PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
There is growing concern that long-term exposure to low magnetic fields emitted by high-voltage overhead lines may cause leukaemia and have a negative impact on the environment. Many European countries are introducing legislation reducing the acceptable levels of magnetic field strength to around 0,4 µT. However, to limit magnetic fields at ground level to 0.4 µT, conventional high-voltage pylons would need to be over 100 metres tall.
OBJECTIVES
The project’s aim was to demonstrate a new combination of high-voltage line and pylon that emits much lower magnetic field strengths, thereby reducing negative impacts on health and the environment. The configuration of the electrical phases was to be designed in such a way that the magnetic field would become much lower than that resulting from a traditional configuration. The new technology should enable overhead conductors to be placed closer to each other and to the pylon, thereby further decreasing the magnetic field’s strength. Other expected results included the use of composite materials for the pylons, helping to decrease maintenance costs and allowing them to be recycled after their lifespan. Finally, the new overhead masts were intended to be lower than conventional pylons and to have less visual impact on the landscape.
RESULTS
EFET has resulted in developing a design (Wintrack design) for an innovative high voltage tower that would significantly reduce the magnetic field. This could create positive impacts on health and could result in reduced environmental and visual impacts. However, the subsequent tendering procedure for the manufacturing of the tower was not successful. Only one offer was received, and because it didn’t meet tender specifications, it wasn’t awarded a contract. The main risk perceived by the market parties to manufacture the tower under the tender specifications was related to the use of composite materials, since these are not yet proven to be able to cope with the forces of high-voltage lines. The beneficiary will now, after the project’s end, continue the development of a high-voltage tower with a reduced magnetic field on the basis of a design that has been prepared as a fall back option in the design phase of the project. This design makes use of standard, proven technologies while still achieving a reduced magnetic field. No difficulties are expected in constructing this design and achieving the targeted reduction of the magnetic field on basis of this design. However, the benefits with regard to the visual impact will likely be lower than with the Wintrack design, and the benefits for the environment are also not yet clear as these depend on the chosen materials and no final decision has been taken with regard to this aspect. Despite the failure of actually manufacturing the Wintrack design during the project period, the beneficiary expects the project will indirectly lead to new solutions for a socially and economically responsible implementation of the new policy on magnetic fields of high voltage lines that the Dutch Ministry of Housing, Planning and the Environment (VROM) will introduce. EFET has resulted in developing a design (Wintrack design) for an innovative high voltage tower that would significantly reduce the magnetic field. This could create positive impacts on health and could result in reduced environmental and visual impacts. However, the subsequent tendering procedure for the manufacturing of the tower was not successful. Only one offer was received, and because it didn’t meet tender specifications, it wasn’t awarded a contract. The main risk perceived by the market parties to manufacture the tower under the tender specifications was related to the use of composite materials, since these are not yet proven to be able to cope with the forces of high-voltage lines. The beneficiary will now, after the project’s end, continue the development of a high-voltage tower with a reduced magnetic field on the basis of a design that has been prepared as a fall back option in the design phase of the project. This design makes use of standard, proven technologies while still achieving a reduced magnetic field. No difficulties are expected in constructing this design and achieving the targeted reduction of the magnetic field on basis of this design. However, the benefits with regard to the visual impact will likely be lower than with the Wintrack design, and the benefits for the environment are also not yet clear as these depend on the chosen materials and no final decision has been taken with regard to this aspect. Despite the failure of actually manufacturing the Wintrack design during the project period, the beneficiary expects the project will indirectly lead to new solutions for a socially and economically responsible implementation of the new policy on magnetic fields of high voltage lines that the Dutch Ministry of Housing, Planning and the Environment (VROM) will introduce.
