The Anonymous Widower

National Grid Energise World’s First T-Pylons

The title of this post, is the same as that of this press release from National Grid.

These are the four bullet points.

  • Electricity is flowing to homes and businesses through the first new pylon design in the UK for nearly 100 years.
  • Major milestone in National Grid’s Hinkley Connection project to connect 6 million homes and businesses in the South West to home grown, low carbon energy.
  • The T-design, with a single pole and cross shaped arms, is around a third shorter than the traditional design with a smaller ground footprint.
  • The T-pylons, along with a new substation and underground cabling, are now incorporated into National Grid’s electricity transmission network delivering electricity in Somerset and across England and Wales.

This is the first paragraph.

National Grid has successfully energised 36 of the world’s first T-pylons between Bridgwater and Loxton in Somerset. The new shaped pylons have been constructed as part of the £900 million Hinkley Connection Project, a new 57 km high-voltage electricity line that will connect six million homes and businesses to new sources of home grown, low carbon energy and help the UK to meet its net zero by 2050 target.

There is a video in the press release, which is well worth a view.

  • The size of the pylons certainly reduces their visibility.
  • It appears there are seven cables on either side.

These pictures show the transmission lines to the Sizewell power station site.

Note.

  1. The lower height is very noticeable.
  2. There seem’s to be a lot more wires.
  3. I would assume, that the reduced number of components, reduces the cost of installation and maintenance.

The installation proved that even in the most mundane of applications, innovation can bring positive results.

The T-pylons are a design by Danish company; Bystrup.

This is the specification from their comprehensive web-page.

  • Power – 2 x 400 kV
  • Height – 35 metres / 114 feet
  • Units/km – 3  (5 units/mile)
  • Material – Hot-dip galvanised steel, painted
  • Assembly – On-site and quick – less than 10 parts
  • Installation – Simple monopile foundation
  • Production possible anywhere in the world
  • Developed – 2011-2014

They’ve also won several awards.

  • 1st prize in int. competition for RIBA
  • Nominated for the IET Innovation Award 2014
  • Gold Prize, CIGRE Seoul 2017
  • Award winner, UK Steel Awards (SSDA) 2017

I would hope to see more in the UK.

 

 

 

March 21, 2023 Posted by | Design, Energy | , , , | 1 Comment