UK Power Networks has begun reinforcing thousands of aging wooden electricity poles with steel support trusses that can be fitted while lines stay live – a UK-first initiative designed to curb power cuts and cut maintenance time across London, the South East and the East of England.
Around 8,000 trusses have already been driven 1.8m into the ground beside vulnerable poles in locations from Luton and King’s Lynn to coastal Norfolk and rural Kent. The programme forms part of a wider plan to upgrade 70,000 poles – more than a tenth of the company’s 45,000 km overhead network – without interrupting supplies to its 8.5 million customers.
Each steel brace ‘hugs’ the pole, adding enough strength to resist over half a tonne of pulling force – well beyond the load from 100 mph winds. Because the pole stays in situ, installation teams can fit up to eight supports a day, compared with a full day to swap out a single pole, while slashing the volume of imported timber and the carbon tied up in the supply chain. When a pole eventually reaches end-of-life, the brace can be reused on its replacement.
“In a UK-first, we’re tackling the challenge of deteriorating wooden poles in our overhead line network by supplementing a replacement programme, with the introduction of steel pole supports which are faster, more sustainable alternative to full pole replacements,” noted Ian Young, Asset Strategy Manager at UK Power Networks.
“This approach not only boosts our resilience, especially in occasional events such as storms, but also helps us maintain service to local communities without needing to de-energise the network.
“The supports, which have been used in the US for decades, can see up to eight installations completed in the time it takes for one traditional replacement, whilst reducing our environmental impact and reliance on imported timber. Power supplies are already 99.9% reliable and this solution enhances our repair toolkit, improves customer service, and supports our sustainability goals.”
The equipment is manufactured by AUS Ltd, recently acquired by Osmose Utilities Services, which hopes the technology will now gain traction with other distribution network operators.
“Recently acquired by Osmose Utilities Services Inc., AUS Ltd is exceptionally proud to have partnered with UK Power Networks to successfully introduce and install our steel trussing solutions to extend distribution wood pole asset life,” added Richard Brown, Commercial and Business Director, AUS Ltd.
“The results delivered are now leading to numerous partnerships with other DNOs throughout the UK and Ireland to offer similar network benefits. As the market-leading provider of critical resiliency, assessment, evaluation, and restoration services for transmission, distribution, and telecommunications companies, Osmose is globally recognised for its sustainability, innovation, and commercial benefits for electric infrastructure and the network of operators.”
