What type of substation is located in the middle of a load center?

A distribution substation is specifically designed to transform voltage from high levels to lower levels suitable for distribution to consumers. Located within or near a load center, its primary function is to step down voltage so that it can efficiently supply electricity to the local distribution network, which ultimately serves residential and commercial customers.

This strategic placement helps minimize losses during power transmission, as the substation can serve to directly utilize electricity closer to where it is consumed. Such substations often have equipment for switching and regulating the electricity to ensure reliability and meet the fluctuating demand in the local area.

In contrast, transformer substations often operate at higher voltage levels and are used to transform electricity from one voltage level to another, but they may not necessarily be located in load centers. Transmission substations primarily serve to connect different parts of the high-voltage grid and manage long-distance electricity transfer. Conversion substations transform power from one form to another (like AC to DC), often found in specific applications rather than in the load center context. This is why the distribution substation is the most appropriate choice in this context.