Tower Options
 New Lattice Tower (To be recommended) |
 Original Lattice Tower |
 Monopole Tower |
Throughout the design phase of the towers, the Heartland Project Team considered several alternatives, including lattice, tubular, and monopole options. In the early stages of the Heartland project, a design of the double-circuit lattice tower (as shown in our January 2010 newsletter) was a preferred option. This design would have allowed one circuit operating at 240 kV and the other circuit at 500 kV. This requirement has been revisited as the Heartland Project is now to operate both circuits at 500 kV from the outset.
A revised and lower-cost design (new lattice tower) that is about 10 to 13 metres taller, but about 15 metres narrower, and which uses approximately 30% less steel is now possible, and will be recommended in our Facility Application.
In addition to the proposed new lattice tower, we are providing information in our Facility Application about a monopole structure. Monopole towers have been used in high-density areas as these structures can be perceived to have a lower visual impact than lattice towers in these settings. (See July 2010 newsletter). The monopole tower will be included in our Facility Application as another potential option to reduce visual impact within the 20-km section of the East TUC.