The fuel cell industry is growing even in the face of a global economic recession, with 2010 revenues exceeding $750 million. Markets such as uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), residential combined heat and power (CHP), power for remote monitoring equipment, auxiliary power units (APUs), and portable power for military applications have all experienced an increase in traction over the last year.

In the midst of the increase in revenue and shipments, a number of meta trends are emerging that will change the shape the industry by the end of 2011. These include long-anticipated trends such as company consolidation but also issues that have sprung out of nowhere in the past year such as concerns over supply of rare earth metals (REMs). The issue of government intervention versus free market will continue to simmer. Finally, new markets for fuel cells are continuing to come to the fore as the economics of adoption, both direct and indirect, continue to be tipped in favor of the technology.

This Pike Research white paper offers timely perspective and insight on 10 trends that will change the shape of the fuel cell industry during 2011. Information and analysis in this paper is drawn from Pike Research’s ongoing coverage of the global fuel cell market.

What Does This Report Answer?

• How will the hydrogen industry cope with increased demand from fuel cell technology?
• How will restrictions on rare earth metals (REMs) impact the fuel cell industry?
• What are the key tipping points in the stationary fuel cell sector?
• What type of consolidation is likely in the fuel cell industry during 2011?
• What is the route to market for fuel cell vehicles (FCVs)?
• How will Japan and South Korea have an increasing role in the global fuel cell industry?
• Why we are likely to see hydrogen as a storage medium start to take off in 2011?
• What is the potential for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) as a key market for micro fuel cells?

Who Needs This Report?

• Fuel cell and hydrogen companies
• Supply chain companies looking to enter the fuel cell industry
• Government, energy and economic policy makers
• Power generation companies
• Utilities
• Commodities analysts
• Investment community

Table of Contents

1. Executive Summary

1.1 Introduction

2. Ten Key Trends in the Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Industries

2.1 Increasing Importance of the Hydrogen “Juniors”

2.2 Re-Emergence of the Private Equity Firms

2.3 Tipping Points in the Stationary Fuel Cell Sector

2.4 Fuel Cell Vehicles Will Continue to See Limited, but Growing, Deployment

2.5 Necessary Consolidation in the Fuel Cell Industry

2.6 Rising Influence of Japan and Korea in the Global Fuel Cell Industry

2.7 Hydrogen as an Energy Storage Medium

2.8 Refocusing and Rebranding

2.9 Rare Earth Restrictions as an Obstacle to Fuel Cell Adoption

2.10 UAVs as a Key Market for Micro Fuel Cells

3. Acronym and Abbreviation List

4. Table of Contents

5. Table of Charts and Figures

6. Scope of Study, Sources and Methodology, Notes

List of Charts

• Hydrogen Consumption, United States: 2003 and 2006
• Wind and Solar PV Installations Under Construction, World Markets: 2011