Taipower unveils top 10 electricity pylon designs

2015/12/23

Taiwan Power Co. revealed the winners of an inaugural electricity pylon design competition Dec. 21, underscoring the state-run utility’s commitment to reducing the visual impact of its transmission lines.

Ten designs beat out 23 other submissions to claim cash prizes totaling NT$520,000 (US$15,717). They were honored by Taipower President Chu Wen-chen during a ceremony in Taipei City.

Cheng Wen-cheng, assistant professor of multimedia design at New Taipei City-based Chihlee University of Technology, took first place and NT$100,000 with an entry shaped like a pine tree incorporating the bow and arrow of Taiwan’s indigenous Atayal tribe.

A regular winner of local design competitions, Cheng said his work is inspired by Austronesian cultural heritage and the natural beauty of Yilan County in northeastern Taiwan—the site for the pylons.

Equipped with solar-powered light-emitting diode, or LED, lighting, the structure doubles as an eye-catching beacon at night, Chen said, adding that he is thrilled to play a role in delivering electricity to Taiwan.

According to a Taipower official, while existing transmission towers are cost-effective, durable and relatively simple to construct and maintain, they are often viewed as visual eyesores by residents.

“The winners stood out for their ingenuity, feasibility and seamless integration with the environment, with half of them showing great potential for realization,” the official said.

“By employing artistic elements, the designs are breathing life into a mundane but essential structure,” the official said. ‘We expect to see at least one of the pylons up and running within three years.”

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=240489&ctNode=2194&mp=9)