Keeping electricity flowing
Pylons are the veins of our electric systems, transmitting high-voltage electricity from power stations, dams and wind farms to homes and businesses.
36 M
MINIMUM HEIGHT Pylons are tall because transporting electricity at high voltage requires high clearance for safety purposes. Also, tall pylons mean the wires can easily straddle roads, rivers and railway lines. As a general rule of thumb, pylons are a minimum height of 118ft (36m). As overhead lines are normally bare (uninsulated), it’s important to make them as high as possible to ensure nothing gets too close to them.
380 m
The world’s tallest pylon is 380 metres tall – four times the height of London’s Big Ben. This giant pylon carries high-voltage power cables between Jintang and Cezi islands in China and was completed in 2019.
227 m
The tallest electricity pylons in Europe have a pinnacle height of 227 metres and are found at Elbe Crossing 2, Germany.
500,000
VOLTS You should never climb or attempt to get near overhead lines, as they have no insulation and can carry more than 500,000 volts, potentially causing severe shocks, burns or even death.
BIRDS ARE OK
When a bird sits on the electrical wire, its legs have an equal electrical potential, so the bird doesn't get electrocuted, as the electricity stays in the power line.
DIFFERENT TYPES, LOOKS AND MATERIALS
Pylons come in many different shapes and material with lattice towers – a framework construction made of steel or aluminum sections – being the most common type for high-voltage transmission lines. Poles are also made of tubular steel as well as wood and concrete, although the two latter materials have some limitations. Around the world you’ll find various special designs, including a pylon in the shape of Mickey Mouse near Walt Disney World in Florida and clown-shaped transmission towers in Hungary.
Nynas is leading the transformer fluids transformation towards a more sustainable industry
1950–2018
- NYTRO® legacy grades are a reference for performance and quality with intrinsic sustainable character.
- Made to meet and exceed the most demanding life expectancy requirements, NYTRO has an average life span of 40 years.
- Nynas continuously improves refinery energy efficiency. Innovative solutions implemented at an early stage include steam generation using biofuel and waste heat from the refinery redistributed to the local district heating network.
2019
- Nynas launches NYTRO BIO 300X, a premium fully bio-based transformer fluid, 100% renewable, based on vegetable and waste feedstock.
- The fully bio-based hydrocarbon is designed to support growing demand from OEMs and Utilities looking for best-in-class cooling performances combined with a reduced environmental impact.
2022
- Nynas join the circular economy and launches a sustainable circular alternative to virgin mineral transformer oils.
- NYTRO RR 900X rerefined premium transformer fluid meets the most stringent IEC 60296 (2020) requirement and offers performance equal or superior to those of virgin mineral oils.
- The optimal transformer fluid choice, as the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is becoming more urgent.
