REFLECTIONS
PYLONS-
Design of Power Towers
Electricity is transported as electrones through high voltage lines over longer distances. Sometimes below the surface, but more often high above the ground. These cables are held by immense pylons or power towers. Probably one of the most iconic symbols of our energy system. More (renewable) electricity will demand more cables and thus more pylons. The visual presence of these slender giants is not always appreciated, apart from radiation discussions.
Time to re-think the appearance of these energy beacons!
Oskar von Miller
Glaspalast, Internationale
Elektrizitätsausstellung, München, 1882
A very short introduction to the Transmission Tower
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The first high voltage direct current transport of electricity over long distances was realised to power an artificial waterfall. In 1882 engineer Oskar von Miller and Marcel Deprez transported 1.500 Watts at 2 kV of electricity over 57 km of distance through a telegraph line. The energy was generated in a steam engine near Miesbach to the glass palace of Munich. The first step of 200 volt of current to the 800.000 volt today.
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The largest transmission tower today stands in China, connecting the islands of Jintang and Cezi. These winners are over 380m tall and the cables are crossing a distance of an impressive 2.656m.
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Those wanting to know more on the AC or DC, the monopolar and bipolar, the Wikipedia article offers a great introduction. The real aficionado's can join the Pylon Spotters!
Picture by Energyculture.Club
All shapes & sizes of the Tower Power
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Most pylons are built in the most performant technical and economical form. Landscapes are filled with these classic icons. These immense structures of steel have inspired artists and designers around the world. Some projects and style-sensitive grid operators have pushed the basic shape into funky new dimensions.
​​Artwork 'Zauberlehrling' in Oberhausen, Germany.
Created for Emscherkunst 2013. By Ingens Idee. More info
​​Artwork 'Lechtturm' in Germany. Created by 3 art students from Klasse Löbbert. More info
​​Clownlike design for transmission towers, near the M5 motorway in Újhartyán, Hungary. By local TSO Mavir. More info
Deer-shaped pylon, proposal from Design Depot, Russia. More info
Design competitions for a new pylon standard
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Praising the presence of pylons, and understanding the need for public acceptance, some grid operators have commissioned architects and designers to re-think the power tower. In 2011 the UK grid operator National Grid has together with the Department of Energy & Climate Change and the national architecture association RIBA, organised a design competition. A pioneering approach to better integrating these pylons in the landscape. It lead to many entries and a vast new book of ideas. The competition was won by Danish company Bystrup, who designed the new T-pylon. The first one was built in Nottinghamshire.
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Also on the volcanic island of Iceland a design competition was launched, the 'Icelandic High-Voltage Electrical Pylon International Design Competition'. One of the most remarkable entries being the 'Land of Giants' in which human shaped pylons are holding the lines, by Choi Shine architecture and design.
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​​Above: 6 entries for the National Grid UK design competition, 2011
Below: the winning entry T-pylon in operation
​​'Land of Giants', design entry for the ‘Icelandic High-Voltage Electrical Pylon International Design Competition’, 2008, by Choi Sine, Iceland. More info
Let's re-design our electricity landscapes!