Overview
Ridgely Substation is an operational electrical substation in the United States, owned and operated by Gibson Electric Membership Corporation. It operates at a voltage of 161 kV, serving the local grid.
Ridgely Substation is an operational electrical substation located in the United States, owned and operated by Gibson Electric Membership Corporation. The facility operates at a voltage of 161 kV, placing it in the medium-to-high voltage range typical for distribution and sub-transmission substations in rural cooperative networks. As a substation operated by an electric membership corporation, Ridgely Substation falls under the regulatory oversight of state-level public utility commissions and must comply with NERC reliability standards for bulk power system operations. The 161 kV voltage level indicates its role in stepping down power from higher transmission voltages for local distribution, a common configuration in rural areas served by electric cooperatives. The substation plays a critical role in maintaining grid stability and power quality for the surrounding community. Its location in Tennessee (based on coordinates) places it within the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) service area, where it supports the delivery of reliable electricity to residential, commercial, and agricultural customers. The facility's operational status ensures continued service to the local grid.
Environmental context
The substation is located in a rural area of Tennessee, where the surrounding landscape includes agricultural fields and scattered residential developments. Electrical infrastructure in such settings typically has minimal direct environmental impact, though proper maintenance of equipment and vegetation management around the substation are important to prevent outages and reduce fire risk. The 161 kV voltage level is standard for regional distribution, balancing efficiency with safety considerations.
Frequently asked questions
Ridgely Substation is located in the United States, with coordinates approximately 36.2635° N, -89.4687° W, placing it in the state of Tennessee.
Ridgely Substation operates at a voltage of 161 kV, which is typical for sub-transmission and distribution substations serving rural areas.
Ridgely Substation is owned and operated by Gibson Electric Membership Corporation, an electric cooperative serving parts of Tennessee.
Substations in the United States must comply with NERC reliability standards for grid stability and FERC regulations for transmission-level assets. State public utility commissions also oversee distribution-level operations.
A 161 kV substation typically steps down high-voltage transmission power to lower voltages for local distribution, ensuring reliable electricity delivery to residential, commercial, and industrial customers.