Overview
Marsh Lake Substation is an operational electrical substation in the United States, owned and operated by Great River Energy. It handles voltages of 115 kV and 41.6 kV, supporting regional grid stability.
Marsh Lake Substation is an operational electrical substation located in the United States, owned and operated by Great River Energy, a generation and transmission cooperative serving Minnesota and Wisconsin. The facility operates at voltage levels of 115 kV and 41.6 kV, classifying it as a medium-voltage substation that plays a key role in distributing power from transmission to distribution networks. As part of the U.S. electrical infrastructure, Marsh Lake Substation operates under the regulatory framework of the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Great River Energy, as a member of the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO), must comply with reliability standards for voltage control, protection systems, and grid interconnection. The substation likely employs modern switchgear and automation technologies to ensure safe and efficient power flow. The substation serves the local community by stepping down transmission voltages for distribution to residential, commercial, and industrial customers in the surrounding rural area of western Minnesota. Its location near the Minnesota River valley supports agricultural and small-town energy needs, contributing to the reliability of the regional grid. The facility's operational status and ownership by a major cooperative underscore its importance in the area's electrical infrastructure.
Environmental context
The substation is situated in a rural area of western Minnesota, characterized by agricultural land and scattered small communities. The local environment is subject to seasonal weather extremes, including cold winters and summer storms, which can affect grid reliability. The facility's design likely includes measures to withstand these conditions, such as robust insulation and weatherproofing. The surrounding landscape supports farming and natural habitats, and the substation's operation is integrated with the regional grid to minimize environmental impact through efficient power distribution.
Frequently asked questions
Marsh Lake Substation is located in the United States, specifically in western Minnesota near the Minnesota River valley. The exact coordinates are 45.238863 N, -96.199982 W.
Marsh Lake Substation is an electrical substation that transforms voltage levels between 115 kV and 41.6 kV, facilitating the transmission and distribution of electricity from Great River Energy's generation sources to local distribution networks.
Marsh Lake Substation is owned and operated by Great River Energy, a generation and transmission cooperative that provides electricity to member cooperatives in Minnesota and Wisconsin.
As part of the U.S. electrical grid, Marsh Lake Substation must comply with NERC reliability standards and FERC regulations. Great River Energy is also a member of MISO, which enforces additional grid reliability and market rules.
Marsh Lake Substation operates at two voltage levels: 115,000 volts (115 kV) for transmission and 41,600 volts (41.6 kV) for sub-transmission or distribution.