sciencetech-blog

comments

It has been almost 90 years since the electricity pylon as we know it was introduced into the UK.

But now, nine decades later, a new design is set to be rolled out by National Grid.

Called a T-pylon, it is less obtrusive than its predecessors, and will also be useful in transferring energy from green sources.

National Grid has revealed the UK's first new pylon for nearly 90 years. Called the T-pylon (artist's illustration shown) it is a third shorter than the old lattice pylons. But it is able to carry just as much power - 400,000 volts. It is designed to be less obtrusive and will be used for clean energy purposes

National Grid is building a training line of six T-pylons at their Eakring training academy in Nottinghamshire.

Each T-pylon measures about 115ft (35 metres) tall - about a third shorter than the old pylons, which were about 165ft (50 metres) tall.

The design is a T-shape, with two 'hanging baskets' either side holding the various wires and cables needed to transmit electricity. 

T-pylons were the winners of a 2011 design competition to develop a new pylon that could deal with changing sources of electricity - namely, greener sources such as wind and solar power.

'We've been able to answer "yes" to the hundreds of questions that need to be asked before we can introduce a new type of pylon,' said David Wright, Director of Electricity Transmission Asset Management at National Grid.

'The training line has enabled us to learn so many lessons about how to manufacture and build the T-pylon.

'I'm incredibly proud of the high standard of engineering that brought us to this point.'

Despite being shorter, the new tower is able to transport a similar amount of power to its predecessor - 400,000 volts - and each arm can support 60 tonnes of weight.

The simplistic design, composed mostly of just eight components, means new T-pylons can be erected in just a single day, rather than a whole week for older pylons.

Despite being shorter, the new tower is able to transport a similar amount of power to its predecessor - 400,000 volts - and each arm can support 60 tonnes of weight. T-pylons were the winners of a 2011 design competition to develop a new pylon that could deal with changing sources of electricity (others shown right)

National Grid is building a training line of six pylons at their Eakring training academy in Nottinghamshire (image from construction shown). The simplistic design, composed mostly of just eight components, means new T-pylons can be erected in just a single day, rather than a whole week for older pylons

Maintenance is also easier, as engineers do not need to climb the pylons, but can simply work on them from an elevated platform.

The new pylons won't replace the 88,000 lattice pylons currently in use; rather, the National Grid will use them separately.

National Grid plans to use the first operational T-pylons with the Hinkley Point C nuclear power station in Somerset.

'We developed the new type of pylon so that we could have a 21st century design to offer as we plan new transmission routes,' added Mr Wright.

'The T-pylon is not a replacement for the steel lattice pylon but it's a new option and in some landscapes its shorter height and sleeker appearance can offer real advantages.' 

Today there are more than 88,000 lattice pylons in the UK, including 22,000 on National Grid's main transmission network in England and Wales. These stand some 165ft (50 metres) high, weigh around 30 tonnes and carry up to 400,000 volts of electricity over thousands of kilometres