Overview
Southwest Wagner Substation is an operational electrical substation in the United States, owned and operated by NorthWestern Energy. It handles voltages of 34.5 kV and 12.47 kV, serving the regional grid.
Southwest Wagner Substation is an operational electrical substation located in the United States, owned and operated by NorthWestern Energy. The facility is part of the regional electrical infrastructure, stepping down transmission voltages for local distribution. The substation operates at voltage levels of 34.5 kV and 12.47 kV, typical for distribution substations that connect high-voltage transmission lines to lower-voltage distribution networks. As a substation, it plays a critical role in ensuring reliable electricity supply to surrounding communities. NorthWestern Energy, the owner and operator, is a regulated utility serving customers in Montana, South Dakota, and Nebraska, and the substation's location near the Nebraska-South Dakota border aligns with its service territory. Substations like Southwest Wagner are essential for grid stability and reliability. They enable voltage transformation and switching, facilitating the safe and efficient delivery of electricity from generation sources to end users. The facility's operational status ensures continued support for local residential, commercial, and industrial loads, contributing to the overall resilience of the regional power grid.
Environmental context
The substation is located in a rural area of the Great Plains, characterized by agricultural land and low population density. Its operation involves minimal direct environmental impact, though it supports the electrical infrastructure that powers local farming and communities. The facility's voltage levels and design are typical for distribution substations in this region, where overhead lines are common and land use is primarily agricultural.
Frequently asked questions
Southwest Wagner Substation is located in the United States, near the coordinates 43.078096, -98.297921, which places it in the region of Wagner, South Dakota, close to the Nebraska border.
Southwest Wagner Substation is an electrical substation that transforms voltage levels from 34.5 kV to 12.47 kV, facilitating the distribution of electricity from transmission lines to local distribution networks.
Southwest Wagner Substation is owned and operated by NorthWestern Energy, a regulated utility providing electricity and natural gas services in Montana, South Dakota, and Nebraska.
Substations in the United States are subject to reliability standards set by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) and regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for transmission-level assets. Additionally, substation automation often follows the IEC 61850 standard.
Distribution substations typically operate at primary voltages between 12 kV and 34.5 kV, stepping down to secondary voltages of 4 kV to 25 kV for local distribution. Southwest Wagner Substation's voltages of 34.5 kV and 12.47 kV are within this typical range.