Overview
Richland Wind Farm is a substation in Iowa, United States, operated by Alliant Energy. It handles voltages of 345 kV and 34.5 kV, supporting wind energy transmission.
Richland Wind Farm is a substation located in Iowa, United States, operated by Alliant Energy. The facility serves as a critical node for collecting and transmitting electricity from wind generation, with voltage levels of 345 kV and 34.5 kV, indicating its role in both high-voltage transmission and local distribution. The substation operates under the regulatory framework of the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), which enforce reliability standards for the bulk power system. As part of a wind farm, it integrates renewable energy into the grid, requiring compliance with interconnection standards and grid stability requirements. This facility plays a key role in Iowa's renewable energy infrastructure, supporting the state's significant wind power capacity. By stepping up voltage for long-distance transmission, it enables the delivery of clean energy to distant load centers, contributing to regional grid decarbonization and energy security.
Environmental context
Located in rural Iowa, the substation is surrounded by agricultural land and wind turbines. Its operation supports renewable energy generation, reducing reliance on fossil fuels. The area's flat terrain and consistent winds make it ideal for wind power, but the substation's infrastructure must be designed to withstand extreme weather events like tornadoes and ice storms.
Frequently asked questions
Richland Wind Farm is located in Iowa, United States, at coordinates 42.364022, -95.226715.
The substation operates at 345 kV for high-voltage transmission and 34.5 kV for local collection.
The substation is operated by Alliant Energy, a major utility in the Midwest.
As part of the U.S. bulk power system, it must comply with NERC reliability standards and FERC regulations.
It collects power from wind turbines and steps up voltage for transmission, integrating renewable energy into the grid.