Ocracoke Island site is an ideal proving ground for superior strength, durability, and performance of composite utility poles in harsh coastal environments
(STATESVILLE, NC – January 14, 2016) – Highland Composites has announced the first installation of its Intelli- Pole® composite utility pole on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. The pole was put into service on Ocracoke Island by Tideland EMC, an electric utility cooperative, to test its performance for use in a grid hardening effort for critical coastal infrastructure. Highland Composites provided comprehensive installation support at the site.
Wind-rated to over 180 MPH, the Intelli-Pole® readily exceeds a new requirement at Tideland EMC that its utility poles be able to withstand winds of 132 MPH, the top wind speed for a Category 3 hurricane.
The lightweight, modular design of the Intelli-Pole® is ideal for remote sites such as Ocracoke Island, which is accessible only by ferry. The Intelli-Pole® is easily transported in the bed of a pickup truck because no segment is longer than 13 ft. or weighs more than 280 lbs.
In coastal regions, utility poles suffer the corrosive effects of salt-air, humidity, UV, and acid rain. To defeat these threats, the Intelli-Pole® is constructed from electrical grade corrosion resistant (E-CR) fiberglass and vinyl ester resin with integrated UV protection to provide a corrosion-free, rot-free solution.
The high strength-to-weight ratio of the Intelli-Pole® withstands extreme stress loads generated by severe weather that can cause conventional poles to fail, leading to pole cascading and power outages that are disruptive, dangerous, and costly. The Intelli-Pole® is an excellent choice for storm restoration — easy to load, rapid to install, with truly interchangeable sections that allow replacement of damaged segments only.
