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First opportunity to see the new design of high voltage pylons set in the countryside
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The training line will demonstrate all five of the family of T-pylons - each designed to perform different functions on the transmission network
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Important stage in developing the T-pylon before it is used on new transmission lines
Construction of National Grid's new T-pylon has begun at the company's training academy. The building of the training line of pylons will be the first opportunity to see the new design in the landscape.
The T-pylon was the winner of an international design competition to look for a 21st century design to carry high voltage overhead lines. The winning design from Bystrup, the Danish architects and engineering company, is 35 metres high - up to one third lower than the conventional steel lattice pylon.
A span of six of the new T-pylons will be built at the Eakring training academy in Nottinghamshire. The different pylons all have a different function.
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The standard suspension pylon that is designed to carry the cables in a straight line. Two suspension pylons will be built at Eakring.
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A D30 pylon which can allow for the greater pressure and weight of turning the cables at an angle of up to 30 degrees.
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An F10 flying angle suspension pylon which can allow a turn of up to 10 degrees - the first time such a pylon has been used in the UK.
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A pair of terminal diamond pylons which end a line at a substation or take the cables underground.
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A gantry terminal which is an alternative design of terminal pylon with the same function as the diamond terminal pylon.
Since the design competition in 2011, National Grid has worked with other engineers and partners to turn the design into reality and make sure the design could cope with all the stresses placed on a pylon. Is it mechanically sound? Can it withstand wind gusts of more than 80 mph or the additional weight of ice on the cables during extreme weather?
David Wright, Director of Electricity Transmission Asset Management at National Grid said:
"We've been able to answer yes to the hundreds questions that need to be asked before we can introduce a new type of pylon. 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"
"We developed the new style of pylon so that we could have a 21st century design to offer as we plan new transmission routes. 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".
The ground works, foundations and erection of the T-pylon at Eakring have been carried out by Balfour Beatty. William McElwain, UK Territory Director at Balfour Beatty said:
"We're delighted to be working in partnership with National Grid to deliver this landmark project. As part of the construction process, we've supported the development of methodologies and processes to determine the safest way to build all five of the new designs which is a fantastic opportunity for Balfour Beatty. After years of planning, it's great for everyone involved to finally see the T-pylons become a reality".
Steel manufacturer Mabey Bridge have produced the monopole and T cross section of the T-pylons as well as doing the final painting of the structure at their factory in South Wales. Russells Ductile Castings in Yorkshire and Bradken have been involved in metal castings. Other companies involved are Allied Insulators and Eaves.
Ends.
Due to the constraints of the site at Eakring, the six t-pylons are set closer together than they would be on a normal transmission lines. The neighbouring lattice pylons are also used for training and are not full height.
National Grid is one of the largest investor-owned energy companies in the world and has been named Responsible Business of the Year 2014 by Business in the Community. We own and manage the grids that connect people to the energy they need, from whatever the source. In Britain and the north-eastern states of the US we run systems that deliver gas and electricity to millions of people, businesses and communities.
In Britain, we run the gas and electricity systems that our society is built on, delivering gas and electricity across the country. In the North Eastern US, we connect more than seven million gas and electric customers to vital energy sources, essential for our modern lifestyles.
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We own the high-voltage electricity transmission network in England and Wales, operating it across Great Britain
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We own and operate the high pressure gas transmission system in Britain
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Our gas distribution business delivers gas to 10.9 million homes and businesses
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We also own a number of related businesses including LNG importation, land remediation and metering
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Our portfolio of other businesses is mainly concerned with infrastructure provision and related services where we can exploit our core skills and assets to create value. These businesses operate in areas such as Metering, Grain LNG Import, Interconnectors and Property. National Grid Carbon Ltd is a wholly owned subsidiary of National Grid. It undertakes Carbon Capture Storage related activities on behalf of National Grid.
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National Grid delivers electricity to approximately 3.4 million customers in New England and upstate New York
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We own 3.8 gigawatts of contracted electricity generation, providing power to over one million LIPA customers
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We are the largest distributor of natural gas in northeastern U.S., serving approximately 3.5 million customers in New York, Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
Find out more about the energy challenge and how National Grid is helping find solutions to some of the challenges we face at www.nationalgridconnecting.com