Project description
Developing a turnkey transmission system to enable electricity grid expansion.
The EU’s electricity grid is the most interconnected continental power network in the world. Yet, transmission system operators (TSOs) are constantly seeking less-intrusive, smaller, easier to establish, visually appealing and cost-effective transmission systems to improve the power sector. Such features will enable the TSOs to expand the electricity grid. The EU-funded ECP project will develop a turnkey transmission system that could change the game for operators and utilities around the world. It proposes an environmentally friendly, technically superior and cost-efficient pylon that uses composite materials on pylon cross-arms. The goal is to deliver, test and validate three full-scale, 2x400 kV composite pylons, designed according to European standards, and increase the partners’ competitiveness and innovation capacity.
Objective
The European electricity grid is undergoing major expansions to accommodate the switch to renewable sources and more
decentralized energy production. Yet, the lattice towers are facing increasing public opposition due to their unsightly visual
appearance, and the alternative method of underground cables is too costly for long stretches. The TSOs are increasingly
looking for less intrusive, smaller, easier to erect, visually appealing and cost-effective transmission systems that could raise
general public, environmental and land owners associations acceptance, and therefore enabling TSOs to expand the
electricity grid with minimal resistance.
The ECP consortium has developed a turnkey transmission system, more compact and with minimal visual impact. It relies
on the use of composite materials on pylon cross-arms, enabling the integration of insulators and consequently the reduction
of the size of pylons.
This funding programme enables Bystrup/DK, the main instigator of the project, to join forces with 4 global companies,
Valmont/DK, Reinhausen Power Composites/GER, Nexans/FR and Dervaux/FR to secure the final steps to
commercialisation by demonstrating the Composite Pylon at operational conditions. This will be the first step to ensure
market and key stakeholders acceptance, including TSOs, general public, environmental and land owners associations,
policy- and opinion-makers.
The ECP project will increase the partners’ competitiveness and innovation capacity with direct impact on economic turnover
and job creation. Also, the Composite Pylon leads to higher standards of environmental and societal sustainability of the
European and global OHTL sector.
Fields of science
Not validated
Not validated
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
IA - Innovation actionCoordinator
2100 Kobenhavn
Denmark