Overview
Tarkington Substation is an operational electrical substation in Liberty County, Texas, operated by Sam Houston Electric Cooperative at 138 kV voltage level.
Tarkington Substation is an operational electrical substation located in Liberty County, Texas, United States. It is owned and operated by Sam Houston Electric Cooperative, a member-owned electric utility serving rural and suburban areas in Southeast Texas. The substation operates at a voltage level of 138 kV, which is typical for sub-transmission and distribution substations that step down power from higher voltage transmission lines for local distribution. The substation's 138 kV voltage level places it within the medium-to-high voltage range for distribution infrastructure in the United States. As part of Sam Houston Electric Cooperative's network, it likely plays a role in delivering reliable electricity to residential, agricultural, and commercial customers in the region. The cooperative is subject to reliability standards set by the Texas Reliability Entity (TRE) and the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), ensuring grid stability and operational safety. Tarkington Substation supports the electrical infrastructure of Liberty County, an area with a mix of rural communities and growing suburban development. Its operation contributes to the resilience of the local grid, particularly during extreme weather events common to the Gulf Coast region. The substation's role in distributing power to end-users underscores its importance in maintaining energy access for the surrounding community.
Environmental context
Located in Liberty County, Texas, the substation operates in a region with a humid subtropical climate, characterized by hot summers and mild winters. The area is prone to severe weather including thunderstorms, hurricanes, and flooding, which can impact grid reliability. The substation's design and maintenance likely incorporate measures to withstand such conditions, such as elevated equipment and robust grounding systems. Its rural setting reduces exposure to urban heat island effects but requires vegetation management to prevent outages from tree contact.
Frequently asked questions
Tarkington Substation is located in Liberty County, Texas, United States, near the coordinates 30.239047 N, -94.971167 W.
Tarkington Substation is owned and operated by Sam Houston Electric Cooperative, a member-owned electric utility serving Southeast Texas.
Tarkington Substation operates at a voltage of 138 kV, which is a common voltage for sub-transmission and distribution substations in the United States.
As part of the US electrical grid, Tarkington Substation must comply with NERC reliability standards and FERC regulations for transmission-level assets, as well as state-level rules from the Public Utility Commission of Texas.
A 138 kV substation steps down high-voltage electricity from transmission lines to lower voltages for local distribution, serving residential, commercial, and industrial customers in its area.