Wintergreen Research's Micro Fuel Cell: Market Opportunities, Strategies, and Forecasts, 2005 to 2013
market briefing
Report
Investment is needed to decrease the micro fuel cell component costs. Economies of scale are needed to make micro fuel cells competitive. Micro fuel cell systems are far less expensive than the alternative battery technologies in the long run.
The market driving force for micro fuel cells is the demand for better energy sources than batteries. Renewable energy is needed to be the base source. Batteries are a chemical process, but they do not last long enough. Fuel cells promise to provide more reliable, longer portable power than batteries.
Investment is needed to decrease the micro fuel cell component costs. Economies of scale are needed to make micro fuel cells competitive. Micro fuel cell systems are far less expensive than the alternative battery technologies in the long run.
Micro fuel cell products compete with power systems that utilize both direct and indirect energy conversion methods. Direct conversion may involve fuels such as methanol, ethanol and sodium borohydride that are converted into electrons through a direct fuel cell system.
During the war in Iraq, the military ran out of batteries. Supply managers took batteries out of every other location worldwide. Battery companies worked 24 x 7 and could not product the needed batteries. Three days of batteries were on hand when the war ended. The military has to build a micro fuel cell substitute for batteries.
The market demand for these fuel cells is evolving. Mass-market acceptance is anticipated by 2008, with 145 million units in sales by 2010. The strong growth is anticipated to be starting in 2007 and 2008.
Markets are strongly impacted by the timing of the approval of letting unit be carried in the cabin of an airplane. Units are now approved for the baggage hold of an aircraft, leading one to believe that approval in 2007 is a reasonable expectation. The concern has been handling of explosive materials.
The market demand for micro fuel cells is building towards mass-market acceptance by 2008. Markets are anticipated to be $510-million worldwide by 2008, with the strong growth occurring in 2007 and 2008 as technology becomes mature and products start to work.
By 2013, micro fuel cell markets reach $11 billion. This represents a range of PC, handset, PDA, and digital device segments in a variety of industry, military, and health care segments.
Report Methodology
This is the two hundred forty first report in a series of market research reports that provide forecasts in communications, telecommunications, the internet, computer, software, and telephone equipment. The project leaders take direct responsibility for writing and preparing each report. They have significant experience preparing industry studies. Forecasts are based on primary research and proprietary data bases. Forecasts reflect analysis of the market trends in the segment and related segments. Unit and dollar shipments are analyzed through consideration of dollar volume of each market participation in the segment. Market share analysis includes conversations with key customers of products, industry segment leaders, marketing directors, distributors, leading market participants, and companies seeking to develop measurable market share. Over 200 in-depth interviews are conducted for each report with a broad range of key participants and opinion leaders in the market segment.
About the Company
WinterGreen Research, founded in 1985, provides strategic market assessments in telecommunications, communications equipment, health care, and advanced computer technology. Industry reports focus on opportunities that will expand existing markets or develop major new markets. The reports assess new product and service positioning strategies, new and evolving technologies, and technological impact on products, services, and markets. Market shares are provided. Leading market participants are profiled, and their marketing strategies, acquisitions, and strategic alliances are discussed. The principals of WinterGreen Research have been involved in analysis and forecasting of international business opportunities in telecommunications and advanced computer technology markets for over 30 years.
About the Principal Authors
Ellen T. Curtiss, Technical Director, co-founder of WinterGreen Research, conducts strategic and market assessments in technology-based industries. Previously she was a member of the staff of Arthur D. Little, Inc., for 23 years, most recently as Vice President of Arthur D. Little Decision Resources, specializing in strategic planning and market development services. She is a graduate of Boston University and the Program for Management Development at Harvard Graduate School of Business Administration. She is the author of recent studies on worldwide telecommunications markets and the Top Ten Telecommunications market analysis and forecasts.
Susan Eustis, President, co-founder of WinterGreen Research, has done research in communications and computer markets and applications. She holds several patents in microcomputing and parallel processing. She is the author of recent studies of the Regional Bell Operating Companies' marketing strategies, Internet equipment, a study of Internet Equipment, Worldwide Telecommunications Equipment, Top Ten Telecommunications, Digital Loop Carrier, Web Hosting, and Application Integration markets. Ms. Eustis is a graduate of Barnard College.
Investment is needed to decrease the micro fuel cell component costs. Economies of scale are needed to make micro fuel cells competitive. Micro fuel cell systems are far less expensive than the alternative battery technologies in the long run.
