Innovative pilons in production
03-02-2010
<leeg>03-02-2010
After issuing a call for tenders, TenneT has entered into two contracts for the construction of high-voltage lines featuring the new and innovative ‘Wintrack’ pylon. The pylons will be installed in the south of the Randstad conurbation first, with construction handled by VolkerWessels Telecom Network Solutions BV. The foundations will be supplied by Heijmans. The pylons are to be installed along a line section of over 10 kilometres in length throughout 2010 and 2011.
TenneT has developed a new concept for high-voltage lines with a much lower magnetic field intensity than existing lines. The innovative design is called Wintrack and consists of two slender pylons from which the high-voltage wires are suspended. It was developed in collaboration with the independent research agency KEMA.
The slender, tapering pylons appear as visually distinct elements to the observer. Due to their design, the pylons can be integrated into the landscape with little effect to the surrounding area’s aesthetics. The high-voltage wires (conductors) are suspended closer together than in standard high-voltage pylons, thus reducing the intensity of the magnetic field generated along the line. The pylons are also easy to maintain thanks to their simple structure and smooth surfaces. As a result of this innovative design, optimum use can be made of the space available around high-voltage lines. With the current type of 380 kV pylon and line, construction restrictions would apply to a strip of land of approximately 300 metres around the high-voltage line, according to the magnetic field strength guidelines issued by the Dutch Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment. If the Wintrack concept is used, however, this strip (also referred to as the ‘magnetic field zone’) can be reduced to less than 100 metres in width.
It is expected that the first pylons will be installed in the first half of 2010 along the A12 motorway near Bleiswijk, where TenneT is currently building a new high-voltage substation. As a result, the existing electricity connection from Krimpen aan den IJssel to Zoetermeer is being directed towards the new substation. Installation involves six poles in total (i.e. three pylon positions). The new pylons will also be used in a new connection across the Randstad conurbation, and most likely in other above-ground 380 kV projects throughout the Netherlands as well.
www.tennet.org/wintrack
