Electrical System 

Stanford University is consistently rated one of the top 3 universities in the world.  Stanford Utilities operates and manages the campus electrical distribution system very similar to any large customer utility.  The University shares many of the physical, technical and management requirements inherent in the operation of any electrical power infrastructure.  Stanford campus covers over 8,180 acres.  The central campus buildings acreage is approximately 1,200 with over 490 buildings.  The facilities house academics, state of the art research facilities, a major research hospital and student and staff housing.  The university electrical power supply is from an on campus 50MW co-generation facility, which is owned and operate by Cardinal Cogen Co., a G.E. Subsidiary.  The cogeneration plant is directly connected to the Stanford owned 69kV Palou Substation, which is also interconnected with PG&E transmission.  30MVA of electrical power is distributed at 12,460kV and 4,160kV throughout the campus and to two other remotely located, substation/switching yards.  Panama Substation is a line-up of 9-600 AMP, 4160-volt breaker, and Escondido Substation comprises of a 12 to 4 kV, 2000kVA transformer and a four (4) unit fused, disconnect switch bank.  All locations are operated and maintained by the University Facilities Operations Utilities High Voltage Department.  At present, the campus electrical distribution system consists of: 

• 650 miles of high voltage, concrete encased underground duct bank.

• 228 vaults & manholes.

• Over 120 miles of high voltage electrical cable.

• Three 62,000 primary volt transformers, one 10mVA and two 33mVA.

• 287 - 12,470 & 4160 primary voltage transformers.

• 140-15kV submersible vacuum wwitches.

• 352-KWH meter locations