A switching station, like El Toro Switching Station, allows for the routing and isolation of electrical circuits without transforming voltage. It enhances grid flexibility and reliability by enabling maintenance and fault management.