Pike Research: Portable Fuel Cell Market to Reach $2.3 Billion by 2016
23 January 2010
Fuel cells are emerging as an increasingly viable and cost-effective means of providing clean, reliable power for portable power applications ranging from consumer electronics to first responder communications and materials handling. Although the fuel cell industry has endured a series of false starts in recent years, the global market for portable fuel cells will increase to $2.3 billion by 2016, up from just $185 million in 2009, according to a recent report from Pike Research.
Dozens of niche applications will drive the growth of the fuel cell market over the next several years. Manufacturers are increasingly finding that fuel cell technologies are an attractive alternative to batteries and small generators for portable power applications.
—Clint Wheelock, managing director
| Sub-7 kW Fuel Cell Industry Total Revenue, World Markets: 2008-2017. Source: Pike. Click to enlarge. |
Wheelock adds that the commercialization of portable fuel cells is receiving a significant boost from government funding and direct orders for various military and industrial applications.
Pike Research forecasts that the leading market segment by 2016 will be fuel cells in the 500 watt to 2 kilowatt range, which serve as a replacement for gasoline and diesel generators and are used in watercraft, combat support systems, and auxiliary power units.
The 100-500 watt power level will be the second largest segment; this category has applications for first responder battery charging, power tools, and unmanned vehicles.
Pike Research’s report, “Fuel Cells for Portable Power Applications”, provides a tactical, applications-oriented analysis of the emerging market for portable fuel cells. It examines the market opportunity for specific niche applications within five key power level segments: 1-20W, 20-100W, 100-500W, 1-2 kW, and 2-7 kW. The report also includes profiles of key industry players and global market forecasts through 2017. An Executive Summary of the report is available for free download on the firm’s website.
Wonder why they have the market jumping by such a huge amount on 2013-2014 timeframe.
Posted by: wintermane2000 | 23 January 2010 at 07:55 AM
Toshiba has already marketed a small cell for laptops at around $300.
Posted by: HarveyD | 23 January 2010 at 08:02 AM
Fuel cells have been used for over 50 years, but their cost still has not been reduced enough to compete with engines. Large ship engines get 50 percent efficiency when burning the equivalent of tar or crude oil, and a steam bottom cycle could add another 10 percent perhaps. This is twice the efficiency of a very good automobile. ..HG..
Posted by: Henry Gibson | 24 January 2010 at 03:13 AM