Knowles Substation - 69 kV Electrical Substation in New Richmond, Wisconsin

Knowles Substation is an operational electrical substation located in New Richmond, Wisconsin, United States. Owned and operated by New Richmond Utilities, the facility serves as a critical component of the local electrical infrastructure, stepping down transmission-level voltage for distribution to residential, commercial, and industrial customers in the area. The substation operates at a voltage of 69 kV, which is typical for sub-transmission or primary distribution in the United States. As a utility-owned asset, it falls under the regulatory oversight of state-level public service commissions and must comply with North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) reliability standards to ensure grid stability and safety. Located in a rural-urban interface in western Wisconsin, Knowles Substation supports the growing energy demands of New Richmond and surrounding communities. Its role in the local grid underscores the importance of reliable substation infrastructure for maintaining power quality and enabling future load growth or renewable energy integration.

The substation is situated in a mixed rural and suburban landscape in St. Croix County, Wisconsin. Its operation involves standard electrical infrastructure considerations such as electromagnetic field management, oil containment for transformers, and vegetation management to prevent outages. The facility's location away from sensitive ecological areas reduces direct environmental impact, though its role in grid reliability supports broader environmental goals by enabling efficient power distribution.