Overview
Pelican Lake Substation is an operational electrical substation in Minnesota, United States, owned and operated by Lake Region Electric Cooperative. It operates at 41.6 kV, serving the local grid.
Pelican Lake Substation is an operational electrical substation located in Minnesota, United States. Owned and operated by Lake Region Electric Cooperative, it serves as a key node in the regional distribution network, stepping down transmission voltages for local distribution. The substation operates at a voltage of 41.6 kV, which is typical for sub-transmission or primary distribution in rural cooperative systems. As part of the U.S. electrical infrastructure, it falls under state-level utility regulation and must comply with NERC reliability standards for grid stability, though its lower voltage class places it in a less critical tier than high-voltage transmission assets. Located in a rural area of Minnesota, the substation supports the cooperative's mission to provide reliable electricity to its members. Its operational status and connection to the broader grid contribute to the resilience of the local power supply, particularly important in regions with harsh winter weather that can stress electrical infrastructure.
Environmental context
The substation is situated in a rural area of Minnesota, characterized by agricultural land and scattered residential developments. The local environment experiences cold winters and moderate summers, which can affect equipment performance and maintenance schedules. The substation's design likely includes weatherproofing and insulation to handle temperature extremes. Its location away from dense urban areas reduces some environmental pressures but requires robust vegetation management to prevent outages from tree contact.
Frequently asked questions
Pelican Lake Substation is located in Minnesota, United States, near coordinates 46.658855, -96.131097. It is owned and operated by Lake Region Electric Cooperative.
Pelican Lake Substation operates at a voltage of 41.6 kV, which is typical for sub-transmission or primary distribution in rural electric cooperative systems.
Pelican Lake Substation is owned and operated by Lake Region Electric Cooperative, a member-owned utility serving rural areas in Minnesota.
In the United States, substations like Pelican Lake must comply with NERC reliability standards for grid stability and are subject to state-level utility regulation. For lower-voltage substations, compliance with local cooperative standards and safety codes is also required.
Substations are critical nodes in the electrical grid that transform voltage levels, switch circuits, and protect the system. They step down high transmission voltages to lower distribution voltages for safe delivery to homes and businesses.