The new Pike Research report brought out at the yearly Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Energy Association members meeting indicates that the global demand for fuel cell shipments witnessed a two-fold increase from around 7,500 units to over 15,000 units during the period from 2008 to 2010.
The report titled, “Fuel Cells Annual Report” studies the conditions of the worldwide fuel cell industry, drivers for its growth and roadblocks it faces where it will be placed in 2017 and why the year 2015 is considered as important for the industry. The report is a result of the Pikes extensive industry research, interviews with the top echelon and the use of its research model.
The report mentions that the usage of products powered by the fuel cell is slowly gaining pace in a range of usages. Though some reversals were seen in the early stage, a clear shift in its move from its traditional R&D base towards commercial sector is seen. Currently, fuel cells are used in various applications such as household usage, to power mobile towers in Africa, to support the reliability of grid and for the use in low-carbon transportation.
During the year 2010, the stationary power sector was seen as the reason for nearly 60% growth in fuel cell units. The increased demand came from sectors such as residential units for Japan, off-grid mobile towers and combined heat and power (CHP) plants deployed in hotels, hospitals and others. The report indicates that the use of fuel cells in the transport sector will have to wait for the release of the first fuel cell vehicle (FCV) slated for 2015. It indicates that the auxiliary power unit (APU) sector continues to witness an increase in its shipments every year.
According to Kerry-Ann Adamson, the research director, the forthcoming years will resolve the survival of the existing companies. He added that the reduced level of barriers for the new entrants, standardization of product modules, introduction of new business models and increased level of concentration on product shipments will allow the entry of new ventures in the coming five years.
Source: http://www.pikeresearch.com/