Total Installed Thermal Energy Storage Capacity in the United States Will Nearly Triple by 2020, Forecasts Pike Research

BOULDER, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Encompassing a variety of technologies that are used in diverse applications with the primary goal of storing thermal energy for use at a later time, thermal energy storage (TES) has been used commercially for many decades, largely to shift peak energy use into lower-cost periods. TES is also used to enhance electricity production at concentrated solar power (CSP) plants, by storing heat for later power generation. According to a new report from Pike Research, a part of Navigant’s Energy Practice, a sharp increase in interest in energy storage will open new opportunities for thermal storage, and the market for TES will see steady growth over the next several years. Installed TES capacity in the United States, which stood at 2.7 gigawatts (GW) in 2011, will increase by 4.5 GW by 2020, nearly tripling to a total of 7.2 GW, the report concludes.

“Although other storage media, especially batteries, are expected to grow significantly faster than TES, TES revenue will continue to increase with global revenue from new TES installations forecast to surpass $3.5 billion by 2020.”

“With the exception of pumped hydroelectric storage, which dwarfs the installed capacity of all other commercially available energy storage technologies, TES is currently the most common form of storage available,” says research director Kerry-Ann Adamson. “Although other storage media, especially batteries, are expected to grow significantly faster than TES, TES revenue will continue to increase with global revenue from new TES installations forecast to surpass $3.5 billion by 2020.”

The TES market in Europe will likely see the strongest growth, according to the report. Given the European Union’s heavy emphasis on energy efficiency initiatives and the rise in volatile renewable electricity generation, TES should have strong potential in this market. Under a conservative estimate of 2020 market activity, Pike Research forecasts that there will be about 19 GW of cumulative TES installations in Europe by the end of the decade, equaling 2 GW of new capacity per year by 2020.

The report, “Thermal Energy Storage”, analyzes the market for thermal energy storage, concentrating on five major applications that currently define the commercial marketplace for thermal storage: thermal storage for heating, ventilation and air conditioning in commercial buildings; district energy systems for cooling and, in some cases, heating; turbine inlet cooling to limit generation power losses; utility and grid support applications; and high-temperature storage at concentrated solar power generation facilities. In addition to comparing TES technologies and examining the drivers and barriers for the TES market, the study includes profiles of more than two dozen key industry players as well as forecasts for revenue and capacity through 2020. An Executive Summary of the report is available for free download on the Pike Research website.

About Pike Research

Pike Research, which joined Navigant’s global Energy Practice on July 1, 2012, provides in-depth analysis of global clean technology markets. The team’s research methodology combines supply-side industry analysis, end-user primary research and demand assessment, and deep examination of technology trends to provide a comprehensive view of the Smart Energy, Smart Grid, Smart Transportation, Smart Industry, and Smart Buildings sectors. Additional information about Pike Research can be found at www.navigant.com/pikeresearch.

About Navigant

Navigant (NYSE: NCI) is a specialized, global expert services firm dedicated to assisting clients in creating and protecting value in the face of critical business risks and opportunities. Through senior level engagement with clients, Navigant professionals combine technical expertise in Disputes and Investigations, Economics, Financial Advisory and Management Consulting, with business pragmatism in the highly regulated Construction, Energy, Financial Services and Healthcare industries to support clients in addressing their most critical business needs. More information about Navigant can be found at www.navigant.com.

* The information contained in this press release concerning the report, “Thermal Energy Storage,” is a summary and reflects Pike Research’s current expectations based on market data and trend analysis. Market predictions and expectations are inherently uncertain and actual results may differ materially from those contained in this press release or the report. Please refer to the full report for a complete understanding of the assumptions underlying the report’s conclusions and the methodologies used to create the report. Neither Pike Research nor Navigant undertakes any obligation to update any of the information contained in this press release or the report.