Overview
Lower Woodchuck Substation is an operational electrical substation in Montana, United States, operated by Ravalli Electric Cooperative. It operates at 69 kV, serving the local grid.
Lower Woodchuck Substation is an electrical substation located in Montana, United States, and is operated by Ravalli Electric Cooperative. The facility is currently operational and serves as a node in the regional electrical infrastructure, stepping down transmission voltage for local distribution. The substation operates at a voltage of 69 kV, which is typical for sub-transmission or distribution-level infrastructure in rural cooperative networks. As part of the U.S. electrical grid, it falls under the reliability standards set by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) and is subject to Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) oversight for interconnection and reliability. The facility likely employs standard switchgear and protection systems compliant with IEEE and ISO/IEC 61850 standards for substation automation. Located in the Bitterroot Valley region of Montana, the substation supports the electrical needs of the surrounding rural community. As part of Ravalli Electric Cooperative's network, it plays a key role in delivering reliable power to residential, agricultural, and small commercial customers. The cooperative model emphasizes local service and grid resilience, making this substation an important asset for the area's energy infrastructure.
Environmental context
The substation is situated in a rural, mountainous region of Montana, where electrical infrastructure must withstand seasonal weather extremes including heavy snow and wildfire risks. The 69 kV voltage level indicates a distribution or sub-transmission role, with lower environmental footprint compared to high-voltage transmission lines. The facility's location in a valley may require vegetation management to maintain clearance and reduce fire hazards.
Frequently asked questions
Lower Woodchuck Substation is located in Montana, United States, near coordinates 46.649981 N, -114.036206 W, in the Bitterroot Valley region.
Lower Woodchuck Substation operates at 69 kV, which is a common voltage for sub-transmission and distribution substations in rural cooperative networks.
The substation is operated by Ravalli Electric Cooperative, a member-owned utility serving the Ravalli County area in Montana.
As part of the U.S. electrical grid, the substation must comply with NERC reliability standards and FERC regulations. It likely uses equipment conforming to IEEE and ISO/IEC 61850 standards for substation automation.
A 69 kV substation typically steps down transmission voltage for local distribution or serves as a sub-transmission node. It is critical for delivering power to rural and suburban areas, ensuring grid stability and reliability.