Power Industry Is Growing Faster Than Anyone Expected | Drew Welton, Intellirent

Power Industry Is Growing Faster Than Anyone Expected | Drew Welton, Intellirent

by Drew Welton, Intellirent

Applied Sciences & Engineering Economics & Finance KNBEnergy industries and utilitiesKNBLElectrical power generation and distribution industries
🎙 Drew Welton, Intellirent 👥 556 📅 June 8, 2026 ⏱ 18 min 👁 70 📄 expert opinion 🧭 2026-08-16
Available in: English (current) Français

Keywords

power industry growthworkforce crisiselectrical testing equipmentIEEE Transformers Committeedata center power demand

Summary

In this interview at the 2026 IEEE PES T&D Show, Drew Welton, VP of Business & Technical Development at Intellirent, discusses the unprecedented growth in the power industry, driven largely by data center demand. He notes that 40% of Intellirent’s rental business now goes to data center projects, and the company has experienced 30% year-over-year growth, up from 10-15% post-COVID. To meet this demand, Intellirent invested over $20 million in new fleet assets and opened a new facility in Phoenix. Welton highlights the workforce crisis, with NETA Level 2 technicians being lured away by high salaries and sign-on bonuses, and the industry’s struggle to attract new talent. He introduces NETA’s new apprenticeship program, which aims to recruit high school graduates directly into the trade. Welton also discusses Intellirent’s 24/7 customer support and the importance of technical expertise across multiple manufacturers. He explains the role of the IEEE Transformers Committee in developing and updating standards, noting that it takes 3-4 years to update a standard and that the committee meets twice a year with around 650 attendees. The interview concludes with Welton emphasizing the collaborative nature of standards development and the value of industry involvement.

194 words

Critical Evaluation

Value of the Information & Strength of the Argument

The video provides valuable insights into the current state of the power industry, particularly the surge in demand due to data centers and the resulting workforce challenges. Welton’s arguments are based on his direct experience and industry involvement, lending practical credibility. He effectively illustrates the growth with specific figures (e.g., 30% growth, $20 million investment) and explains the implications for equipment rental and workforce development. However, the argumentation is largely anecdotal and promotional, lacking broader data or independent sources to support the claims. The discussion of the IEEE Transformers Committee offers a useful overview of standards development, but it remains at a high level without delving into technical specifics.

Scientific Rigor, Source Quality, Title Accuracy

The video is an expert opinion piece, and its scientific rigor is moderate. The speaker is a seasoned industry professional, and his involvement in NETA and IEEE committees adds authority. However, no specific studies or data are cited, and the information is presented from a company perspective. The title accurately reflects the content, focusing on the industry’s growth and challenges. The video includes a promotional segment for Intellirent, but it is integrated into the discussion rather than being a separate advertisement. Overall, the sources are limited to the speaker’s expertise and the company’s website, which are not independently verified.

223 words

Title / Content Match

The title accurately reflects the content, which focuses on the rapid growth of the power industry and the challenges it faces, as discussed by Drew Welton.

Quality & Reliability

7/10

The video presents an industry insider's perspective on the power industry's growth, workforce challenges, and standards development. The information is based on the speaker's extensive experience and involvement in NETA and IEEE committees, lending credibility. However, it is largely anecdotal and promotional, lacking independent verification or data sources.

Chapters

Cited Sources

Concurring Sources

  • IEEE PES Transformers Committee — Official website of the IEEE Transformers Committee, which develops standards for transformers, as discussed in the video.
  • NETA Standards — NETA standards for electrical testing and maintenance, relevant to the technician training and certification mentioned.

Contribution & Novelties

The video offers a unique insider perspective on the power industry’s rapid growth and the associated workforce challenges, particularly the shortage of skilled technicians. It highlights the role of equipment rental companies in supporting this growth and the importance of industry standards development. The discussion of NETA’s apprenticeship program and the IEEE Transformers Committee provides valuable insights into how the industry is addressing these challenges.

Pour aller plus loin :

  • IEEE Power & Energy Society — The society behind the PES T&D conference and the Transformers Committee, offering resources on power engineering.
  • NETA (InterNational Electrical Testing Association) — The organization responsible for technician certification and training standards, including the apprenticeship program mentioned.
  • U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Electrical and Electronics Engineers — Provides data on employment outlook and salaries for electrical engineers, relevant to the workforce discussion.

138 words

Radar Profile

The radar profile shows moderate scores across all dimensions, with slightly higher scores in information quantity and reliability, reflecting the speaker's experience but limited depth. The video is informative for industry insiders but lacks technical depth and independent verification.

Reliability 6/10

💬 No comments were provided for analysis.