Overview
Ellsworth Tap is an operational electrical substation in Kansas, United States, owned and operated by Sunflower Electric Power Corporation. It operates at 115 kV, serving as a key node in the regional transmission grid.
Ellsworth Tap is an electrical substation located in Kansas, United States, owned and operated by Sunflower Electric Power Corporation. The facility operates at a voltage of 115 kV, placing it within the high-voltage transmission category typical for regional power distribution. As a substation, it plays a critical role in stepping down transmission voltages for local distribution or interconnecting generation sources. The substation 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 bulk power systems. In Kansas, the facility is part of the Southwest Power Pool (SPP) regional transmission organization, ensuring grid stability and compliance with mandatory reliability standards. The 115 kV voltage level is common for sub-transmission and distribution substations in rural and semi-urban areas. Ellsworth Tap contributes to the electrical infrastructure serving central Kansas, supporting agricultural and residential loads. Its operational status ensures continued reliability for the local grid. The facility's location in a rural area underscores its importance in maintaining power supply to dispersed communities, aligning with Sunflower Electric Power Corporation's role as a generation and transmission cooperative.
Environmental context
The substation is situated in a rural area of central Kansas, characterized by agricultural land and low population density. The environmental context includes potential impacts from electromagnetic fields (EMF) and the need for vegetation management to prevent outages. The facility's operation is subject to environmental regulations under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) for any upgrades or expansions. Its rural location reduces exposure to urban heat island effects but requires resilience against extreme weather events such as tornadoes and ice storms, which can affect overhead transmission lines.
Frequently asked questions
Ellsworth Tap substation is located in Kansas, United States, at coordinates 38.818768, -98.798570. It is owned and operated by Sunflower Electric Power Corporation.
Ellsworth Tap substation operates at a voltage of 115 kV (115,000 volts), which is typical for sub-transmission and distribution substations in the United States.
Ellsworth Tap substation is owned and operated by Sunflower Electric Power Corporation, a generation and transmission cooperative serving central Kansas.
Ellsworth Tap substation must comply with NERC reliability standards and FERC regulations for bulk power systems. It is part of the Southwest Power Pool (SPP) regional transmission organization.
A 115 kV substation like Ellsworth Tap steps down transmission voltage for local distribution or interconnects generation sources, ensuring reliable power supply to residential, agricultural, and industrial customers.