Pylon device could double capacity of UK power networks

Jointly developed by engineers at Manchester University of and EPL Composite Solutions, and manufactured by Manchester spin-out firm Arago, the device, a form of insulated cross-arm,  addresses some of the fundamental design limitations of the traditional pylon.

Prof Simon Rowland, who has led the work at Manchester’s School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, and is a director of Arago, told The Engineer that the device could enable operators to increase the power carrying capability of their powerlines by  up to 2.5 times.

‘The existing transmission network is really not big enough any more,’ explained Rowland. ‘All the transmission operators in the developed world are trying to get more and more power down their existing lines’

Rowland added that although operators can achieve small improvements by using different conductors or adjusting cable tension, the only way to significantly improve transmission capability has been installing completely new pylons, an expensive process that’s often fraught with planning implications.