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Projects: Projects for Investigator
Reference Number NIA_SPT_1603
Title Trialling Long-Lasting Tower Paints
Status Completed
Energy Categories Other Power and Storage Technologies(Electricity transmission and distribution) 100%;
Research Types Applied Research and Development 100%
Science and Technology Fields PHYSICAL SCIENCES AND MATHEMATICS (Metallurgy and Materials) 100%
UKERC Cross Cutting Characterisation Not Cross-cutting 100%
Principal Investigator Project Contact
No email address given
Scottish Hydro Electric Power Distribution plc (SHEPD)
Award Type Network Innovation Allowance
Funding Source Ofgem
Start Date 01 April 2016
End Date 01 July 2018
Duration 27 months
Total Grant Value £279,899
Industrial Sectors Power
Region Scotland
Programme Network Innovation Allowance
 
Investigators Principal Investigator Project Contact , Scottish Hydro Electric Power Distribution plc (SHEPD) (99.997%)
  Other Investigator Project Contact , SP Energy Networks (0.001%)
Project Contact , Eastern Power Networks plc (0.001%)
Project Contact , South Eastern Power Networks plc (0.001%)
Web Site http://www.smarternetworks.org/project/NIA_SPT_1603
Objectives Stage 1 Engage with the coating suppliers to ensure that each coating is applied to the samples according to the recommended instructions. Where it may be not possible to follow these for UK application on pylons, alternatives will be agreed; Identify a trial circuit for the practical application; Specify laboratory tests and practical tests; Stage Carry out laboratory tests to estimate longevity and supplementary tests if necessary to meet ‘Electricity Company Approved’ status;Stage 3Engage approved contractor to carry out practical application of the coatings on a test circuit;Stage 4Produce a report evaluating the coatings against the applicable sections of the Electricity Company Approved specification; Rate the performance of the coatings by analysing test data and life-cycle cost relative to the control paint (Alkyd based complying with Electricity Company Approved requirements);Recommend the best coatings and any additional work necessary before wide-scale adoption. One or more coating systems are identified that allow the repainting interval to be increased from 12 years The repaint interval for one or more can be increased to 25 years or more The life-cycle cost for one or more is less than the present method
Abstract There are around 88,000 electricity towers, or pylons, in the UK. These towers are usually made of steel and require painting to ensure that the structures do not corrode. The towers need to be painted on a regular basis to ensure their suitability for the future. Network operators spend a significant amount of money painting and maintaining towers, usually on a twelve yearly basis with ‘Electricity Company Approved&rsquio; coatings. New coating systems could be adopted fairly quickly into Business as Usual (BaU) through tendered procurement specifications for painting companies if they meet the goals of ‘Electricity Company Approved’ specification, even if they do not meet the specifically referenced alkyd formulation. If they do not pass the tests then it is possible that they could still be adopted, but there may need to be risk assessments carried out or tweaks to the formulas, for instance if the slip resistance of the new coatings are less than desired, or if more rigorous surface preparation is required.Note : Project Documents may be available via the ENA Smarter Networks Portal using the Website link above
Publications (none)
Final Report (none)
Added to Database 17/12/18