Overview
Fort Sam Substation is an operational electrical substation in San Antonio, Texas, owned and operated by CPS Energy. It operates at 138 kV, serving the local grid.
Fort Sam Substation is an electrical substation located in San Antonio, Texas, United States. Owned and operated by CPS Energy, the facility plays a key role in the regional power distribution network. With a voltage level of 138 kV, it is classified as a high-voltage substation, typical for urban infrastructure supporting residential, commercial, and industrial loads. The substation operates under the regulatory framework of the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), ensuring compliance with reliability standards for transmission-level assets. CPS Energy, the municipal utility, manages this facility as part of its broader grid system, which integrates generation, transmission, and distribution assets to serve the San Antonio area. As part of the Texas Interconnection, Fort Sam Substation contributes to grid stability and energy delivery in a region with growing electricity demand. Its urban location underscores its importance in maintaining reliable power supply to critical facilities, including nearby military installations and residential communities. The substation's operational status reflects ongoing investment in grid infrastructure.
Environmental context
Located in an urban area of San Antonio, the substation's environmental context is shaped by its role in supporting local energy needs. High-voltage substations like this one are typically designed with minimal direct environmental footprint, though they are subject to regulations on electromagnetic fields and noise. The surrounding area includes mixed residential and commercial zones, with proximity to Fort Sam Houston military base. CPS Energy's operations align with state and federal environmental guidelines for electrical infrastructure.
Frequently asked questions
Fort Sam Substation is located in San Antonio, Texas, United States, at coordinates 29.455380, -98.437946.
Fort Sam Substation is owned and operated by CPS Energy, the municipal electric and gas utility serving San Antonio and Bexar County.
Fort Sam Substation operates at 138 kV (138,000 volts), which is a common high-voltage level for subtransmission and distribution substations in the United States.
As part of the US electrical grid, Fort Sam Substation must comply with NERC reliability standards and FERC regulations for transmission-level assets, ensuring grid stability and security.
Substations like Fort Sam step down high-voltage electricity from transmission lines to lower voltages for distribution to homes and businesses, and they also provide switching and protection functions to maintain grid reliability.