Overview
Prairie Center Substation is an operational electrical substation in the United States, owned by United Power and Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association. It operates at 115 kV and 13.2 kV voltage levels.
Prairie Center Substation is an operational electrical substation located in the United States, with coordinates 39.929042, -104.795200. The facility is jointly owned by United Power and Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, reflecting a cooperative ownership model common in rural electric distribution. The substation handles voltage levels of 115,000 volts (115 kV) for transmission and 13,200 volts (13.2 kV) for distribution, indicating it serves as a step-down point from high-voltage transmission to local distribution networks. As a substation operating under the jurisdiction of the United States, it is subject to NERC reliability standards for grid stability and FERC regulation for transmission-level assets. The 115 kV transmission voltage is typical for sub-transmission or regional distribution, while the 13.2 kV distribution voltage is standard for local power delivery to residential and commercial customers. The facility likely employs modern switchgear and automation systems in line with ISO/IEC 61850 standards for substation automation. The substation plays a critical role in the local electrical infrastructure by stepping down power from the transmission grid to serve communities in the area. Its location in the United States places it within a highly regulated and reliable grid environment. The cooperative ownership structure emphasizes community-focused service and reliability for member-owners.
Environmental context
The substation is located in a region with a semi-arid climate, typical of the Colorado plains. Electrical infrastructure in such areas must be designed to withstand temperature extremes and occasional severe weather events. The facility's voltage levels and grid role contribute to local energy reliability, supporting both urban and agricultural loads.
Frequently asked questions
Prairie Center Substation is located in the United States at coordinates 39.929042, -104.795200. It serves the local electrical grid in the region.
Prairie Center Substation operates at 115,000 volts (115 kV) for transmission and 13,200 volts (13.2 kV) for distribution, making it a step-down substation from high-voltage transmission to local distribution.
Prairie Center Substation is jointly owned by United Power and Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, both of which are electric cooperatives serving members in the region.
Substations in the United States must comply with NERC reliability standards for grid stability and are regulated by FERC for transmission-level assets. Additionally, ISO/IEC 61850 standards for substation automation are commonly adopted.
Substations like Prairie Center serve as critical nodes in the electrical grid, stepping down voltage from transmission lines to distribution levels for safe delivery to homes and businesses. They also provide switching, protection, and monitoring functions to ensure grid reliability.