Substations

Substations
A substation is used to transform one voltage to another
and for protecting and controlling transmission and
distribution lines.
Whats inside a substation?
Support structures to terminate transmission lines
Large metallic pipe called bus work
Circuit breakers
Switches
Transformers

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 Substations

Think of a substation as being an onramp or off-

ramp from an interstate or an intersection connecting
an arterial to a collector road.
In general, power flows from power plant
substations to main grid substations then from main
grid substations to distribution substations.

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 Substations

As an analogy, electricity flows through substations in the

same way a car might travel across the state.
first the car enters the interstate (main grid) by way of an on-
ramp (power plant substation),
then moves down the interstate, leaving the interstate at an off-
ramp (main grid substation) onto a minor highway (lower
voltage transmission line),
The car moves down the highway, finally turning off the
highway at an intersection (distribution substation).

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 Substation Types
Power Plant Substation Acts
as the receiving point for
energy produced at generation.
Generators produce electricity at
lower voltage.
Typically 6.5 kV to 13.8 kV
Power Plant Substation steps
voltage up to transmission
voltage.
Range from 69 kV to 345 kV
Can be co-located with other
types of substations.
Send out power to Main Grid
Oxbow Power Plant Substation Substations.
230 kV to 138 kV transformation
138 kV to 69 kV transformation
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 Substation Types
Main Grid Substation
Convert 230/345/500 kV
transmission to 46/69/138 kV
for transmission to Distribution
Substations.
Typically has multiple voltages
present.
Can be co-located with other
types of substations.
Send out power to Distribution
Substations.
Hemingway, Ontario, Bowmont,
Nampa, Caldwell Substations act
Kinport Substation as the main grid substations
345 kV to 230 kV transformation serving Idaho Powers western
230 kV to 138 kV transformation Treasure Valley region.
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 Substation Types

Distribution Substation
Converts the 46/69/138 kV
transmission from Main
Grid Substation to
12.47/34.5 kV for delivery
to its end use.

Midrose Substation
138 kV to 12.47 kV transformation
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Questions / Next Steps

Advisory Committee Meeting #3

Energy Efficiency
Pricing and Regulatory Issues
Western Treasure Valley existing conditions
Begin developing Community Criteria

Advisory Committee Meeting #4

Confirm Community Criteria
Future electrical buildout needs
Transmission and related components to meet buildout needs
Initial alternatives discussion

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 Thank you for your time and
participation!

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