Overview
West Receiving Station is a substation operated by the University of Washington in Seattle, United States. It plays a key role in distributing electricity to the university campus and surrounding areas.
West Receiving Station is an operational electrical substation located in Seattle, Washington, United States. Owned and operated by the University of Washington, this facility serves as a critical node in the university's electrical distribution network, ensuring reliable power supply to campus buildings and research facilities. As a substation within the United States, West Receiving Station operates under the regulatory framework established by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). These standards mandate reliability and security for transmission and distribution assets. The substation likely includes switchgear, transformers, and protection systems compliant with industry standards such as IEEE C37. The substation supports the University of Washington's commitment to operational continuity and energy resilience. By managing voltage levels and load distribution, it enables the campus to maintain critical research activities and daily operations. Its location in an urban setting underscores the importance of robust electrical infrastructure for large institutional consumers.
Environmental context
Located in an urban environment in Seattle, the substation's environmental context includes proximity to residential and commercial areas. Electrical infrastructure in such settings must address electromagnetic field considerations and noise mitigation. The facility's role in powering a major university also ties into broader sustainability goals, as the University of Washington pursues energy efficiency and renewable integration.
Frequently asked questions
West Receiving Station is located in Seattle, Washington, United States, at coordinates 47.653665, -122.312536. It is owned and operated by the University of Washington.
West Receiving Station is an electrical substation that distributes electricity to the University of Washington campus. It steps down high-voltage transmission power to lower voltages suitable for campus buildings and facilities.
West Receiving Station is operated by the University of Washington, which manages its own electrical infrastructure to support campus operations.
In the United States, substations must comply with NERC reliability standards and FERC regulations. These cover equipment maintenance, cybersecurity, and grid stability. The facility also follows IEEE and ANSI standards for substation design and safety.
West Receiving Station serves as a critical distribution point for the University of Washington, ensuring reliable power for research, education, and daily operations. It helps balance load demands and supports the resilience of the campus electrical network.