Overview
Odlaw Substation is an operational electrical substation in Texas, United States, owned and operated by the Lower Colorado River Authority. It operates at a voltage of 138 kV, serving the regional power grid.
Odlaw Substation is an operational electrical substation located in Texas, United States. Owned and operated by the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA), this facility plays a key role in the regional transmission network. The substation operates at a voltage of 138 kV, which is a common sub-transmission level in the US power grid, typically serving distribution systems or industrial customers. The substation is part of the broader LCRA transmission system, which is regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and must comply with North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) reliability standards. These standards ensure grid stability and security, including requirements for voltage control, protection systems, and maintenance. The 138 kV voltage level indicates this substation likely connects to larger transmission lines and steps down power for local distribution. As part of the Texas Interconnection, one of the three major US power grids, Odlaw Substation contributes to the reliable delivery of electricity to communities and industries in the region. The LCRA is a nonprofit utility that provides power to over 1 million Texans, making this substation an important asset for supporting economic activity and daily life in the area.
Environmental context
Located in Texas, Odlaw Substation operates in a region with a hot semi-arid climate, where high summer temperatures drive peak electricity demand for air conditioning. The substation's rural setting near the Texas-Mexico border means it may be exposed to extreme weather events such as droughts and occasional winter storms, which can stress the grid. The surrounding landscape is characterized by brushland and agricultural areas, with minimal direct environmental impact from the substation itself, though its role in powering local communities and irrigation systems is significant.
Frequently asked questions
Odlaw Substation is located in Texas, United States, near the coordinates 29.268256, -100.198035, in a rural area close to the Texas-Mexico border.
Odlaw Substation operates at a voltage of 138 kV, which is a sub-transmission voltage level commonly used to distribute power from high-voltage transmission lines to local distribution networks.
Odlaw Substation is owned and operated by the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA), a nonprofit public utility that provides electricity and water services to central Texas.
As part of the US power grid, Odlaw Substation must comply with NERC reliability standards and FERC regulations, which govern grid stability, cybersecurity, and maintenance practices for transmission assets.
A 138 kV substation typically steps down high-voltage transmission power (e.g., 345 kV) to sub-transmission levels for distribution to industrial customers or further step-down to lower voltages for residential and commercial use.