GlobalData’s report “Europe Smart Grid Opportunity:
Analysis and Market Forecasts” provides an in- depth analysis of the smart grid related developments in Europe. The report covers various aspects of the smart grid and related technologies such as market sizing, investment scenario analysis and competitive landscape analysis. At the very outset, the report discusses the concept of smart grid and the benefits arising out of its implementation. The report proceeds to explain the smart grid industry dynamics in Europe identifying the key market drivers, industry challenges and providing a list of smart grid pilot projects in Europe. The report assesses the European smart grid market by analyzing Europe into five different regions. It elaborates on the European market for smart meters, advanced energy storage systems, high voltage direct current cables, wind and solar energy generation systems and broadband over power line. A section of the report is dedicated to the major policies and standards related to the smart grid industry in Europe.
Reduction in Power Losses from Legacy Grids will Drive the Implementation of Smart Grids
European countries are slowly becoming aware of the potential of smart grid to incorporate energy efficient technologies in the power grid to reduce power losses and remove associated inefficiencies. The European power grids incur losses amounting to billions of dollars every year which increase the costs of both energy generation and consumption. The energy efficient features of the smart grid will help to reduce the losses by almost 50% which acts as a major incentive for European governments to upgrade to a smarter grid.
Acquisition Activities
Continue Amidst Recession The acquisition activities in the European smart grid industry have maintained a steady pace during the period 2002-2009. In 2009, up to date 3 acquisitions have taken place among the key players. The outbreak of the financial crisis across the world has done little to dampen the spirit of the investors. This is a healthy trend that indicates sustained interest of investors in the smart grid related developments in Europe.
Lack of Political Consensus to Hamper Cross-Border Grid Interconnection
The deployment of a Pan-European smart grid is facing problems due to the lack of political consensus among the European nations. The full potential of smart grids across Europe can only be realized if the renewable energy resources of the different European nations are utilized through cross-border grid interlinking. The unwillingness of the European governments to share their national resources is hampering the prospect of Pan-European grid interlinking. GlobalData assesses that a concerted effort from the European Governments is imperative to implement a monolithic power grid for all of Europe. Positive developments such as the electric transmission corridor between France and Spain can only help the cause for a cross-border grid interconnection that serves the whole of Europe.
Broadband over Power Line to Lose out to Competing Technologies
The European market for Broadband over Power Line (BPL) will witness limited growth during the period 2009-2015. BPL was under test for a while in Europe to deliver online content over utility distribution lines. Practically, all of these test projects yielded undesired results such as interference with the radio waves forcing the utilities to abandon most of these projects. The disastrous results of the BPL pilot projects undertaken have cast a dark shadow over the viability of BPL as competing internet technologies such as DSL, WiFi, and WiMAX. With all these disadvantages, GlobalData predicts a steady demise for BPL technology that provides internet connectivity over power lines.
For further details, visit: www.globaldata.com
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