For power and utility projects, owners and contractors naturally focus on the critical components that drive a facility’s operations—turbines, generators, and other essential equipment. These core elements are the heart of power generation, demanding close attention to keep the project on track.
However, the functional supporting structures, including warehouses and facilities for administrative, control, and maintenance functions, play an equally important role in a well-rounded facility. A wide variety of building systems – from steel to precast to masonry – are used based on the location and use of the facility.
As demand for alternative energy and supporting structures grows, owners and designers are revisiting their standard approach, increasingly adopting prefabrication to take much of the construction work off-site. This approach allows key project phases to proceed without interference from other crews since prefabricated structures can be assembled simultaneously. Also, with prefabrication’s expanding capabilities—like integrated windows, inlaid architectural features, and insulation—general contractors benefit from fewer points of contact for a streamlined construction process.
Prefabricated solutions for diverse utility building needs.
The applications of prefabrication in power and utility projects are diverse, reflecting the unique demands and priorities of each facility type. Whether enhancing architectural aesthetics, accelerating construction timelines, or providing robust durability, prefabrication is a versatile solution that can be tailored to meet specific project goals.
Prefabrication for Substations
For example, during a recent project in the Denver area, a contractor built a prefabricated architectural shield wall to block a substation from the view of the urban neighborhood in which it resides. Or at the site of a new ComEd substation in Hoffman Estates, IL—constructed to support the Chicago area’s expanding data center network—a prefabricated building provides a sealed, insulated environment to house critical electrical equipment and operational office space.
Prefabrication for Operational Centers
Designers are also leaning into the aesthetics of precast for power and utility office operational centers. A prefabricated operations center at Mille Lacs Energy Cooperative in central Minnesota— to serve as the company’s headquarters and operations base— features a distinctive glazed thin brick veneer in white and gray tones, giving it a modern, polished appearance. It also combines acid etch, sandblast and water wash finishes to achieve a cohesive look with added depth.
And a new service center in Chanhassen, MN—to support various operational needs of a national energy company— showcases a clean, modern aesthetic achieved through a combination of white and charcoal panels with acid-etched finishes and reveals. The entire building envelope was constructed with architectural insulated wall panels, ensuring a durable and energy-efficient envelope.
Utility Service Center, Chanhassen, MN
Learn more about this project here.
Prefabrication for Utility Fleet Storage
Maintenance facilities and fleet storage areas are also essential components of utility building needs, requiring careful consideration of durability and structural design. A major nationwide utility company required a state-of-the-art maintenance and fleet storage facility in Grand Forks, ND. The facility uses durable prefabricated panels throughout the building’s structure, providing the strength needed to withstand the wear and tear of truck maintenance and storage activities.
Utility Service Center, Grand Forks, ND
Learn more about this project here.
When is a precast building solution not the right solution?
Prefabrication is not always the best solution; for example, when facilities are built in remote locations far from the nearest precast manufacturing facility, other materials might be more readily available. There are also times when the schedule isn’t a priority, and precast may not bring enough value to the project.
If you’re unsure if prefabrication is the best answer for the project, connect with a prefabrication engineer. They can support the project in a design-assist capacity that creates a structure that affordably utilizes architectural and structural prefabricated elements throughout the facility— key factors in delivering a successful, budget-friendly solution that meets long-term operational needs.
Leveraging these experts and their understanding of the entire process, from conception to erection, can navigate the best application and use of a prefabricated system.
