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.
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