Global Markets for Capacitors, Flywheels and SMES Systems: Emerging and Mature Technologies

Report Highlights

• The global market for capacitors, flywheels and SMES systems will rise at an average annual growth rate (AAGR) of 5.9%, from $9.1 billion in 2005 to $12.2 billion in 2010.
• Mature capacitor technologies that include aluminum, tantalum and ceramic capacitors account for 98.7% of all capacitor sales.
• Emerging technologies are valued at $228 million in 2005 and are expected to rise at an AAGR of 19.2% to $550 million in 2010.
• The largest and most rapidly growing market shares are represented by emerging niobium-oxide capacitor, film capacitor, ultracapacitor, supercapacitor and aerocapacitor technologies.

INTRODUCTION

Oil shortages in the 1970s, the Gulf War in the 1990s, and present conflicts with leaders in the Middle East have inspired U.S. policy makers to decrease the dependency on foreign energy sources. For example, tax incentives are offered to citizens who use wind power. Increased demands for electrical power have incited utility companies to explore novel and cost-effective methods for meeting expanding consumer needs. Distributed generation, for example, is a growing practice within the utility industry.

Energy costs motivate consumers to use more energy-efficient products. For instance, more consumers are purchasing hybrid electric vehicles to decrease gasoline consumption. Furthermore, health hazards and environmental contaminants associated with the most commonly used energy storage devices have caused global governments to seek alternative energy storage solutions. Specifically, devices containing lead adversely affect human health; so lead-acid batteries may be replaced by other technologies in some applications.

This timely BCC study evaluates the technology, materials and markets for three interesting types of energy storage: capacitors, flywheel energy storage (FES) systems and superconducting magnetic energy storage (SMES) systems. The report analyzes how these three devices influence the issues stated above.

SCOPE OF STUDY

The report contains:

• An overview and detailed analysis of energy storage, distribution and use
• Detailed analysis of three primary markets: capacitors, flywheel energy storage and superconducting magnetic energy storage
• Product technology reviews for each technology
• Product sales for the previous five years and sales forecasts through 2010
• Analysis of end-user and regional markets
• Discussions of competing technologies
• Profiles of the leading manufacturers in each market.

METHODOLOGY

The information presented in this report is supported by literature reviews, patent examinations, government reports, and interviews with commercial sources. Historic market data is presented in current dollars. Estimates for 2005 and forecasts for 2010 are provided and are presented in 2005 dollars. Market forecasts assume no unexpected legislation and no unanticipated technical advances.

ANALYST'S CREDENTIALS

Joyelle Harris is the project analyst of this report. She has a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology and a master's degree in electrical engineering from Princeton University. She is currently employed as an electrical engineer while completing her Ph.D. in electrical engineering at Princeton. She has over 9 years of experience in technical writing and research and 2 years of experience in market analysis.

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