(UK) The National Grid has created a redesigned, low-profile pylon to replace the traditional steel - Polidicks

[img]http://eandt.theiet.org/news/2013/jul/images/640_t-pylon.jpg[/img] [img]http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2011/10/14/1318605996067/T-Pylon-design-007.jpg[/img] [img]http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/T-Pylon-Bystrup.jpg[/img] [t]http://www.nationalgridt-talk.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/image6.jpeg[/t] [quote=National Grid][b]Love them or hate them, the steel lattice electricity pylon has been a familiar sight since the first was erected near Edinburgh in 1928. Now, the country has reached a significant milestone with the inclusion of National Grid’s innovative T-pylon in the public consultation on the proposed 400,000-volt connection between Bridgwater and Seabank in Somerset, which will connect up the new Hinkley Point C nuclear power station.[/b] The T-pylon is something of a new departure for us. For 85 years we have only ever erected steel lattice pylons, and over that time I think we have done a pretty good job at protecting the British countryside with pylon systems that do not look as messy and confused as they do in some countries. At National Grid we want to build on our work in preserving the nation’s natural beauty by further minimising the visual impact of overhead cables. The T-pylon was the winner of an international competition to find a pylon design that was fit for the needs of the 21st century. Designed by Danish architects and engineers Bystrup under contract to National Grid, it is lower than the equivalent steel lattice type, and so has the potential to reduce the impact in some landscapes. [b]The T-pylon offers a modern, sleek and slender alternative to traditional designs. It is designed so that we can route overhead cables by following the contours of the land. Instead of sudden changes in direction that have characterised some routes with lattice pylons, the T-pylon helps us move towards more sweeping curves that follow the landscape. The T-pylon is shorter, too. A 400,000 volt lattice pylon is typically up to 50-metres high, while the T-pylon stands about 36-metres high.[/b][/quote] [url=http://www.nationalgridconnecting.com/designed-to-a-t/]Source[/url]

Pylons are one of those things I don't even notice anymore until someone mentions them. I like the current design though, maybe it's just me.

Won't be used much, they won't pay all the money to swap them. New lines might be made with these, but they won't be replacing the others.

Look slightly less hideous

Look pretty and futuristic imo

I quite like them, they look a lot less cluttered.

This is a pretty important thing to note, too. [quote]Appropriate choices [B]However, the T-pylon will not be used everywhere. In urban landscapes or where other lattice pylons exist, the old design may be more appropriate. [U]And we are certainly not proposing the replacement of all existing pylons with the T-pylon, as this would be prohibitively expensive.[/U] [/B]There is, however, a fund set aside to reduce the visual impact in areas such as National Parks, but this is more likely to be done by selective use of underground cables rather than by replacing pylons.[/quote]

I don't know much about architecture but I wish there was a cross-sectional view of both pylons extending below the ground. It's just the new design seems less stable than the current one, higher center of gravity, and a smaller base, so it would be interesting how they've made it stable while reducing the profile of it.

I hope they don't replace the pylons here. It's pretty cool to look down my street and see this huge steel tower. If they do I think I'll miss it :v:

[url=http://www.nationalgrid.com/NR/rdonlyres/4933FA38-A087-4783-941E-9FD8D1CA59BC/49018/Pylondesign16ppbookletFINAL.pdf]They held the design competition a couple of years ago, here's some of the other designs that were shortlisted.[/url]

It doesn't bother me either way to be honest.

[QUOTE=theblah12;46058922][url=http://www.nationalgrid.com/NR/rdonlyres/4933FA38-A087-4783-941E-9FD8D1CA59BC/49018/Pylondesign16ppbookletFINAL.pdf]They held the design competition a couple of years ago, here's some of the other designs that were shortlisted.[/url][/QUOTE] I remember these. I always liked the 'Plexus' design the most, but I think this design is a close second for me.

Well one pro to it, it's less climbable (so no more idiots going up and getting shocked) than the typical steel ones and over the years when they do line maintenance they might replace sections with the new design but that's like, long term thing.

From talking to my friendly neighbourhood NGT tech (by which I mean my dad), they're planning on building a [url=http://www2.nationalgrid.com/UK/In-your-area/Projects/Eakring-T-Pylon/]test line at Eakring next to the NGT Training Centre[/url], and then using them for the [url=http://www.hinkleyconnection.co.uk/]Hinkley Point C connection[/url].

Will they last 50+ years? If no don't waste your time, if yes use them to replace aging or damaged existing pylons.

[QUOTE=theblah12;46058922][url=http://www.nationalgrid.com/NR/rdonlyres/4933FA38-A087-4783-941E-9FD8D1CA59BC/49018/Pylondesign16ppbookletFINAL.pdf]They held the design competition a couple of years ago, here's some of the other designs that were shortlisted.[/url][/QUOTE] I think the 'Silhouette' one is my favourite.

[QUOTE=Irockz;46059332]I think the 'Silhouette' one is my favourite.[/QUOTE] [t]http://i.imgur.com/VOH3k97.png[/t] To be honest, I'm a huge nerd, so if I was out and about and saw all these huge-ass spikes covering the landscape, my first thought would be [t]http://img1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20140712152300/masseffect/images/thumb/a/a5/Derelict_reaper_dragon%27s_teeth.png/640px-Derelict_reaper_dragon%27s_teeth.png[/t] I personally feel that instead of pylons, we should transmit power through a series of tesla coils. On joyous days, we could adjust the voltage to make them play God Save The Queen all across the countryside.

nothing else to burn your money away on huh?

[QUOTE=Adlertag1940;46059887]nothing else to burn your money away on huh?[/QUOTE] Yup. Everyone knows there's just a big pot of money for [B]EVERYTHING[/B] in the UK that needs to be used. I mean, it's not like the US wastes billions on military equipment they don't need every year, is it?

[QUOTE=Adlertag1940;46059887]nothing else to burn your money away on huh?[/QUOTE] Yeah we already burnt all our money on free healthcare for all, this was next on the agenda.

[QUOTE=Drsalvador;46060169] I mean, it's not like the US wastes billions on military equipment they don't need every year, is it?[/QUOTE] Not fair to respond to a national stab with a national stab. Just disprove them and don't stoop to their level. I'd totally support this in my town, the power lines look gross

It looks like it'd fall to pieces in a strong wind.

The doctors had to take my grandma off life support to raise money for this

[QUOTE=Irockz;46059332]I think the 'Silhouette' one is my favourite.[/QUOTE] I liked the totem one, it kind of fades out at the top because the holes get larger.

You're all trying to avoid posting about it but I know every last one of you was reminded for a moment about that old StarCraft meme.

I have a great disdain for people that complain that energy structures are hideous. Millions of man hours of work were put into the infrastructure so you could update your facebook, cry harder about it. In one of the other threads some dude was complaining that a space elevator would be hideous to the landscape. If one of your main concerns about a great human accomplishment is that it's doesn't look pleasant, maybe you need to re-evaluate your life.

[QUOTE=Hidole555;46062791]You're all trying to avoid posting about it but I know every last one of you was reminded for a moment about that old StarCraft meme.[/QUOTE]No, not really.

[QUOTE=theblah12;46058922][url=http://www.nationalgrid.com/NR/rdonlyres/4933FA38-A087-4783-941E-9FD8D1CA59BC/49018/Pylondesign16ppbookletFINAL.pdf]They held the design competition a couple of years ago, here's some of the other designs that were shortlisted.[/url][/QUOTE] Plexus one looks like that Spinnaker tower in Portsmouth is taking over the world

Could we not just run cables underground?

They better make it white so that it looks all futuristic and shit. Galvanized steel is soo last millennia.