BOULDER, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--By far the most common energy source for remote, off-grid base stations for mobile telecommunications is diesel generators – a solution that presents a number of economic, logistical, and environmental challenges. Thus, demand for reliable, non-diesel-based energy sources for such facilities is growing. Though this market is small when compared with grid-tied base stations, so-called “green base stations,” which utilize renewable, battery, and fuel cell technologies, are starting to see real market traction. According to a new report from Pike Research, a part of Navigant’s Energy Practice, annual deployments of off-grid power supplies, using renewable or alternative energy sources, for remote mobile base stations will grow from fewer than 13,000 worldwide in 2012 to more than 84,000 in 2020. In all, more than 390,000 such base stations will be deployed from 2012 through 2020, the study concludes.
“The combination of increased energy costs and expanding policy directives from governments is creating pressure on the system,” says research director Kerry-Ann Adamson. “And the system is reaching a tipping point, where the new technology offerings in remote base stations could become the industry norm within 10 years. Adding these factors to the high anticipated growth rates in off-grid base station deployments creates the potential for a high-uptake industry to evolve in a very short period of time, if companies can produce product at a volume that works in the local environment.”
Because most off-grid base stations are in remote parts of the developing world, the market for off-grid base station power is also one area where the traditional early adopter nations, the United States, Japan, and Germany, lag behind nations such as China, Zambia, South Africa, Kenya, and Indonesia. Africa, a continent with rapidly growing telecom infrastructure, will account for more than 23,500 deployments in 2020 – 28 percent of the world total, according to the report.
The report, “Off-Grid Power for Mobile Base Stations”, examines the market for off-grid power for mobile base stations, focusing on renewable and alternative energy sources. The report includes a detailed analysis of the technology readiness of such systems, as well as an overview of the most likely technology combinations, including renewable generation with batteries and fuel cells, renewable generation with backup batteries, and standalone fuel cells. Market forecasts are provided for revenue, number of deployments, and capacity in megawatts, under base and optimistic scenarios, 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 Utilities, 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, “Off-Grid Power for Mobile Base Stations,” 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.