Bystrup wins UK New Pylon Design Competition with 'T-Pylon' design
Chris Hodrien
The Engineer 14 October 2011 | By Sam Shead
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s-uk-pylon-design-competition-with-t-pylon/1010612.article
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Bystrup's T-Pylon has beaten six other finalists to be crowned the winner of
the Pylon Design Competition.
The Department of Energy & Climate Change, National Grid and the Royal
Institute of British Architects ran the competition from May this year,
which received more than 250 applications.
Henrik Skouboe, Bystrup chief executive officer, told The Engineer: 'The
steel lattice pylons currently in use across the UK have a height of
approximately 55m, whereas the T-Pylon has a height of about 32m, which
results in a less significant visual impact.'
The T-Pylon is expected to weigh between 20-25 tonnes, which is
approximately the same as the lattice towers. However, the T-Pylon is said
to incorporate modern design and production techniques, which makes them
cheaper to manufacture according to Skouboe.
Installation of the T-Pylon is thought to be much simpler as it consists of
only four or five parts, compared with the lattice tower.
There are more than 88,000 pylons in the UK, carrying up to 400,000 volts of
electricity over thousands of miles.
Energy and climate change secretary Chris Huhne, said in a statement: 'This
is an innovative design that is simple, classical and practical.
'This competition has been a great success in bringing forward new and
creative approaches to a pylon model, which has not changed since the
1920s.'
Bystrup will develop its T-Pylon design with National Grid and receive
£5,000 in prize money. The five other finalists will receive £1,000 prize
money.
Nick Winser, executive director for National Grid, said in a statement: 'In
the T-Pylon, we have a design that has the potential to be a real
improvement on the steel lattice tower. It's shorter, lighter and the
simplicity of the design means it would fit into the landscape more easily.
In addition, the design of the electrical components is genuinely innovative
and exciting.'
National Grid has said it also wants to do further work with Ian Ritchie
Associates on its 'Silhouette' design, and New Town Studio's 'Totem' design.
See Also
* Shortlisted entries revealed for pylon design competition
<http://www.theengineer.co.uk/sectors/civil-and-structural/news/shortlisted-
entries-revealed-for-pylon-design-competition/1010035.article>
16 Sep 2011
* Competition, carriers, and creativity
<http://www.theengineer.co.uk/blog/competition-carriers-and-creativity/10093
08.article>
11 Jul 2011
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