Lithium-Ion Capacitors in Wind Power Generation Global Market Forecast & Analysis (2011-2021)

ElectroniCast Consultants                                

 

Publish Date:             August 20, 2012

Text Pages:               239

Also Included:            Excel worksheets and PowerPoint Slides

Fee:                            US$3,200

Contact for More Information: Stephen Montgomery

Web-site:  www.electronicast.com

This ElectroniCast report provides a 2011-2021 market forecast and analysis of the worldwide consumption of lithium-ion capacitors (LICs) used in wind power generation (wind turbine) applications.

ElectroniCast Consultants published a report specifically addressing the potential use of lithium-ion capacitors in solar photovoltaic (PV) power generation applications in December 2011; and now we are releasing this report addressing the use of lithium-ion capacitors in wind power generation applications.

A capacitor is an electrical device that stores or releases electricity through rapid electrostatic reactions. Compared with a battery that stores electricity through slow chemical reactions, a capacitor makes it possible to charge and discharge electricity almost instantaneously with a long cycle life. 

Lithium-Ion Capacitors (LICs) have a higher power density as compared to batteries and LIC’s are safer in use than Lithium-Ion Batteries (LIBs), since thermal runaway reactions may occur with the LIBs. Compared to an Electric Double-Layer Capacitor (EDLC), the lithium-ion capacitor has a higher output voltage. They both have similar power densities, but energy density of a lithium-ion capacitor is higher.

Lithium-ion capacitors contain no hazardous substances, such as heavy metals (Cadmium, Mercury or Lead) making them environmentally friendly electrical storage devices.  They are also characterized by an ability to charge with even weak current, and as a result, demand is expected to increase substantially in environmentally friendly fields such as solar power generation.

The use of lithium-ion capacitors as independent power supplies in combination with wind turbines (wind power) is considered for a wide range of devices such as off-grid power systems, water pumping/filtration systems, LED streetlights and roadway/railway signage, telecommunication equipment, surveillance cameras, security sensors and other applications.

Wind power is the conversion of wind energy into a useful form of energy, such as using wind turbines to make electricity.  In relationship to the use of lithium-ion capacitors, this study deals mostly with small-scale wind power, which is the name given to wind generation systems with the capacity to produce up to 100 kW of electrical power.  Isolated communities, which may otherwise rely on diesel generators, may use wind turbines as an alternative.

ElectroniCast analysts performed interviews (primary research) with authoritative and representative individuals concerned with the power storage industry sector, plus “renewable” (naturally replenished) energy power generating technologies (wind, solar and other), energy-efficient lighting (LEDs), consumer power-stations, migration systems of voltage sags/swells, uninterruptible power supply (UPS) devices, off-grid energy cooperatives, and many other concerns and related entities.

The future of the lithium-ion capacitor (LIC) market, despite exciting innovative devices driven by technological advances and ecological/energy-saving concerns, still face challenges in overcoming performance/price limitations and in attracting widespread consumption.  The use of LICs in wind power generation applications is increasing, initiating from government-based initiative – then to commercial/business – and eventually to the consumer-level.

On-going extensive customer demand-side and supplier-side information interviews, combined with ElectroniCast background of information and opinions in the energy efficiency solution field were the basis for estimating data to be inserted into the analysis/forecast data base spreadsheets.  Published information related to LIC and related component/applications and consumption, was reviewed, including:

• Trade press

·        Press release information

• Financial reports
• Web site background information
• Vendor production information
• Other published information

The ElectroniCast market forecast (Excel spreadsheet) database structure used for this project is provided for insertion (and later manipulation) of quantities, prices (and thus value) for lithium-ion capacitors used in wind power generation applications for each year, in each end-user category subset of each geographical region.  This technique permits analysis for reasonableness check at all levels.  The final database/spreadsheet is the source for the various values incorporated in the tables and figures in this report and quoted in the (report) text.

Regional Market Segmentation This report provides the market data by the following regional segments and sub-regions:

·        Global (Total)

o       America

§         United States and Canada

§         Latin America

o       EMEA

§         Northern Europe

§         Southern Europe

§         Western Europe

§         Eastern Europe

§         Middle East and Africa

o       APAC

§         People’s Republic of China (PRC)

§         Japan

§         Republic of Korea (ROK)

§         Rest of APAC

The estimate of 2011 plus the market forecast (2012-2021) is presented for Lithium-Ion capacitors for use with wind power generation (wind turbines).  The Lithium-Ion capacitor (LIC) market forecast data are segmented by the following functions:

·        Consumption Value (US$, million)

·        Quantity (number/Farad: Million)

·        Average Selling Prices (ASP $, each Farad)

Nominal Capacitance - Farad (F):          The farad (symbol: F) is the SI unit of capacitance (SI is the International System of Units).  Capacitance is the ability of a capacitor to store energy in an electric field. Capacitance is also a measure of the amount of electric potential energy stored (or separated) for a given electric potential. A common form of energy storage device is a parallel-plate capacitor.

  

Market Forecast Application Categories

The ElectroniCast market forecast of consumption is presented for two major End-User categories:

·  Government/Commercial

·  Residential/Non-Specific

The market share (%) of the consumption value market forecast, by end-user group, is shown in the Figure below.  The Government/ Commercial category is forecast to maintain its market leadership role during the forecast period.  There are many different sources of energy (coal, nuclear, natural gas, hydro, oil), therefore, the use of wind turbine-based products, as well as other alternative or renewable energy solutions (naturally replenished) are constantly striving to serve the needs of consumers.

The Residential category also includes “other” applications, which typically fall under the non-specific group based mostly on the web-based sale channels or other distribution channel where it often difficult to ascertain the final user-group of the product.