Smart Grids: Microgrid Market Boom on the Way as Europe and Asia Catch-up to US

Thursday 11 April 2013, Amsterdam

The global microgrid market is set for exceptional growth in the coming years, as Europe and Asia mimic the growth that has seen the US dominate the industry, states the latest report from research.

According to the new report, the global microgrid industry is anticipated to reach a value of US$18.9 billion in 2020 from a 2012 value of US$5.3 billion – demonstrating a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 17.2%.

Microgrids are integrated networks of power delivery systems consisting of a power generating system, storage systems, power electronics and load. They help to improve power quality, reliability, reduce carbon dioxide emissions and provide economic benefits to consumers and grid operators.

The market for microgrid technologies in Europe is currently in the introductory stage, but is expected to expand rapidly in the near future as the region updates an aging electricity infrastructure and integrates a higher share of renewable energy generation. From a 2012 value of US$710 million, European industry revenue is expected to grow exponentially during the forecast period, hitting US$5.3 billion by 2020.

We believe that the Asia-Pacific microgrid industry will be driven primarily by the need to increase electrification in remote locations across countries including China, India and Malaysia. Industry revenue in the region is forecast to reach US$5.7 billion by the end of the decade, from US$600 million in 2012, with China expected to maintain its market share of almost 40% over the eight year period.

The US – the dominant force in the global microgrids market last year, holding a 68% share – will display less impressive sector growth, states the report, but is still forecast to reach revenue of US$5.7 billion by 2020 from US$3.6 billion in 2012.