Overview
Granite Falls Substation is an operational electrical substation in the United States, owned by the Western Area Power Administration. It operates at 230 kV and 115 kV voltage levels.
Granite Falls Substation is an operational electrical substation located in the United States, owned and operated by the Western Area Power Administration (WAPA). The facility serves as a key node in the regional transmission grid, handling voltage levels of 230 kV and 115 kV, which are typical for high-voltage bulk power transmission and distribution. 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 grid stability. As part of WAPA's network, it supports the transmission of electricity generated from federal hydroelectric projects across the central and western United States. This facility plays a critical role in maintaining grid reliability for the surrounding region, including rural and urban areas. Its strategic location in Minnesota contributes to the interconnection of renewable energy sources and traditional generation, supporting the overall resilience of the electrical infrastructure in the area.
Environmental context
The substation is located in a rural area of Minnesota, where the surrounding landscape includes agricultural land and small communities. The voltage levels (230 kV and 115 kV) indicate its role in both long-distance transmission and local distribution. Typical substations in this region may have been upgraded to meet modern reliability standards. The facility's operation is subject to environmental regulations regarding electromagnetic fields and oil containment for transformers.
Frequently asked questions
Granite Falls Substation is located in the United States, near Granite Falls, Minnesota, at coordinates 44.827706, -95.553261.
Granite Falls Substation operates at 230 kV and 115 kV, which are standard high-voltage levels for transmission and sub-transmission in the United States.
The substation is owned and operated by the Western Area Power Administration (WAPA), a federal power marketing administration within the U.S. Department of Energy.
As part of the U.S. bulk power system, the substation must comply with NERC reliability standards and FERC regulations, ensuring grid stability and security.
Granite Falls Substation serves as a transmission node, interconnecting high-voltage lines to distribute electricity from federal hydroelectric projects to local utilities and consumers.