Fuel cell shipments are expected to increase by 25 per cent in 2011 compared to last year, with polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells accounting for the majority of the total.

The Fuel Cell Today annual Industry Review 2011 forecasts fuel cell unit shipments to surpass 285,000 this year, continuing the impressive 40 per cent growth seen between 2009 and 2010.

Europe accounts for a 50 per cent share of total shipments this year, expected to order 144,800 units, while North America is expected receive 104,400 units.

Polymer membrane fuel cells, which use a platinum catalyst, are being used in a range of applications including forklift trucks, domestic boilers and back-up power units.

The report notes that one of the barriers to more widespread adoption has been the cost of fuel cells.

Data from the US Department of Energy (DoE) has targeted a reduction in platinum loadings for fuel cell catalysts, setting a deadline of 2015. Fuel Cell Today believes that these targets are "essential to achieving the necessary cost reductions to enable the widespread use of fuel cells in both new and existing applications".

However, the report notes that, owing to the efficacy of platinum catalysts compared to other materials in terms of power density, durability and activity, the precious metal is unlikely to be removed from fuel cells entirely.

The US DoE data demonstrates that platinum loading has already decreased by more than 80 per cent between 2005 and 2010.

Fuel Cell Today's report highlights the commercial opportunities emerging for in the portable consumer electronics sector, noting that a number of companies are poised to release external charging devices for 2011.

"Signi?cant improvements in power density are required to enable the miniaturisation necessary for fuel cells to be integrated directly into consumer electronics; only then are they likely to become part of our everyday lives in mobile phones and laptops," the report explains. "If these advances can be realised and costs reduced, it would open up opportunities in a market expected to exceed $950 billion (£602 billion) in 2011, according to the Consumer Electronics Association."

Interestingly, the report predicts a dearth of orders in the transport sector compared to last year, but notes this is a symptom of procurement trends in the bus markets, where vehicles tend to be purchased in batches. In the light duty vehicle sector, the anticipated reduction in orders has been attributed to the sector's focus on bringing the technology to the commercial market, having completed product development and testing phases.

The vast majority of unit shipments will be for the portable fuel cell market (274,000), dwarfing orders for stationary (10,000) and transport (1,600) applications. This is expected to improve over the next four years. "By 2015, conservative estimates see upwards of 25,000 units sold per year in each of the stationary and transport sectors, with clear potential for signi?cant growth beyond this," notes the report.

However, demand for stationary applications continues its steady growth, with Fuel Cell Today predicting a 35 per cent increase in shipments compared to 2010. The report draws attention to the declining sentiments for nuclear power in Japan, in favour of fuel cell generation with some independence from the national power grid. One project, the Japanese Ene-Farm, boasts over 13,000 installations across Japan and is expected to continue the steady growth which has been seen since 2005.

Source:

The Fuel Cell Today Industry Review 2011 (15/09/11)
 
© Adfero Ltd