Transcript Are High Powered Tension Lines Necessary

Are High Tension
Power Lines
Necessary?
JALEEL STERLING
ASHLEY CARLONI
DAVID BERNHART
ELIZABETH ANDERSON
What are high powered tension
lines?

High powered tension is the bulk transfer of electrical energy, from
generating power plants to electrical substations located near
demand centers.
Types of transmission lines



Extra-high Voltage (230,000V and up)

More Efficient: Fewer losses will occur in a higher voltage transmission line
than a line with a lower voltage

“Bundled” conductors: In higher voltage lines multiple wires can be hung
from the same insulator, which increases the power carried by a single
circuit
Sub-transmission lines (69,000V-161,000V):

Used to transmit electrical energy between stations located close to one
another (less than 100 miles apart)

Typically do not carry as much energy as extra-high voltage lines
Distribution lines (13,800V-34,500V)

Transmit energy to its end use

Commercial facilities, small factories, small house transformers
Map of high powered tension lines
In the U.S.
Facts about high powered tension
lines

Use of high voltage direct current (HVDC) to transmit large amounts
of power from the generating station over long distances

Voltages vary from 138kV to 765kV

Radiate Powerful Electromagnetic fields (EMFs)

Electrical Field: the part of the EMFs that can be shielded.

Magnetic Field: the part of the EMFs that can penetrate stone, steel and
human flesh.

Both fields are invisible and perfectly silent.
Viewpoint #1
High Tension Power Lines are
harmful humans and the
environment
Negatives of high powered tension
lines

High powered lines form (EMF) Electric and Magnetic fields
EMF occur naturally and as a result of the Power generation, Power
Transmission, Power distribution and use of electric power.
EMF is fields of force and is created by electric voltage and current. They occur
around electrical devices or whenever power lines are energized
Magnetic fields: result from the motion of the electric charge or
current, such as when there is current flowing through a
power line or when an appliance is plugged in and turned on.
Appliances which are plugged in but not turned on do not
produce magnetic fields.
EMF Effects Human beings:
Long term Health Problem:
Short Term Health Problem:

Headaches

Risk of damaging DNA

Fatigue

Risk of Cancer

Anxiety

Risk of leukemia

Insomnia

Risk of Neurodegenerative disease

Prickling and/or burning skin

Risk of Miscarriage

Rashes

Muscle pain
How EMF effects you by distance
Negative Statistics

From the British Medical Journal: Researchers found the children living
within 650 feet of power lines had a 70% risk for leukemia than children
living 2,000 feet away or more.

From Epidemiology: Several studies have identified occupational
exposure to EMFs as a potential risk factor for neurodegenerative
diseases

From Epidemiology: There is “strong prospective evidence tat prenatal
magnetic exposure may be associated with miscarriage risk.”

From the Internal Medicine Journal: People who lived within 328 yards of
a power line up to age 5 were five times more likely o develop cancer
as an adult. People who lived within 328 yards of a power line up to age
15 were three times more likely to develop cancer as an adult.
EMF Effects on Agricultural lands
and farms

Transmission lines can affect farm operations and increase cost.

Most impact depends om the line design.

Transmission lines can affect:


Field operations

Irrigation

Aerial spraying

Wind breaks
Hinder future consolidation of farm fields or subdividing land for
residential development.
Viewpoint #2
High Tension Power Lines are more
efficient and not proven to be
harmful
There is no real evidence to support
the causation of cancer

Scientists that claim the EMFs from high tension power lines cause
cancer have found correlations but no true evidence to prove that
living near these transmission lines actually causes cancer

Many studies contradict each other

This is likely to be a long-term disagreement between scientists with
no real conclusion in the near future
Lower Radiation Frequency than
household appliances
Efficiency

Wires on more efficient high-voltage power lines do not get as hot,
which results in substantially lower electricity losses in the process of
moving power into communities.

Lower losses between generation sources and load centers mean a
reduction in the required electricity output needed to transport
power and meet demand.
Efficiency Chart
Our Viewpoint
High Tension Power Lines are
necessary!
Why high tension power lines are
necessary

High demand for electrical energy

Without them, generation would have to take place near or where
the energy is used

Low voltage power lines result in great losses during transmission

High tension power lines transport large amounts of electrical power
over long distances
.Our Opinion

Burying High Voltage Power Lines:

When compared to overhead high voltage power lines, underground
lines are:

Safer

More friendly on the environment

More Reliable

More efficient

More cost effective

And have less impact on:

Health

Property devaluation
Sources:

http://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.cfm?id=8930

http://www.iject.org/vol4/spl1/c0047.pdf

http://www.bpa.gov/news/pubs/GeneralPublications/lusi-Powerlines-and-crops-can-be-good-neighbors.pdf

http://psc.wi.gov/thelibrary/publications/electric/electric10.pdf