Terna has developed and continues to search for new solutions to improve the visual impact of the pylons. The main projects are currently:
Single pole tubular pylons represent an important innovation in building HV and EHV lines. In addition to their compact structure, that guarantees minimum space occupation, these pylons are characterized by:
- Reduced space occupation at the base (the area of territory occupied by the lines is reduced five times, from 250 to 50 sq. m.);
- Reduced visual impact, reducing the environmental impact of the new lines in areas of particular landscape interest.
At the end of 2010, the first tubular single pole pylons for the new 380 kV Chignolo Po-Maleo power line were installed, between the provinces of Lodi and Pavia. Their use is also planned in other projects such as the 380 kV power lines Sorgente-Rizziconi, Torino-Lacchiarella and Udine Ovest-Redipuglia.
Terna has entrusted to Sir Norman Foster, British architect and designer, a leading representative of high-tech architecture, the planning of specially designed pylons.
The 380 kV power line Casellina-S. Barbara-Tavernuzze in the province of Florence became operational on December 15, 2010: Foster pylons (10) were used in a segment of the line, making them unique in the world.
The Studio Rosental, with the project by Architect Hugh Dutton, in 2010 won first prize in the international competition “Tralicci del futuro” (Pylons of the Future) promoted by Terna for the idea and design of new pylons with low visual impact for the National Transmission Grid. The project was engineered in 2010.