Electrical substation at 75th and Lookout Road in Boulder, Colorado

Having spoken with some of the crew, onsite, I learned that this particular substation is "fed" by power from the Fort St. Vrain Power Station natural gas-fired plant and Valmont coal-fired plant. There are 230,000 volts coming into the substation with transformers stepping it down to 13,000 volts.

Although I don't know much about power generation and distribution I still find it all fascinating - and a necessary evil despite the health and environmental hazards. Nevertheless, it appears a lot of thought and planning goes into these substations so that we'll all have electricity!

Oh, in the video I mention that Fort St. Vrain may have been a nuclear plant at one time. A quick search reveals that it was, indeed, a nuclear plant but the first commercial one in our nation's history to be decommissioned!

Here's my personal web page about solar power:
http://www.rogerwendell.com/solar.html

Here's my personal web page about wind power:
http://www.rogerwendell.com/wind.html

Here's my personal web page about nuclear power:
http://www.rogerwendell.com/nukes.html

03-13-2009

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• electrical
• power
• substation
• 230
• kv
• boulder
• colorado
• 75th
• and
• lookout
• road

[lokeycmos]

whats that thing hanging from the middle insulator at 2:40

[zeekzilch]

@lokeycmos

I'm not sure but it appears to be a weight of some sort to maintain physical tension on the line. Just a guess - maybe somebody out there has a better idea?

[TheNatestate]

i was at my local power substation and to keep people out and away from the fence they had line running from the high voltage lines to the fence. i think thats rediculous.

[zeekzilch]

@TheNatestate

Sounds dangerous!

[TheNatestate]

i have always wanted to be at a substation when they are switching the power and where it arcs just to see what it was like. i heard that u can feel the electricity going through u when it arcs.

[zeekzilch]

@TheNatestate

Yes, I would like to watch them switch power too!

[form109]

i just love to look at Electrical Substations...i'd probably never go into one though.

[poopskinTheLiar]

@form109 Yeah. Call me crazy, but there's just something...interesting about them. i really can't put a finger on why, but they are nice to look at.

[lasdlt]

As for the health effects, electromagnetic fields have not been proven to have any health side effects. My father worked in substations like this one for over 40 years and is in great health. Men and women have been working in electrical substations for over 100 years and there is no evidence linking exposure to EMF and health issues. Just my three cents.

[lasdlt]

@TheNatestate Sounds made up!

[TheKittyBounce]

Exactly! Don't they look cool! I love watching them!