Overview
North Benton Substation is an operational electrical substation in the United States, owned and operated by Southwestern Electric Power Company. It handles voltages of 138 kV and 69 kV, serving grid stability in the region.
North Benton Substation is an operational electrical substation located in the United States, owned and operated by Southwestern Electric Power Company (SWEPCO), a subsidiary of American Electric Power. The facility handles dual voltage levels of 138 kV and 69 kV, indicating its role in both transmission and sub-transmission networks. Its location near latitude 32.709280 and longitude -93.739290 places it in the southwestern region of the country, likely serving industrial and residential loads in the area. As part of the U.S. electrical grid, this substation operates under the regulatory framework of the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). SWEPCO, as a utility, must comply with NERC reliability standards to ensure grid stability and security. The voltage levels suggest the substation is medium-scale, typical for regional distribution and interconnection points. The facility's operational status indicates it is actively contributing to the power network. The substation plays a critical role in local grid reliability, stepping down high-voltage transmission power for distribution to end-users. Its dual-voltage capability allows for flexible integration of renewable energy sources and load balancing. The environmental context includes potential impacts on local land use and electromagnetic fields, though modern substations are designed to minimize ecological disruption. Overall, North Benton Substation is a key node in the regional electrical infrastructure.
Environmental context
The substation is situated in a region with a mix of rural and urban areas, where land use includes agriculture and residential development. The presence of high-voltage equipment requires careful siting to minimize electromagnetic field exposure and visual impact. Typical environmental considerations for such facilities include stormwater management, oil containment from transformers, and wildlife protection measures. The dual-voltage operation may necessitate additional insulation and safety buffers, but modern design standards mitigate most ecological risks.
Frequently asked questions
North Benton Substation is located in the United States at coordinates 32.709280, -93.739290. It is owned and operated by Southwestern Electric Power Company.
The substation handles two voltage levels: 138 kV and 69 kV, indicating its role in both transmission and sub-transmission networks.
The substation is owned and operated by Southwestern Electric Power Company (SWEPCO), a subsidiary of American Electric Power.
As part of the U.S. grid, the substation must comply with NERC reliability standards and FERC regulations for transmission-level assets.
The substation is currently operational, actively contributing to the regional electrical grid.