Overview
Raccoon Substation is an operational electrical substation in the United States, owned and operated by Duquesne Light. It handles voltages of 138 kV and 23 kV, serving the regional grid.
Raccoon Substation is an operational electrical substation located in the United States, owned and operated by Duquesne Light. The facility plays a key role in the regional power distribution network, stepping down transmission-level voltages for local distribution. The substation operates with voltage levels of 138,000 volts (138 kV) on the transmission side and 23,000 volts (23 kV) on the distribution side, indicating a medium-to-large scale facility. As part of the US electrical infrastructure, it falls under the regulatory oversight of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for interstate aspects and must comply with North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) reliability standards to ensure grid stability. Located near the Ohio River in western Pennsylvania, the substation supports the Pittsburgh metropolitan area's electricity needs. Its operation is critical for maintaining reliable power supply to residential, commercial, and industrial customers in the region, contributing to the overall resilience of the local grid.
Environmental context
The substation is situated in a temperate climate zone with seasonal weather variations, including occasional severe storms that can impact grid reliability. Its location in a mixed urban and industrial area means it must manage load fluctuations from nearby manufacturing and residential areas. The facility's design likely incorporates standard environmental safeguards for oil containment and electromagnetic field management, typical for substations of this scale.
Frequently asked questions
Raccoon Substation is located in the United States, near the Ohio River in western Pennsylvania, with coordinates approximately 40.64° N, -80.33° W.
Raccoon Substation handles transmission voltage of 138 kV and distribution voltage of 23 kV, stepping down power for local distribution.
Raccoon Substation is owned and operated by Duquesne Light, a utility company serving the Pittsburgh area.
Substations in the US must comply with NERC reliability standards for grid stability and FERC regulations for interstate transmission. They also follow IEEE and ISO/IEC 61850 standards for automation and protection.
Raccoon Substation is currently operational, actively serving the regional power grid.