Overview
Pirkey Substation is an operational electrical substation in the United States, operated by Southwestern Electric Power Company. It operates at a voltage of 345 kV, indicating a high-voltage transmission-level facility.
Pirkey Substation is an operational electrical substation located in the United States, specifically in the state of Texas near the city of Marshall. The facility is owned and operated by Southwestern Electric Power Company (SWEPCO), a major utility serving the region. With a voltage level of 345 kV, this substation is classified as a high-voltage transmission asset, playing a critical role in the bulk power system. As a transmission-level substation, Pirkey Substation operates under the regulatory oversight of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and must comply with the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) reliability standards. These standards ensure the stability and security of the interconnected grid. The 345 kV voltage class is typical for long-distance power transmission, connecting generation sources to load centers across multiple states. The substation's location in eastern Texas places it within the Southwest Power Pool (SPP) regional transmission organization, which coordinates grid operations across a large footprint. Pirkey Substation likely serves as a key node for integrating power from nearby generation facilities, including the Pirkey Power Plant, and distributing electricity to residential, commercial, and industrial customers. Its operational status ensures continued support for regional grid reliability.
Environmental context
The substation is situated in a region characterized by mixed forest and agricultural land, with a humid subtropical climate. High-voltage substations like Pirkey are typically designed with oil-filled equipment such as transformers, which require containment measures to prevent soil and water contamination. The facility's location near the Sabine River watershed underscores the importance of spill prevention and stormwater management. Additionally, electromagnetic fields (EMF) from transmission lines are managed through standard setback distances and public exposure guidelines.
Frequently asked questions
Pirkey Substation is located in eastern Texas, near the city of Marshall, in the United States. Its approximate coordinates are 32.4635° N, -94.4786° W.
Pirkey Substation operates at 345 kV (kilovolts), which is a high-voltage transmission level used for long-distance power transfer across the grid.
Pirkey Substation is owned and operated by Southwestern Electric Power Company (SWEPCO), a subsidiary of American Electric Power (AEP) serving parts of Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas.
As a transmission substation in the US, Pirkey Substation must comply with NERC reliability standards and FERC regulations. It also operates within the Southwest Power Pool (SPP) regional transmission organization.
A 345 kV substation serves as a critical node in the high-voltage transmission network, stepping down voltage for distribution or interconnecting multiple transmission lines to ensure grid stability and reliability.