The Current Renewables Industry Landscape
Total renewable industry growth was down in 2022 vs. 2021 due to permitting issues and rising project costs, however, key players within the industry are currently lobbying Congress alongside major oil and gas corporations in the hopes of streamlining restrictive permitting processes.
In terms of investment, US energy transition spending is the second largest in the world (to China). The renewable energy market, including solar and wind power, accounts for a substantial portion of total investment.
By 2050 renewable energy is expected to manage more than 40% of the country’s electricity, more than double what it manages today.
Speed is key for new projects within the sector, as fears loom that the transition to clean energy isn’t happening fast enough to outpace the negative impacts of climate change.
As renewable energy continues to become more affordable for end users, the industry is expected to continue to grow, largely fueled by expanded production and consumption of solar and wind energies.
Challenges Facing The Industry
Renewable projects can include more involved installation. Complex installations — including open trench excavation, buried duct banks and use of conduit spacers, underground burial of cable-filled conduit, concrete encased duct bank and running multiple circuits — mean specifying the right electrical conduit for the job is critical to project success. The team at Champion Fiberglass has 35 years experience in guiding projects to a successful completion.
The renewable industry has not escaped the supply chain issues that have plagued other sectors in recent years. As new projects go up some common challenges include long lead times and limited supplies of some types of conduit. Throughout the pandemic and beyond, Champion Fiberglass RTRC conduit has remained consistently available with short lead times to help keep large-scale utilities, transportation and infrastructure projects on track.
Electrical Conduit Requirements for Renewables Industry and Utilities Projects
In order to protect transmission lines to the local grid electrical conduit must be rigorously strong and durable. As many in both the public and private sectors are being impacted by inflation, identifying potential savings on materials and labor (without sacrificing strength) is more important than ever.
Electrical conduit must be lightweight and easy to maneuver in trenches, as well as have a broad temperature range to tolerate environmental shifts in temperature. Custom bends can be especially helpful for projects that require significant trenching and other similar challenges.
Additionally, Champion Fiberglass offers mechanical and dielectric strength to protect dense cabling within.
Why Champion Fiberglass?
Champion Fiberglass helps engineers and project managers Do MoreⓇ by supplying durable, lightweight conduit quickly. The potential cost savings on both materials and labor when specifying RTRC (fiberglass conduit) vs. PVC-SCH 40, PVC-SCH 80, GRC, aluminum or stainless steel can be huge. Check out just how much you could save on your next project with the Champion Fiberglass Electrical Conduit Calculator.
Recent Renewables Project Success
Champion Fiberglass conduit has been used in both solar and wind farm applications.
Learn more about how fiberglass conduit benefited an underground burial application in a Virginia solar farm.
Download the case study to learn how Champion Fiberglass conduit is protecting cabling for New York’s first offshore wind farm.
To purchase RTRC conduit elbows today, reach out to your local Rep.
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