After years of relatively flat growth, electricity demand in the U.S. is surging. Experts predict continued growth, driven by factors ranging from electric vehicles and data centers to smart homes and industrial innovation. Individuals and businesses are finding new ways to plug in all around us, and the pace of change is picking up fast.
Key Drivers of Surging Electricity Demand
Artificial intelligence (AI) and data centers: With the growth of AI technology, cloud computing, and data-intensive technologies, electrical consumption by data centers has become a massive driver of new demand. As these facilities expand and evolve, they require increasingly robust and reliable power solutions to meet operational needs.
Electrification of transportation: As consumers adopt electric vehicles (EVs), the grid must accommodate a new, significant charging load. Utilities and manufacturers are now collaborating to expand charging infrastructure to meet this rapid transformation.
Industrial Growth & Incentives: A resurgence in domestic manufacturing and industrial electrification, along with incentives to switch from fossil fuels, is affecting electricity demand. As new plants and facilities come online, the grid faces increasing pressure to deliver reliable, scalable power.
Challenges Faced by Utility Manufacturers
Utility providers face new challenges as electricity demand increases. They must upgrade aging infrastructure to support electric vehicles, data centers, and industrial growth. They’re developing flexible solutions to meet current needs and prepare for the future.
Reliability is still a big challenge, especially as we use more power and need a stable supply. Manufacturers must provide durable materials and parts that can handle changing loads and complex systems. Efficiency and sustainability have become top priorities. Achieving regulatory standards, responding to incentives to cut carbon emissions, and integrating renewable energy sources all depend on flexible manufacturing processes. Utility manufacturers need to maintain low costs while increasing production. Customers demand high-quality, custom-made metal parts from a reliable, long-term source.
O’Neal Manufacturing Services Provides Solutions for the Power Grid
At OMS, we work closely with utility manufacturers to provide custom metal fabrication solutions for the energy sector. Our specialized metal fabrication capabilities deliver superior quality, scalability, and production efficiency to keep pace with power grid demands. Located in Pittsburgh, PA, our 200,000 sq. ft. facility is built to handle large-scale manufacturing, fabricated components, subassemblies, and weldments.
Precision Fabrication O’Neal Manufacturing Services offers significant capacity and manufacturing redundancies. In addition to Peddinghaus, featuring fast drilling, constant throughput, vibration control, and CNC technology, OMS Pittsburgh provides a wide range of capabilities for multi-step fabrications and welded assemblies.
- Laser Cutting: Our state-of-the-art laser cutting systems deliver clean, precise cuts across various steel profiles, ensuring your transformer and breaker components meet the tightest tolerances.
- Angle Master: Utilizing CNC angle lines, we produce segments of angle and bar stock quickly and without manual drilling. Angle Master technology efficiently processes angles, supporting brackets, busbar frames, and more.
- Machining: Large-capacity CNC milling centers and high-speed milling and boring machines easily process long workpieces. With an extra-large work bead measuring 195″ x 47.2″, our Annihilator Quickmill provides multi-angle machining and simultaneous 5-axis contouring, ideally suited for long parts and weldments such as bases for generators in the energy sector.
- Forming & Bending: From simple to complex, our press brakes can form parts greater than 20’ long and 1” thick. Our TRUMPF TruBend 8010 brings efficiency improvements to your products.
- Welding: Comprehensive welding systems maximize production efficiency for significant savings to your supply chain. Our robotic welding cells scan, position, and weld parts with repeatable accuracy for increased output. Certified welders ensure fabricated parts are well-made, tested, and structurally sound.
- Oxy Fuel Cutting: From simple shapes to complex parts, oxy fuel cutting can cut almost all grades of carbon and alloy steel plate. OMS provides detailed solutions for semi-finished parts through beveling, machining, punching, drilling, forming processes, and more.
- Plasma Cutting: Used to cut medium to heavy thickness metals, high-definition plasma cutting provides tolerance control and repeatability for carbon steel materials, stainless steel, and aluminum parts in the 2” thickness range.
Our comprehensive manufacturing services make sure your large energy projects are built to meet high standards. We use precise laser cutting and advanced CNC machines that handle long, complex parts. Our automated tools, like the Peddinghaus structural steel drill line, Angle Master, and robotic welders, help us produce consistent quality quickly and efficiently. With skilled forming, bending, and cutting specialists, O’Neal Manufacturing Services creates customized steel solutions that support safe and reliable power systems.
Advanced Manufacturing Increases Grid Reliability
O’Neal Manufacturing Services produces long-lasting, quality parts for the power generation industry. We partner with original equipment manufacturers through a collaborative approach, a comprehensive fabrication process, and a commitment to on-time delivery.
Structural integrity and durability are essential for power grid components, such as transmission towers, substations, transformers, and support frameworks. The fabrication process demands precision, expertise, and advanced technology to meet the stringent standards required for power grid applications. Substations, where high-voltage electricity is converted to lower voltages, use heavy steel fabrication to house critical components. The strength of steel plates provides a secure environment for transformers and switchgear. Heavy steel plates are integral in building transmission towers that withstand extreme weather conditions and heavy electrical loads. The robustness of these towers ensures the consistent delivery of electricity over vast distances.
Integrated Supply Chain Solutions from OMS
OMS Pittsburgh stands out for its capacity to handle high-volume runs that cater to the market’s changing needs. Our experienced team oversees the whole process, from sourcing to shipping, allowing you to concentrate on your core operations.
As a key player in the steel supply chain, OMS Pittsburgh leverages our national purchasing power to secure materials, reduce costs, and mitigate supply disruptions. Our management of raw material supply offers a multifaceted approach to control material costs from the mills and manage inventory when you need it most. This position is a unique customer advantage and ensures timely delivery, consistent quality, and competitive pricing for every project.
O’Neal Manufacturing Services produces durable, high-quality components for the power generation industry. By leveraging our manufacturing expertise and supply chain risk management, our customers can confidently improve the grid. Let OMS power your upcoming project and keep your supply chain strong and reliable, no matter what the future holds.