Reducing the environmental impacts of power transmission lines

To successfully achieve the transition from a fossil fuel to a renewable energy–based society, new grids need to be built. Even though new infrastructure is necessary to transport renewably generated electricity to demand sites, it always comes with challenges: power lines can not only cause considerable damage on the environment, but also impact bird migration routes and vulnerable ecosystems. However, there are numerable examples of best practices and strategies that counteract these challenges and pursue environmentally friendly and socially acceptable grid development. This chapter explores some of the most relevant best practices in the field, including their drawbacks and advantages.