Powering the future of manufacturing as energy demand grows

In a recent episode of Plugged In: Exploring Energy, host April Kreller, director of associations at Constellation, spoke with manufacturing leader Mark Denzler, president and CEO of the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association, about the rapid evolution in manufacturing. Two standout examples they discussed were the machining of Orion spacecraft parts for NASA’s recent Artemis II moon mission and 3D-printed astronaut training pods. Examples like these highlight the ways in which innovation is shaping the future of manufacturing.

Indeed, modern manufacturing facilities are increasingly smart, efficient and sustainable. Automation, digital tools and AI are accelerating productivity at a pace that would have seemed unimaginable just a generation ago. But this level of performance depends on securing reliable, affordable energy.

Managing Growing Energy Demand

As manufacturing grows, energy demand grows with it. Supporting that demand requires a balanced mix of energy solutions — nuclear power, renewables, natural gas, storage and emerging tech — working together to ensure reliability, affordability and resilience.

Within that mix, each energy solution contributes in different ways. Nuclear energy provides dependable emissions-free baseload power, with natural gas and other dispatchable resources also helping to maintain 24/7 grid stability. Meanwhile, renewable power sources such as wind and solar expand the clean energy mix, with battery storage and carbon capture technologies offering promise for the future. Supporting all these resources: Investments in transmission infrastructure and energy efficiency programs that help businesses manage consumption and keep operations running reliably.

Supporting Continued Manufacturing Growth

In the past, manufacturers famously came together to reach major milestones — think: space exploration. Today, that same level of coordination is needed to keep progress moving here on Earth. The path forward requires that we continue to use the right mix of energy sources, technology and innovation to support manufacturers as they endeavor to run day-to-day operations as efficiently as possible. Manufacturers, energy providers, labor organizations, policymakers and communities all have a role to play in building a reliable energy future that supports economic growth and sustainability.

The challenge — and opportunity — is ensuring the continued investment and focus necessary to support the energy infrastructure across industry to power it.