Ultracapacitors: The Next Big Energy Storage Technology of the Decade

Monday May 22, 7:45 am ET

PALO ALTO, Calif., May 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Although battery chemistries have higher energy densities in comparison to ultracapacitors, their power delivery, when the application demands it, remains poor. In comparison, ultracapacitors are a powerful energy source, where power surge requirements have to be met, and have already found immense use in consumer electronics such as mobile phones and PDAs. Among the other potential application sectors, UPS applications, renewable energy systems such as windmills, and other industrial equipment are also fast realizing the need for a superior energy storage device. Likewise, transportation applications are looking to improve fuel consumption and provide more luxuries in basic automobiles and, ultracapacitors, with their higher power density as well as product life cycle, promise a complete solution to the increasing power needs of these new applications.


New analysis from Frost & Sullivan (http://www.batteries.frost.com), World Ultracapacitor Market, reveals that revenues in this industry totaled $191.2 million in 2005 and will likely more than triple in revenues by 2012.

If you are interested in a virtual brochure, which provides manufacturers, end users, and other industry participants an overview of the latest analysis of the World Ultracapacitor Market, then send an e-mail to Trisha Bradley, Corporate Communications, at trisha.bradley@frost.com with your full name, company name, title, telephone number, fax number, and e-mail address. Upon receipt of the above information, an overview will be sent to you by e-mail.

Significantly, the consumer application segment, which was the first area to use ultracapacitors, is the largest market for this technology. Novel electronic devices, with their advanced features, demand a good energy source for sudden high power requirements as well as for memory storage. As a result, ultracapacitors are proving the ideal solution for such needs not only due to their high power density, but also because of their unlimited ability to charge and discharge without affecting their structure. In the industrial segment, ultracapacitors can enhance the life of a battery, when used in conjunction with the battery as it absorbs and protects against any sags and surges in the voltage that could damage or limit the battery.

"In the transportation segment, the ultracapacitor interestingly has a very different role and its quick charge and recharge ability, combined with its high power density, is being tested for regenerative breaking as well as stop and go applications," notes Frost & Sullivan Research Analyst Anu Abraham. "Breaking and accelerating consume high amounts of fuel and when ultracapacitors are employed in the process, they successfully reduce overall fuel consumption in the cars."

However, despite its many benefits, the major challenge for ultracapacitor manufacturers is likely to lie in reducing the overall cost of their technology. The adoption of any new technology is generally a slow process and this trend in the industry is in turn sustaining the high costs involved in manufacturing ultracapacitors, and low volumes particularly influence this high cost. Hence, the costs of ultracapacitors are completely dependent on their positive adoption by various end users across the globe.

"The high costs involved with ultracapacitors are significantly slowing down adoption and restraining full-fledged commercialization of these systems," explains Anu Abraham. "Nevertheless, manufacturers are undertaking innovative R&D efforts to address the shortcomings of the technology and it is essential to note that the prices per Farad range have significantly reduced enabling these devices to be competent enough to cater to the needs of a large commercial market."

Additionally, expecting an upturn in adoption, manufacturers are increasing their production capacities and revising their marketing strategies. This is, in fact, a cyclic response to the commercialization of ultracapacitors in all three end-user industries, namely transportation, industrial, and commercial applications.

Summing up, increased proliferation of advanced consumer and portable electronic devices is likely to have a positive impact on revenues in the world ultracapacitor market. The transportation sector is also emerging as a very promising application segment and overall market penetration for ultracapacitors is likely to witness a steady growth trend until 2010.

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Frost & Sullivan, a global growth consulting company, has been partnering with clients to support the development of innovative strategies for more than 40 years. The company's industry expertise integrates growth consulting, growth partnership services, and corporate management training to identify and develop opportunities. Frost & Sullivan serves an extensive clientele that includes Global 1000 companies, emerging companies, and the investment community by providing comprehensive industry coverage that reflects a unique global perspective and combines ongoing analysis of markets, technologies, econometrics, and demographics. For more information, visit http://www.frost.com .