Overview
Plain Street Substation is an operational electrical substation in Braintree, Massachusetts, owned by the Town of Braintree Electric Light Department. It operates at 115 kV, supporting local grid stability.
Plain Street Substation is an operational electrical substation located in Braintree, Massachusetts, United States. Owned by the Town of Braintree Electric Light Department, it serves as a key node in the local distribution network. The substation operates at a voltage of 115 kV, which is typical for sub-transmission and distribution-level infrastructure in the region. The facility falls under the regulatory oversight of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and must comply with North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) reliability standards. As a municipally owned utility, the Braintree Electric Light Department is subject to state-level regulations in Massachusetts, which emphasize grid resilience and safety. The substation likely includes modern switchgear and protection systems to ensure reliable power delivery. This substation plays a critical role in supplying electricity to residential and commercial customers in Braintree. Its location in a suburban area near Boston underscores its importance for maintaining grid stability in a densely populated region. The facility contributes to the overall reliability of the New England power grid, supporting economic activity and community services.
Environmental context
The substation is situated in a suburban environment in Braintree, Massachusetts, an area with mixed residential and commercial land use. The local grid is part of the ISO New England system, which integrates renewable energy sources such as wind and solar. Substations like Plain Street are essential for voltage regulation and power quality, especially as distributed generation increases. The facility's design likely includes measures to minimize electromagnetic field exposure and comply with environmental noise regulations.
Frequently asked questions
Plain Street Substation is located in Braintree, Massachusetts, United States, at coordinates 42.197041, -70.999270.
Plain Street Substation operates at a voltage of 115 kV, which is typical for sub-transmission and distribution substations in the United States.
Plain Street Substation is owned by the Town of Braintree Electric Light Department, a municipal utility serving Braintree, Massachusetts.
As part of the US power grid, Plain Street Substation must comply with NERC reliability standards and FERC regulations for transmission-level assets. It also adheres to state-level utility regulations in Massachusetts.
A 115 kV substation steps down high-voltage transmission power for distribution to local networks. It ensures voltage regulation, grid stability, and reliable electricity supply to residential and commercial customers.