The future of automobiles is electric, and there’s no denying that the future of this technology is now.

The statistics speak for themselves. According to Greencars.com, sales of all-electric vehicles in the United States surpassed 4 million in 2021, with an additional 2.4 million plug-in hybrids now traversing our country’s roads. From a global perspective, electric vehicle sales were up 98 percent from 2020. And for those who watched this year’s Super Bowl (and the commercials as well), you probably recall how electric vehicles took center stage, with seven automobile manufacturers represented.

As Nick Nigro, head of the research group Atlas Public Policy, told Vox, “We’re in the early stages of the biggest transition in the auto industry since the car was first invented.” This transition is also impacting the sources of power for these vehicles, which in many places of our country are (or will soon be) rural electric cooperatives and municipal utility providers.

INFRASTRUCTURE CHALLENGES

While the shift to electric vehicles continues at break-neck speed, infrastructure capabilities have not kept pace in many locales, which could result in delays in providing adequate charging stations and equipment. According to a recent Wall Street Journal article, the U.S. power system is faltering as millions of more Americans are becoming more dependent on it. The article went on to state the grid is also undergoing the largest transformation in history, with natural gas-fired plants displacing coal-fired and nuclear generators and the addition of wind and solar technologies rivaling traditional power sources in many markets.

Another major infrastructure concern is aging equipment. According to the American Society of Civil Engineers, 70 percent of transmission and distribution lines are past the halfway mark of their 50-year lifespans.

These factors, along with regulations that attempt to further the rate of build-out renewable energy, mandates to reduce and eliminate carbon emissions, and unpredictable and oftentimes severe weather patterns, are placing added pressure to the country’s energy grid.

And these concerns will undoubtedly impact the ability for utilities to continue to deliver an increasing need for electric power, while at the same time foster the growth of new technologies and products to enable rural electric cooperatives and municipalities to meet these growing needs.

RESCO’S ROLE

As a partner of electric cooperatives and municipal utility providers in the Upper Midwest since 1936, we always have a pulse on the latest technology and equipment for the energy sector. In turn, this enables us to work with our manufacturer partners to offer the necessary materials to our members and customers. Regarding electric vehicles specifically, we’ve partnered with ZEF Energy to meet the needs of both our members and the CHARGE EV group.

And just like other businesses and organizations nationwide, we’re readying our facilities to accommodate the future charging needs of electric vehicle owners. Recently, we installed a ZEF Energy ZEFNET PRO-80 dual port charger at our soon-to-be-opened office and warehouse in Elkhart, IA.

As the growth of electric vehicle ownership continues to increase, RESCO will play an important role in helping utilities deliver the power their members and customers need for their vehicles.

As we begin a new year, our industry continues to face the challenges of inflation, supply chain disruptions, inventory shortages, and extended lead times. We are not alone. Logistical bottlenecks in the global supply chain are impacting many sectors of the economy. And while some experts predict a positive correction in 2022, it’s important for utilities to prepare for—and be cognizant of—continued interruptions in product acquisition and delivery.

The Impact of Inflation

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the country’s rate of inflation increased at its fastest pace in nearly 40 years last month, up 7 percent from the previous December.

The utility industry is experiencing the impact of inflation at an even higher percentage.

The inflation rate on the basket of electric utility products RESCO distributes (distribution and transmission products) averaged about 10 percent in 2021. In other words, every product RESCO sells, the cost from the manufacturer of that product rose by 10% on average from January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2021. Like every industry impacted by inflation, this increase was entirely out of our hands and not specific to RESCO or our specific manufacturers.

The ripple effects of the current high inflation rate are occurring nationwide. RESCO members/customers, and all of the utilities around the country, have lost 10 percent of their buying power; in other words, if an electric utility in 2022 plans to buy or build at the same level as they did in 2021, the costs will be 10-percent higher. That sort of inflation can really take a large bite out of any utility’s work plan dollars.

Extended Lead Times on Many Products

Just as inflation is impacting utility budgeting and spending limitations, lead times are proving to be another challenge for utilities and manufacturers alike. They remain extended on many products, but single-phase and three-phase transformer lead times are the most concerning, as you can’t put in new electric service without a transformer. Essentially, production at the North American transformer manufacturers is maxed out for 2022 due to record demand.

Additionally, many transformer manufacturers are on an allocation with their customers, which means that they’re allocating a set amount of production—and no more—to their distributors and customers. While many are doing this to try and take care of as many customers as possible, it’s almost certain that the total demand from all customers will not be met.

Additionally, other products experiencing extended lead times include:

• Primary and secondary conductors
• Fiberglass enclosures.
• Certain day-to-day type of items, such as anchoring.

Fortunately, RESCO is effectively managing these challenges by carrying a record amount of inventory. This gives our members and customers the peace-of-mind that they can count on us for their product needs. (Keep in mind, however, that RESCO has a limited number of transformers in stock, and this will likely be the case for the remainder of 2022 due to record demand and limited supply.)

In addition to our inventory reserves, we’re also helping our members stay within their purchasing budgets by maintaining product pricing, thanks to our non-profit cooperative model. When demand increases, for-profit companies typically increase their pricing to maximize their margins. RESCO does not, which makes us the ideal partner for utilities’ product needs.

Communication is Key

Despite the difficulties utilities face regarding product inventory and purchasing, there are ways to minimize the impact on their own operations.

Above all, communication is key, as it’s the one factor that all utility providers can control and manage. Effective and regular communication to all stakeholders can go a long way to ensuring up-to-date product and delivery status and realistic expectations.

To accomplish this, RESCO recommends all utilities focus on ensuring effective communication with the following stakeholders:

1. Internal personnel. Make sure your utility’s purchasing department is talking to your operations and engineering departments, which will help ensure a very clear understanding of upcoming projects and material needs. Conversely, these departments will need delivery updates from the purchasing department on product lead times and material availability when planning projects.
2. Developers and commercial members. If a commercial development is being planned, the developers need to fully understand that lead times on products—such as transformers—have been greatly extended, and the expected timelines to get electrical service finalized (i.e., getting a three-phase transformer in place) might take much longer than “normal” years.
3. Suppliers. Electric utilities should work closely with their suppliers and review their upcoming projects with them, so they can keep up to date on lead times and material availability.

In addition to effective communication, here’s a checklist to consider incorporating into your utility’s planning operations:

Ensure that all of your major capital expenditures orders—transformers, conductors, fiberglass/metal enclosures and other major materials—have been placed for 2022.

Make sure your operations, management, and board personnel are aware of the significant price inflation. This will help ensure that work plan budgets are adjusted accordingly.

Consider carrying more inventory for the next year or two to better insulate your utility in the case of unexpected storms or continued supply chain disruptions.

Communicate, communicate, and communicate even more. Not to sound like a broken record, but regular communication with suppliers, members/customers and developers will help you establish realistic expectations on lead times for completing new or upgraded electrical service.

Don’t let supply chain disruptions leave you feeling powerless. Consider the information and tips above when planning and managing your current and future purchases and projects.