As the electrical construction industry grows and adapts to the demand for renewable energy, smart technologies, sustainable solutions, technological advancements and regulatory initiatives, certain trends begin to emerge.

Countfire, a company that designs estimating software, and IAEI magazine, which is published by the nonprofit trade organization Independent Alliance of the Electrical Industry, both tracked the trends and forecast the future of the industry, with overlapping predictions for 2024 and beyond based on data and observation. 

Prefabrication

Popular in the construction industry, prefab has come to the electrical industry as a way to save money in materials, labor and estimating. Standardization of prefabricated components like panel builds and lighting packages can also reduce lead times.

Renewable energy integration

In the quest to meet sustainability goals, the demand for sustainably made components increases. For the electrical industry, this means developing grid interconnections for sharing and storing surplus energy from renewable sources, such as solar and wind. New technologies include tandem solar cells and perovskite-silicon tandem cells, and new materials, including organic photovoltaics and thin-film technologies. Bifacial solar panels are able to capture sunlight from the front and rear sides, increasing energy yield by collecting reflected sunlight from multiple surfaces.

EVs and infrastructure

In order to reduce carbon emissions, the transportation industry is embracing electric vehicles. This, in turn, requires accessible charging stations, advanced battery technology and a more robust electrical grid capable of handling increased demand.

Smart homes and the IoT

From doorbells and alarm systems to voice-recognition integration and artificial intelligence (A.I.), smart technology is infiltrating residential sectors, where it enables real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance, energy efficiency and better management of electrical systems. This year, there’s an expected increase in integration of A.I. for more adaptive and predictive building systems, data analytics and pattern recognition, making devices and systems more intelligent. Expanded use of digital twin technology, which creates a virtual replica of physical systems or processes, is also anticipated.

Cloud-based tools

Software, project management tools and cloud-based end-to-end automated estimation systems are increasingly popular, due in part to more remote work because they allow off-site collaboration.

Energy storage

Flow batteries store energy in liquid electrolytes, which is useful for large-scale energy storage applications. Scalable and long-lived, they’re a potential grid-level storage solution. Integration of different technologies is increasing as hybrid systems leverage the best of both. 

Regulatory changes

Stricter energy-efficiency regulations based on sustainability and carbon emissions reduction goals call for energy-efficient electrical systems and the use of renewable energy technologies. Mandatory energy performance certificates documenting a building’s energy efficiency may become more common.

Cybersecurity

The integration of smart technologies introduces added potential for cyberthreats such as grid disruption, data breaches, infrastructure damage and supply chain interruptions. More robust cybersecurity measures are expected to protect the reliability, safety and sustainability of power systems. A proactive approach to cybersecurity should include advanced encryption, network segmentation, continuous monitoring and employee training.

The role of the electrical inspector

Electrical inspectors must become knowledgeable about smart building technologies, automated systems, digital tools and data analysis in order to evaluate and approve electrical systems in modern structures.

Staffing issues

Staffing shortages are expected to continue, but demand for skilled workers won’t diminish. Apprenticeship programs and vocational education will remain popular methods of attracting a skilled labor force.