Opinion: AI and its role as peacemaker in pylon politics

Pylons – the energy sector’s equivalent of marmite. For some members of the public, they are iconic structures, celebrated by pylon appreciation societies and even ‘pylon of the month’ websites with cult followings. For others, they are an eyesore that negatively impacts rural landscapes and communities. These polarised views are mirrored in political discourse. 

On one side Sir Keir Starmer argues that pylons are essential for economic growth, and Energy Secretary Ed Miliband frames the renewable energy transition as a ‘national security fight’ hindered by ‘blockers’ and 'NIMBYs.’ On the other hand, we have the formation of anti-pylon action groups, local councils uniting in opposition, and Green MPs calling for a pause on pylon building.

Bridging perspectives

Opposition to new infrastructure is often depicted as a resistance to progress. As a result, those who oppose pylons can be unfairly portrayed as regressive or unreasonable. But this overlooks the fact that most of their concerns are entirely legitimate – from the impact on house prices to the effects on ecosystems and the preservation of natural beauty.

Constructive conversations have to come from a place of understanding and common ground. After all, most people want to live in a greener world. But realising that shared goal means addressing genuine anxieties. Dismissing these concerns only deepens distrust and resentment among communities who already feel their concerns are not being taken seriously. We’ve seen this in places like Lincolnshire and Essex where residents have been left feeling like their voices simply aren’t being heard. They are being asked to shoulder the burden of new infrastructure while the long-term benefits of net-zero remain poorly communicated. 

Data as dialogue

Rather than engaging with these communities, we risk alienating them entirely. Pylons may be sparking more heated debates lately, but they’re hardly a new phenomenon. There are already more than 90,000 dotting our skylines. Years of data gathering means we should be able to dispel fears more effectively. For instance, a recent report on the Beauly-Denny electricity transmission line, which became operational in 2015, shows that house prices have risen in line with broader trends, unaffected by new infrastructure. This ought to encourage us to engage in more productive conversations about pylons, acknowledging concerns but also addressing them with real-world examples and data. 

We also know from our own external polling that the British public is twice as likely to accept new pylons within a two-minute walk from their home if they're told they would unlock access to more sustainable energy. Support goes up, opposition goes down when the gains are green – it’s a case of communicating the virtues. 

Interestingly, a third of the public remains neutral towards the installation of new pylons. This neutrality offers hope that while extremes may dominate the debate, there is a significant segment of the population that is open to considering the benefits of new infrastructure.

Tech meets transmission

But even if pylon opposition disappeared overnight, we can’t escape the fact that building new infrastructure is costly and time intensive. With hundreds of renewable projects languishing in grid backlogs, every moment counts. This is where innovative solutions come into play. By leveraging advancements in technology, like digital modelling and artificial intelligence, we can explore alternatives that ease community concerns and improve the efficiency of our existing energy infrastructure at the same time. 

AI and digital modelling technologies can enhance the capacity of existing power lines by performing advanced line rating analyses. Line rating has traditionally been a manual process, where engineers assess power lines in the field, limiting visibility and potentially overlooking available capacity. AI changes this by analysing vast amounts of data, including LiDAR, imagery, and geospatial information, to provide a comprehensive view of the grid.

Doubling down on existing infrastructure

This enables utilities to identify underutilised capacity that can safely accommodate additional renewable energy connections, reducing the need for new pylons. Neara's digital modelling of an Australian utility serving one million customers found that it could double its network capacity, without requiring any new infrastructure.

This technology not only aids in connecting more renewable energy sources without the environmental impact of new pylons but also enhances the maintenance of our ageing infrastructure. With AI’s ability to predict and manage potential risks, utilities can better protect their assets and bolster the resilience of the grid. With more robust infrastructure, we can respond to the challenges posed by climate change and growing energy demands, whilst minimising the need for additional construction. 

AI stands to be a real peacemaker in pylon politics. There’s so much we could be doing to bridge the divide between the pro and anti-pylon camps, but ultimately some minds will never change, and some opposition is too deep-set. Pylons are a necessity, but their deployment doesn’t have to overwhelm our countryside or communities. With a strategic approach guided by digital modelling techniques, we can save energy – in every sense of the word. 

Taco Engelaar, SVP at Neara