INTRODUCTION
STUDY GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
This comprehensive market study reviews in depth the pertinent technical,
geographical, and economic drivers for Solid Oxide Fuel Cells. Forecasted growth
of the industry sector is presented with important analytical and statistical
information on markets, applications, industry structure, markets and industry
dynamics, as well as materials and other technical developments. The focus of
this analysis is Solid Oxide Fuel Cells with a review of potential applications
from small to large power demands. The main goal of this study is to identify
potential growth opportunities for Solid Oxide Fuel Cells and to provide the
reader with information needed for strategic planning or investment decisions.
REASONS FOR DOING THE STUDY
The fuel cell industry is one of the fastest growing industry segments of the
power industry due to the need for reliable power sources either for small
applications (power-hungry laptops for example) or larger ones (stationary,
residential or transportation). Fuel cells have now reached the position of a
viable power alternative to standard means of power generation for all
applications types and sizes. Market introduction of small or micro fuel cells
is expected within the next couple of years for the high-end market. Power
plants in various countries (U.S., Germany, and Japan) are being constructed.
Many cities, countries or states are moving some of their public transportation
(buses or trains for example) to hybrid electrical vehicle, some using fuel
cells. Solid oxide fuel cells present one of the promising technology options
for the whole range of applications described above.
With any technology,
materials developments, design, safety and monitoring, market incentives, and
other motivating economic factors come to play an important role in their
success for a global and industry-wide market penetration and commercialization.
This study is intended to be the most complete technical, economic and business
document of its type on this subject and is designed to provide information of a
professional nature. The technical data depend on the accuracy of the
manufacturers and technical sources that make up the BCC database. This report
is not intended to constitute a legal or accounting document, nor is it an
endorsement of any given product or process. The author and BCC, Inc., as the
publisher, assume no liability for loss or damage as a result of reliance on
this material.
Like most disruptive technologies, fuel cells have emerging
market opportunities as well as technical or commercialization hurdles to
overcome. The market opportunities that the Solid Oxide Fuel Cells present for
the materials industry are being reviewed throughout this study as well as the
forecasted global market and economic values of this technology with emerging
commercial opportunities and remaining challenges for specific applications.
This
BCC, Inc. technical/marketing study provides an in-depth analysis of the solid
oxide fuel cell technology and the role this technology plays for the
power-generation market.
CONTRIBUTION OF THE STUDY AND FOR WHOM
This study aims to provide a complete set of market and technical information
to persons interested in investment, acquisition, or expansion in solid oxide
fuel cell technology with specific, detailed information to make informed
decisions. In addition, those who simply want to stay abreast of the state of
the art of Solid Oxide Fuel Cells will find this study worthwhile.
More
specifically, this study aims to provide a unique analysis of the global market
for Solid Oxide Fuel Cells, from materials, processes, and design developments
to market incentives, and will be of interest to manufacturers of power
technologies (fuel cells or batteries), their suppliers (materials and
components providers for example), as well as their applications: portable
power, stationary, transportation or residential products. This report also will
be valuable to those involved in solid oxide fuel cell development and
marketing, as well as those offering competing power sources.
Existing and
potential solid oxide fuel cell material providers, including miners,
processors, refiners, chemical synthesizers and recyclers will find information
provided by this report of interest to their operations.
The author and BCC,
Inc. wish to thank those companies, government agencies and university
researchers who contributed information to this effort.
SCOPE AND FORMAT
The scope of this report is to review the solid oxide fuel cell industry
market opportunities and technical implications. A brief overview of the
position of the Solid Oxide Fuel Cells technology within the larger field of
fuel cells is being presented first, followed by a short description of the
motivating economic and legislative factors driving the industry. Worldwide
industry structure, with an emphasis on the U.S. market, and competitiveness is
being studied in terms of market drivers, market applications, emerging markets
or new applications, patents and technology review for materials, design, and
components but also monitoring and safety needs.
A profile of the various
materials needs and market opportunities is being addressed. Fuel options for
Solid Oxide Fuel Cells are being briefly reviewed, as extensive coverage exists
in previous BCC, Inc. reports. Specific materials and components growth demand
is forecasted in terms of value, volume, and geography as applicable. Profile of
the main industry materials and components suppliers is included.
Cost/performance ratios of the various technologies complement this study.
Where
appropriate, historic, background, sources and suppliers, developments and
constraints, predicted and current markets by volume and value are summarized.
Specific benefits and challenges by applications type are reviewed: portable
power, stationary, transportation, and residential products. The markets are
summarized by region and the types of cells, along with the players or potential
players in the market.
The area of fuel cell technology is a fast expanding
industry. Specific Solid Oxide Fuel Cells' technological or market innovations
have been included to the best of our knowledge in a rapidly evolving industry.
METHODOLOGY
Information sources, which provided the research information for this report,
include: in-depth analysis of technical and business literature, a review of the
history of the technology, interviews with industry experts, company
representatives, federal government researchers, and university scientists.
Secondary sources of information included product literature from solid oxide
fuel cell system suppliers, and numerous scientific references, patent searches,
and BCC's available database.
Forecasted and estimated values are based upon
market trends, predicted values, historic trends, and private discussions with
expert representatives from companies, laboratories, and governmental agencies.
All figures are presented in constant 2003 U.S. dollars.
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