Innovative towers to facilitate public acceptance

摘要

This paper presents one major 110 kV project where innovative technologies have been deployed by Elia, the Belgian TSO, with the aim of integrating renewables to the existing grid: The East loop project. The East of the Province of Liege is an area particularly conducive to (and active in) the field of green energy generation. The grid could no longer accommodate extra generation (saturation proven). Elia builds its infrastructure while considering the needs of future generations: security of supply and safety in the vicinity of high voltage lines are therefore absolute priorities. That is why Elia has decided to replace the existing, obsolete 70 kV line with new-generation infrastructure that will also boost supply capacity, by switching an existing corridor from 1×70 kV to 2×110kV. This paper describes the different stages of this development for the high performance concrete poles: material (concrete types with steel reinforcements) and geometry to optimize the solution. The paper will also give the lessons learnt of an experimental project with 3 double composite poles equipped of 110 kV pivoting Vees or insulated cross-arms. Note that the classical lattice towers have been used for the sharp angles and dead-end towers. Some lessons learnt during the construction phases will be also given as well as some maintenance issues to be taken into account during the development phases. The objectives of the design were to minimize the intervention times on site during construction and maintenance phases to increase the acceptability of this project. Concrete poles are durable (no pollution and fully recyclable) and require no maintenance/painting compared to lattice towers.