Overview
Saline River Substation is an operational electrical substation in the United States, operated by Midwest Energy. It operates at a voltage of 115 kV, serving the regional grid.
Saline River Substation is an operational electrical substation located in the United States, specifically in the state of Kansas near the Saline River. The facility is owned and operated by Midwest Energy, a regional utility serving central and western Kansas. As a substation, it plays a critical role in stepping down transmission-level voltages for local distribution. The substation operates at a voltage of 115 kV, which is a common sub-transmission voltage level in the United States. This voltage class is typically used to connect smaller load centers or to distribute power from bulk transmission systems to local distribution networks. The facility is part of the broader electrical infrastructure that adheres to North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) reliability standards and is subject to Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) oversight for interstate transmission. Saline River Substation contributes to grid stability in the region by facilitating the efficient transfer of electricity from generation sources to end-users. Its location in a rural area of Kansas underscores its importance in serving agricultural and residential communities. The substation's operational status ensures continued reliability of power supply in the region, supporting local economic activities and quality of life.
Environmental context
The substation is located in a rural area of Kansas, characterized by agricultural land and proximity to the Saline River. Electrical infrastructure in such settings typically has minimal direct environmental impact, though it supports the energy needs of farming and rural communities. The 115 kV voltage level indicates a moderate scale of operation, with standard environmental considerations including electromagnetic field management and vegetation clearance for right-of-way maintenance.
Frequently asked questions
Saline River Substation is located in the United States, in the state of Kansas near the Saline River. Its approximate coordinates are 39.1022 N, -99.3304 W.
Saline River Substation operates at a voltage of 115 kV, which is a common sub-transmission voltage level used to distribute power from high-voltage transmission lines to local distribution networks.
Saline River Substation is owned and operated by Midwest Energy, a utility company serving central and western Kansas.
In the United States, substations like Saline River must comply with NERC reliability standards for grid stability and FERC regulations for interstate transmission. Additionally, they follow IEEE and ANSI standards for equipment and safety.
A 115 kV substation serves as an intermediate point in the power grid, stepping down voltage from higher transmission levels (e.g., 230 kV or 345 kV) to distribution levels (e.g., 12 kV or 34.5 kV) for delivery to homes and businesses. It also provides switching and protection functions to maintain grid reliability.