Standard content for Members only
To continue reading this article, please login to your Utility Week account, Start 14 day trial or Become a member.
If your organisation already has a corporate membership and you haven’t activated it simply follow the register link below. Check here.
National Grid has launched the T-pylon in Somerset representing the next generation of electricity connection in the UK.
The pylon was selected through an international an international competition organised by the Department of Energy and Climate Change, Royal Institute of British Architects and National Grid.
It was designed by the Danish architects and engineers Bystrup and was selected from a field of 250 entries that was eventually whittled down to a shortlist of six.
The “radical arrangement of the electrical components” meant it could be lower than the equivalent steel lattice pylon and its simple design was judged to have less impact across landscapes, according to National Grid.
Nick Winser, National Grid executive director said: “The steel lattice pylon has served us well over the years and will continue to be part of the landscape but we’re looking forward to see people’s reaction to the new T-pylon design”.
Engineers from National Grid and Bystrup led a two year project to take the winning design through to construction of full sized prototypes. Earlier this year two types of pylon were built in Denmark which underwent mechanical strength and load testing. The insulators which hold the wires in places were electrically tested in Sweden.
Energy minister Ed Davey, said: “”We face a significant challenge over the coming years connecting new electricity plants to our homes and businesses. Now communities can be offered a new choice and a radical departure from the traditional lattice. A smaller pylon, one third shorter than its predecessor, with different finishes allowing it to blend into the landscape – T pylon is a striking and elegant design.”
The pylon is designed to carry the highest voltage 400,000 volt lines that are needed for the Hinkley Point connection project in Somerset. The new pylon could be an alternative to the steel lattice pylon on other new major projects which will be connecting up low carbon and renewable generation to the grid, but “there may be places where the traditional design remains the best choice for new projects,” according to National Grid.
It meets the same safety clearances as the three-armed steel lattice tower but is 10 to15 metres shorter – the T pylon stands at about 35 metres.
Please login or Register to leave a comment.