Composite Utility Poles Help Expand Power Grid

• Published in: Civil engineering (New York, N.Y. 1983) Vol. 79; no. 6; p. 34
• Main Author: Shuster, Laurie A
• Format: Magazine Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York American Society of Civil Engineers 01.06.2009
• Subjects: Electric power lines; Electric utilities; Polymer matrix composites; United States > US
• ISSN: 2381-0688; 0885-7024; 2381-0688
• DOI: 10.1061/ciegag.0000603

As utilities seek to replace aging transmission and distribution poles and keep pace with new residential and commercial developments, some are turning to a potentially longer-lasting pole that also requires less maintenance. Scott Smith, manager, apparatus engineering, Southern California Edison, Rosemead, CA, says his utility has deployed composite poles instead of wooden ones to support lines carrying 34,500 V or less, the voltage typically required for residential areas, in locations where wooden poles have unusually short service lives. Smith says that because the poles are lighter than those made with other materials, they are ideal for use in national forests, where the most environmentally benign method of delivery is by helicopter.