The global fuel industry increased by 41 per cent on a year-on-year basis during 2009, according to a new report released today (19th January).

In its latest review of the sector, entitled 'Fuel Cells: Sustainability', Fuel Cell Today revealed that shipments of fuel cell systems reached 24,000 units in the 12-month period.

Furthermore, the study noted that the total cumulative shipments of all kinds of fuel cells had hit 75,000 by the end of 2009, with three-quarters being produced in the last three years.

The company also provided its customary five-year projections for the industry, with Principal Analyst Dr Kerry-Ann Adamson noting that it expects significant growth.

"We anticipate millions of portable fuel cell units being shipped by 2014, with a heavy dominance of portable fuel cells," she said.

"In stationary applications, we anticipate over 1.5 GW of shipments by the end of the forecast period."

The report also revealed that the majority of the fuel cells shipped to date were manufactured in Asia, largely thanks to the CHP programme in Japan, which is being subsidised by the government.

Although shipments for vehicles in Europe declined in 2009, this was offset by increased demand from North America and in particular the US, where units are increasingly being used in forklift trucks.

"All of this points to the vitality of the fuel cell industry over the next five years, with positive implications in the longer term for job creation and emissions reduction," Dr Adamson concluded.

Source:


Fuel Cell Today press release

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