A growing awareness of the environment and the importance of conserving nature has led to a greater focus on adapting new high-voltage towers to landscapes and surroundings.
Selection of aesthetic high-voltage towers
Power in Balance
A design tower for Statnett in Norway at the famous viewpoint of Kjerag in Lysebotn (Øygardstølen). The tower forms part of the 420 kV OHTL Lyse - Tjørhom, of the Western Corridor project. The concept was designed by Widenoja Design AS. Technical assessment and engineering development, as well as detailed design was completed by EFLA in cooperation with Widenoja Design. The towers were produced and erected in 2017.
1 / 3The design tower in Lysebotn. Credit: Woldcam - Statnett.
2 / 3The design tower in Lysebotn. Credit: Woldcam - Statnett.
3 / 3The towers were produced and erected in 2017.
Straw
Winner of a tower design competition for Statnett, Norway, in 2016.
The aim of the competition was to design a high-voltage 420 kV tower, specifically designed for installation in urban areas where low electromagnetic radiation and noise from the power line were important. The project, which was in collaboration with Widenoja Design AS, won the competition. In addition, it was ranked 3rd in an international competition held by Cigré in South Korea, in September 2017. Statnett is aiming to use this tower type to construct the new 420 kV OHTL Hamang - Bærum - Smestad in the Oslo area.
1 / 3The Straw, winner of a tower design. Photo: Eva Widenoja.
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The Straw, winner of a tower design. Photo: Eva Widenoja.
3 / 3The Straw, winner of a tower design. Photo: Eva Widenoja.
Design Fjordspan towers
132 kV high tower designed for Landsnet (Iceland). The concept was designed by EFLA (previously Línuhönnun) and built in 1981.
Fjordspan towers, Iceland.
Design tower Fljotdal
420 kV terminal towers in 400 kV OHTL FL3&4, designed for Landsnet. The concept design was completed by Hornsteinar Arkitekter. EFLA provided a technical review, engineering development and detail design in cooperation with the tower manufacturer. The tower was constructed in 2005.
The tower in Fljotdal.
The Bird
420 kV high voltage towers designed for Landsnet. The concept was designed by Hornsteinar Arkitekter. EFLA provided a technical review, engineering development and detailed design. The pilot tower was produced in 2017.
The Bird in Iceland.
The land of the giants
420 kV high voltage towers designed for Landsnet.
The concept was designed by Choi + Shine (USA). In the preparatory phase, EFLA performed a technical review and a feasibility assessment, as well as the engineering development for the tower. The project is currently on hold.
Land of the giants, project in Iceland.
Composite Tower
132 kV high voltage towers designed for Statnett.
Selected towers in the 132 kV OHTL Skogfoss - Varangerbotn were designed with a composite material made of fiberglass and epoxy with a steel cross-arm and cross members, as opposed to traditional wood poles, due to local environmental restrictions. The power line was constructed during 2010 - 2013.
132 kV high voltage towers for Statnett, Norway.
Aluminium tower
New 420 kV high voltage towers developed for Statnett 2013 - 2017.
A research and development project aimed to reduce the tower weight, helicopter transportation and erection and the quantity of work done by workmen above ground. EFLA was involved in all phases of the technical and structural design. The towers were produced and successfully tested in 2017.
Design tower Radøy
New types of high voltage towers for BBK in Norway. The concept was designed by Widenoja Design AS. EFLA completed the technical assessment and engineering development, as well as the detailed design of the towers. The towers are used on 420 kV OHTL Mongstad - Kollsnes power line constructed in 2015.
1 / 2High voltage towers. Credit: Widenoja Design AS and: Harald Aakerholt for BKK Enotek.
2 / 2High voltage towers in Norway. Credit: Harald Aakerholt for BKK Enotek.
Sentinel
A design competition for Statnett, Norway, in 2016. The aim of the competition was to design a high-voltage 420 kV tower, specially designed for installation in urban areas where low electromagnetic radiation and noise from the power line is important. The project, which was in collaboration with Widenoja Design AS, received 2nd place in the competition with first place going to the "STRAW" tower also by Widenoja Design AS and EFLA.
Sentinal received 2nd place in a design competition. Photo: Eva Widenoja.
"Phenix" 1 and2
Phenix 1 and 2 is a tower concept for a 380 kV double-circuit line, which was developed by EFLA in collaboration with Widenoja Design AS.
The towers aim to be aesthetically pleasing with their slim structure and open design and will blend in with rural surroundings, thus contributing to public acceptance.
Line parameters
- Phase lines: 4 x AAAC: 707-2Z
- Lighting shielding angle: 30 degrees or better
- Load per circuit: 3000A
- Ground wires: 2x298mm2
- Magnetic field at 20% load: 0.4µT
1 / 2Phenix 1. Photo: Eva Widenoja
2 / 2Phenix 2. Photo: Eva Widenoja
Environmental issues
The environment is more than just greenhouse gas emissions, it is also about the visual aspect especially when power lines are concerned.
EFLA's design towers fulfil several roles; some are optimized for aesthetic effect and act as a landmark e.g. at Lysebotn. Other towers combine aesthetics with the economy and could be used along an entire line. An example of this is the Design tower on Radøy. Furthermore, this can also be combined with lower electromagnetic fields to keep public exposure as low as practicable, such as "Straw". EFLA offers practical and economical design towers, tailored to the customer's requirements and project demands.
EFLA's role
Technical review and feasibility assessment, all phases of engineering development and detailed design of the high-voltage towers.