Overview
Zwingle Substation is an operational electrical substation in Iowa, United States, operated by Maquoketa Valley REC. It operates at 69 kV, serving the local grid.
Zwingle Substation is an operational electrical substation located in Iowa, United States. Owned and operated by Maquoketa Valley REC, the facility plays a key role in the regional electrical infrastructure. The substation operates at a voltage of 69 kV, which is typical for distribution-level substations in rural areas. As part of the U.S. electrical grid, Zwingle Substation operates under the regulatory framework established by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). These standards ensure reliability and security of the bulk power system. The substation likely includes switchgear and transformers to step down voltage for local distribution. The substation's location in a rural area of Iowa underscores its importance in providing reliable electricity to agricultural and residential customers. Maquoketa Valley REC, a rural electric cooperative, serves communities in eastern Iowa, and this substation is a critical node in their distribution network.
Environmental context
The substation is situated in a rural agricultural region of Iowa, where the landscape is dominated by farmland. Electrical infrastructure in such areas must be resilient to weather extremes, including thunderstorms and winter storms. The 69 kV voltage level indicates a distribution substation, which typically has a smaller environmental footprint than high-voltage transmission substations. Vegetation management and oil containment for transformers are standard environmental considerations.
Frequently asked questions
Zwingle Substation is located in Iowa, United States, at coordinates 42.309170, -90.713814. It is operated by Maquoketa Valley REC.
Zwingle Substation operates at 69 kV (69,000 volts), which is a common voltage for distribution substations in rural areas.
Zwingle Substation is owned and operated by Maquoketa Valley REC, a rural electric cooperative serving parts of eastern Iowa.
Substations in the United States are subject to NERC reliability standards and FERC regulations. These ensure grid stability, cybersecurity, and compliance with the North American Electric Reliability Corporation's Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) standards.
A 69 kV substation typically steps down transmission-level voltage to distribution levels for local use. It serves as a critical link between high-voltage transmission lines and the lower-voltage distribution network that delivers electricity to homes and businesses.