Overview
Oaks Substation is an operational electrical substation in Texas, United States, owned by South Texas Electric Cooperative. It operates at 138 kV and 69 kV voltage levels.
Oaks Substation is an operational electrical substation located in Texas, United States. Owned by South Texas Electric Cooperative, the facility plays a key role in the regional power grid, serving as a node for voltage transformation and distribution. The substation is part of the broader electrical infrastructure supporting rural and suburban communities in south-central Texas. The substation operates at two voltage levels: 138,000 volts (138 kV) and 69,000 volts (69 kV), indicating its role in both transmission and sub-transmission networks. As a substation owned by a cooperative, it is subject to reliability standards set by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) and regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for interstate aspects. The facility's equipment likely includes transformers, circuit breakers, and switchgear typical for medium-to-high voltage substations. Oaks Substation contributes to grid stability and electricity delivery in the region, supporting the cooperative's mission to provide reliable power to its members. Its location in Texas, a state with a large and growing energy demand, underscores its importance in maintaining system reliability and integrating local generation sources.
Environmental context
The substation is located in a rural area of south-central Texas, characterized by a mix of agricultural land and scattered residential developments. The local environment is subject to hot summers and occasional severe weather, including thunderstorms and hurricanes, which can impact grid infrastructure. The substation's design likely includes measures to withstand such conditions, such as elevated equipment and robust grounding systems.
Frequently asked questions
Oaks Substation is located in Texas, United States, near coordinates 29.130916, -98.590588. It is owned by South Texas Electric Cooperative.
Oaks Substation operates at two voltage levels: 138,000 volts (138 kV) and 69,000 volts (69 kV), indicating its role in both transmission and sub-transmission networks.
Oaks Substation is owned by South Texas Electric Cooperative, a member-owned utility serving rural areas in south-central Texas. The operator is also South Texas Electric Cooperative.
As part of the U.S. electrical grid, Oaks Substation must comply with NERC reliability standards for grid stability and FERC regulations for interstate transmission. It also follows industry standards like IEEE and ISO/IEC 61850 for substation automation.
Substations like Oaks are critical nodes in the power grid, stepping voltage up or down for efficient transmission and distribution. They also provide switching, protection, and monitoring functions to ensure reliable electricity delivery.