Transmission towers redesigned in Anisopter project

Redeia-owned tech platform Elewit has announced the Anisopter project, which will develop a new design for electricity transmission towers.

Breaking away from traditional transmission tower design based on braced and angled lattices, Anisopter proposes different triangulated topologies based on nodal structures that would make the fabrication and installation of the transmission towers more affordable and versatile.

The Anisopter project, a Horizon 2020 funded project, is being promoted by Elewit in collaboration with Anisopter Insightful Research and Red Eléctrica, proposing the study of structural connection elements, developed by Anisopter for their application in the transmission towers of high-voltage power lines.

Should these elements be verified as a feasible solution, the project is hoped to open the door to design alternatives for these assets.

According to Elewit, which is owned by Spanish TSO Red Eléctrica’s (Redeia), the new design will improve the electricity transport network’s efficiency, use less space for the placement of transmission towers, cost less for manufacturing, installation and maintenance and will have a “lower visual impact on the territory”, they stated in a press release announcing the project.

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The results of the project will be used to study how to compact power lines, reducing both the size and weight of the transmission towers and their foundations, using more efficient structures.

Elewit cites the importance of transmission towers, which allow:

• Connection between multiple nodes which compose the electricity network
• Correct conductor’s arrangement so that they do not pose a risk to the surrounding environment
• Greater resilience for network operators, as well as flexibility and ease, given their height, so that conductors can expand and contract

Anisopter’s solution is currently being analysed technicallly and economically. Once completed, laboratory validation tests will begin.

The initiative is aligned with Redeia’s 2021-2025 Strategic Plan, as it aims to minimise the environmental and social impact of new aerial high-voltage power lines.

According to Elewit, the national transmission grid has nearly 47,000km of aerial power lines, held by a large number of transmission towers.