Oil and Energy

At the time the war in Iraq ended, the army and military had only a three-day supply of batteries left. The military had raided battery stores from bases all over the world; the battery factories were working 24 hours per day. There is significant incentive to develop fuel cells as a replacement for batteries. This fuel cell market will develop first.

The handheld digital device power markets will develop much faster because the units are disposable, the technology is easier, and the markets are likely to develop faster. Handsets for wireless communications are replaced on average every 19 months. Thus, the fuel cell power device does not have to have the reliability capabilities that the automotive fuel cells need to have to be competitive.

Micro fuel cells are used to replace batteries. Smart Fuel Cell AG SFC fuel cell cost reduction (SFC) has reached an important breakthrough in reducing the costs of micro fuel cells. A new membrane allows substitution of at least 50 percent of the expensive catalytic platinum.

The market driving force for fuel cells is the reality that fossil fuels are running out, and ultimately too expensive as an energy source. Wind and solar energy can be used to generate electricity, but the electricity is fleeting, it needs to be stored. Hydrogen is an effective storage means for electrical power. But hydrogen needs to be manufactured so that there is an energy source.

Manufacturing costs for fuel cell components make systems too expensive to be competitive at the current time. Investment is needed to decrease the component costs. Economies of scale are needed to make fuel cells competitive.

Fuel cell components are enabling fuel cell commercialization. Strategic suppliers to Ballard Power Systems are the most important component market participants as Ballard is a world leader in the development and commercialization of PEM fuel cells.

The fuel cell component markets are expected to be $171 million in 2004 as products being to teach the market commercially in all three categories of offerings: micro fuel cells to replace batteries, residential and backup power units, in busses, and in the personal transport markets. If the advances promised by current trends are accomplished, the fuel cell component markets reach $100 billion in 2013 for the combined segments.

For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c18077

Laura Wood
Senior Manager
Research and Markets
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