Overview
Ortonville 115kV Substation is an operational electrical substation in Ortonville, Minnesota, owned and operated by Otter Tail Power Company. It operates at 115 kV, serving the local grid.
Ortonville 115kV Substation is an electrical substation located in Ortonville, Minnesota, United States. Owned and operated by Otter Tail Power Company, the facility is part of the regional transmission and distribution network, stepping down voltage for local distribution. The substation operates at 115 kV, a common sub-transmission voltage level in the United States. The substation is regulated under the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) reliability standards, ensuring grid stability and security. As a 115 kV facility, it plays a role in connecting bulk power transmission to distribution systems, typical for rural and semi-urban areas in the Upper Midwest. Otter Tail Power Company, a vertically integrated utility, serves customers in Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota. Environmentally, the substation is situated in a rural agricultural region of western Minnesota. Its operation supports local communities and farms by providing reliable electricity. It is listed as operational, indicating ongoing maintenance and compliance with regulatory requirements.
Environmental context
The substation is located in a rural agricultural area in western Minnesota, near the Minnesota River. The surrounding landscape is primarily farmland and small communities. Electrical infrastructure in such areas is critical for powering irrigation, grain handling, and rural residences. The 115 kV voltage level is typical for sub-transmission in this region, balancing capacity and cost for rural electrification.
Frequently asked questions
Ortonville 115kV Substation is located in Ortonville, Minnesota, United States, at coordinates 45.303214, -96.449465.
The substation is owned and operated by Otter Tail Power Company, a utility serving parts of Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota.
The substation operates at 115 kV, which is a common sub-transmission voltage level in the United States, used to distribute power from high-voltage transmission lines to local distribution networks.
As part of the U.S. bulk power system, the substation must comply with NERC reliability standards and FERC regulations for transmission-level assets, ensuring grid stability and security.
A 115 kV substation steps down voltage from higher transmission levels (e.g., 230 kV or 345 kV) to distribution levels (e.g., 34.5 kV or 12.47 kV), serving as a critical node for delivering electricity to communities and industries.