Pylons: Symbol of the Midwest

Hello from Midwest Muse! I hope y'all had a relaxing spring break and are ready to read this week's blog! I've been really into electricity poles, pylons, and windmills since last summer, and I deeply associate all three with the Midwest. There is something fascinating about the contrast between these tall industrial structures and the flat, expansive Midwestern landscape. Today, I am focusing on pylons, because I visited a valley full of them this spring break! I have also included some photos I took.

What Even Are Pylons?

Let's start with a quick overview of what pylons are. While I'm 100% sure all of you know what they look like, some may not know their purpose or how they function. Pylons are tall lattice structures, usually made of steel, that support overhead powerlines to transport electricity from a power source to electricity substations. They are also known as transmission towers because they support the transportation of electricity over long distances. However, they do not directly distribute electricity to our homes.

The Electricity Flow

I am sure that I lost you all at "electricity substations," but stick with me. This will all make sense, I promise. To better understand the role of pylons in the electricity transportation process, here is a breakdown of how electricity is moved from a power source to our homes.

1. Electricity is first generated at a power source at a low voltage. A few examples of power sources are wind farms, solar farms, and power plants.

2. The voltage of the generated electricity is increased by a transformer. This minimizes power loss when the electricity travels long distances to the substations.

3. Electricity travels to substations through powerlines held up by pylons. The average transmission voltage in the United States is 230,000 volts to 500,000 volts - over 1,000 times higher than the voltage we use in our homes.

4. The voltage is decreased by transformers at substations. This is because electricity at a lower voltage is much safer and more practical for homes and businesses.

5. Electricity then travels through powerlines held up by distribution poles, more commonly known as electricity poles or utility poles, to residential areas.

6. Electricity then flows through a transformer drum, which can be mistaken for an electricity pole. The transformer drum lowers the voltage again for use in homes.

7. When electricity reaches a home, it flows through an electrical panel, which distributes electricity to outlets and circuits.

   
   

The flow of electricity from power source to homes. Sourced from the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

Why Are Pylons So Common in the Midwest?

Now that we know what pylons are and their role in the transportation of electricity, let's dive into why they are so common in the Midwest and why I consider them to be a symbol of the region.

First, a quick disclaimer: pylons are not only present in the Midwest. Pylons are used throughout the United States and in other countries, including Ireland, China, Canada, and Scandinavia. However, because of the Midwest's geographical placement and its grassland biome, pylons are highly visible and frequently encountered here.

The Midwest, located in the heart of the country, plays a central role in the transportation of goods and energy. It serves as a connection point for much of the United States, linking many other regions together. This makes it an ideal place for major transportation routes, like Route 66 and the I-90 and I-80 interstates. Because of its location, electricity also is transported long distances through the region, which is why pylons are so prominent and abundant.

Map of the transmission grid in the United States. A high percentage of electricity at high voltages travels through the Midwest. Sourced from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Not only is the location of the region why pylons are so common, but its biome plays a large role in their visibility. The Midwest is mainly made up of grassland, and it is a very flat region compared to the rest of the country. Therefore, pylons, some as tall as 150 feet, are easily visible above cornfields, tall grass, trees, and small hills.

I consider pylons to be a symbol of the Midwest because they represent what the Midwest is to the majority of the United States: a region of transportation, a region that most people drive through to get somewhere else. Electricity is transported through the Midwest to power other regions, and pylons are the vessels that make it possible. In addition, because pylons are so visible in the Midwest, you see them almost everywhere. In my mind, this allows them to be a good representation of the region. Lastly, I just think pylons are so cool, and they are a good example of how nature and industry contrast, one of the many reasons I love the Midwest so much.

Happy April Fool's Day, see you next week, and, like always, I leave you with some photos!

Photo of me in front of a long valley of pylons! Taken by Karissa Mirek.

Taken by Eli Mirek.

Taken by Eli Mirek.

Taken by Eli Mirek.