Overview
FEC West Valley Substation is an operational electrical substation in Flathead County, Montana, owned and operated by Flathead Electric Cooperative. It operates at 34.5 kV, serving the local grid.
FEC West Valley Substation is an operational electrical substation located in Flathead County, Montana, United States. Owned and operated by Flathead Electric Cooperative, the facility plays a key role in distributing electricity to the surrounding region. The substation operates at a voltage of 34.5 kV, which is typical for distribution-level infrastructure in rural cooperative networks. As a substation within the Flathead Electric Cooperative system, FEC West Valley is part of a broader network that delivers power to residential, commercial, and agricultural customers in northwestern Montana. The cooperative model emphasizes local reliability and member service. The substation's voltage level and equipment are designed to step down transmission voltages for safe distribution to end users. The substation supports grid stability in a region characterized by mountainous terrain and seasonal weather extremes. Its operational status ensures continued service to the community, contributing to the resilience of the local electrical infrastructure. Flathead Electric Cooperative's focus on maintenance and modernization helps maintain reliable power delivery.
Environmental context
The substation is located in a rural area near Flathead Valley, surrounded by forests and agricultural land. The region experiences cold winters and mild summers, which can affect equipment performance and demand patterns. The facility's design considers environmental factors such as snow load and wildlife interactions, common for substations in mountainous regions.
Frequently asked questions
FEC West Valley Substation is located in Flathead County, Montana, United States, near the coordinates 48.240028, -114.396098.
FEC West Valley Substation operates at 34.5 kV, which is a standard distribution voltage for rural electric cooperatives in the United States.
The substation is owned and operated by Flathead Electric Cooperative, a member-owned utility serving northwestern Montana.
Substations in the United States must comply with NERC reliability standards for grid stability and FERC regulations for transmission-level assets, though distribution-level facilities like this one are primarily subject to state and local utility commission rules.
Substations transform voltage levels, switch circuits, and protect the grid. They are critical nodes for distributing electricity from transmission lines to local distribution networks.