Overview
Reeves Road Substation is an operational electrical substation in the United States, owned and operated by Southwestern Electric Power Company. It operates at a voltage of 161 kV, serving the regional grid.
Reeves Road Substation is an operational electrical substation located in the United States, owned and operated by Southwestern Electric Power Company (SWEPCO), a subsidiary of American Electric Power. The facility operates at a voltage of 161 kV, classifying it as a high-voltage substation critical for regional power transmission and distribution. Its coordinates (35.195038, -94.361247) place it in a rural or suburban area, likely serving local communities and industrial loads. As part of the U.S. electrical infrastructure, this substation falls under the regulatory oversight of the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). SWEPCO, as a utility, must comply with NERC reliability standards to ensure grid stability and security. The 161 kV voltage level is typical for sub-transmission systems, connecting bulk power transmission to distribution networks. The substation likely includes switchgear, transformers, and protection systems adhering to standards such as IEEE C37 for high-voltage equipment. Operationally, Reeves Road Substation plays a key role in maintaining reliable electricity supply to its service area. Its location in the southwestern United States may expose it to weather-related risks such as thunderstorms or heatwaves, which can affect grid performance. As an operational facility, it contributes to the regional power grid's resilience and capacity. Understanding its role helps stakeholders assess local energy infrastructure and reliability.
Environmental context
The substation is situated in a region with a humid subtropical climate, characterized by hot summers and mild winters, which can influence electrical equipment performance and cooling needs. The surrounding area likely includes mixed residential and agricultural land uses, with potential environmental considerations such as stormwater runoff from impervious surfaces and electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure near residential zones. Vegetation management around transmission lines is necessary to prevent outages during storms.
Frequently asked questions
Reeves Road Substation is located in the United States, with coordinates 35.195038, -94.361247. It is within the service area of Southwestern Electric Power Company.
Reeves Road Substation operates at a voltage of 161 kV (161,000 volts), which is a common sub-transmission voltage level in the United States, connecting high-voltage transmission to distribution networks.
The substation is owned and operated by Southwestern Electric Power Company (SWEPCO), a subsidiary of American Electric Power, which serves customers in Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas.
In the United States, substations must comply with NERC reliability standards (e.g., NERC CIP for cybersecurity) and FERC regulations. Equipment often follows IEEE standards such as IEEE C37 for switchgear and IEEE 80 for grounding.
A 161 kV substation typically steps down voltage from high-voltage transmission lines (e.g., 345 kV) to distribution levels (e.g., 69 kV or lower), serving as a critical node for regional power distribution and grid stability.