STRATEGIC MARKET ANALYSIS IN ENERGY TECHNOLOGY

As an expert in Germany's energy market research, MEYER INDUSTRY RESEARCH prepares individual market analyses and market studies in the energy sector and environmental technology. Our clients are manufacturers and suppliers in the field of energy technology as well as service providers in the German energy market.

An energy market analysis by MEYER INDUSTRY RESEARCH highlights e.g. market size, market development, competitive situation, potential customers as well as developments and major trends in the target market.

Our customers use the energy market studies, for example, for the market evaluation of innovations or in the development of new customer groups.

EXAMPLES OF MARKET RESEARCH PROJECTS IN THE ENERGY SECTOR

MEYER INDUSTRY RESEARCH has been providing individual market analyses and competitive intelligence to a wide range of clients in the energy sector since 2007. Please select a sample topic to learn more about some of our market research projects in the energy sector:

Home Energy Management Systems intelligently network and control energy generators and consumers in the home or in smaller companies (e.g. with their own e-vehicle fleet). The energy generated by e.g. photovoltaic systems or a fuel cell heater/micro-CHP is buffered by the HEM system in the battery storage, fed into the grid or delivered to connected consumers such as an e-charging station or smart household appliances, depending on demand. HEMS are becoming increasingly important against the backdrop of changing legal requirements for self-consumption of PV electricity, increasing use of electricity-powered heat pumps, a higher number of e-charging stations in private households and a general trend towards smart homes. For our client, we investigated the market for home energy management systems in Europe, identified the leading technology providers and analyzed market entry options for our client.

The smart home market is still in a relatively early technology phase, but is gaining momentum. Current studies predict annual growth rates of 25% and more. Currently, energy management, light and window management as well as security and access control are the largest market segments. For our client, we investigated selected applications in the smart home market and worked out market entry options based on our own technology development or an M&A strategy.

Distribution system operators such as E.ON, innogy and Netze BW are under considerable regulatory and efficiency pressure. Some market observers even expect an "end game in the grid" in the next few years with further consolidation within the grid operators. New technologies such as microgrids and blockchains may change the value chain in the energy landscape in the future and threaten the traditional business model of network operators. Against this backdrop, we analyzed the current market situation and future trends in the market for distribution grid operators in Germany for one market participant.

Traditional energy suppliers are currently investing heavily in the expansion of innovative energy services. Examples of new business areas include distributed generation solutions, energy storage systems, solutions for electromobility, and smart home offerings. Large energy groups such as E.ON plan to generate EUR 1 billion a year with these new solutions. Precise market knowledge and an exact overview of the competitive landscape are essential for the development of these new business areas. For our client, we analyzed the market for energy services in Germany and worked out trends and current projects of the leading market players.

Global capacity expansion in the wind energy sector is expected to continue at an annual rate of approx. 60 GW until 2025. The share of offshore parks will double from approx. 7% today (2017) to approx. 14% (2025). Large utilities are investing massively in new facilities against the backdrop of their decarbonization strategies, but institutional investors have also discovered the offshore market as an attractive asset class. Competitive pressure is correspondingly high when it comes to bidding for new projects. Against this background, our client was concerned with expanding its market position in this dynamic market and commissioned us to conduct an individual study on market prospects, leading park operators and market trends in the market for offshore wind parks worldwide.

In 2016, a new record value was achieved worldwide with approx. 76 GW of PV additions, the increase compared to the previous year was more than 50%. China and APAC were the most important installation regions with a combined addition of approx. 50 GW. Up to 2022, analyses assume further growth rates in new installations, but rather in the single-digit percentage range. Acquisitions and transactions are playing an increasing role in photovoltaic parks. Against this background, our client was intensively concerned with the future positioning in the market and commissioned us with an individual market analysis in the market for photovoltaic parks.

For a technology provider in the propulsion sector, we examined the market situation, competitive products, the cost structure and expected development trends in the field of wave and tidal power plants. Based on the individual market analysis, our client was able to make well-founded investment decisions for its own business area.

For an energy group, we analyzed market developments and the strategic positioning of the leading providers in the area of direct marketing. The results of the analysis were the basis for the further strategic orientation of the client in the area of direct marketing.

For investors, we investigated the global market for heating cost billing and the market for meter reading services/sub-metering (energy, water) as part of an M&A project. The sub-metering market is highly concentrated and is an attractive market environment for investors due to high, stable margins. In addition to established markets such as Germany, Austria, and Denmark, other countries are increasingly turning to sub-metering to realize energy savings potential. France and Italy have recently decided to implement it, and emerging markets are expected to offer long-term potential. The increasing digitalization of the real estate industry is creating new challenges and opportunities for metering service providers. New business models and new market players are emerging at the interface of the energy, housing and digital industries (smart home). IT and TC companies, are playing an increasing role.

Due to the increasing decentralization of energy supply and the rising feed-in of energy from fluctuating sources, virtual power plants are playing an increasing role in the market. An increasing number of energy suppliers and municipal utilities operate their own virtual power plants. For a service provider in the market environment, we investigated the current market status, future market potentials and leading players in the current landscape of virtual power plants.

Innovative technologies for storing electricity surpluses are often still in the pilot phase, but are expected to play a key role in the future energy infrastructure. As part of a market analysis for a service provider in the energy market, we investigated the current market status in the areas of power to heat, power to gas and power to liquid and identified the leading players in the industry in Germany.

Numerous market observers see stationary fuel cells on the threshold of commercial market launch in Europe. However, further decreases in production costs are required to achieve competitiveness. For a market player in the energy environment, we investigated the market for stationary fuel cells in Germany and analyzed the leading companies in the industry.

The market for water electrolysis and synthetic fuels (synfuels) produced from it is at a very early stage. In recent years, less than 20 MW of electrolysis capacity has been added annually. The extent and speed of future market penetration is currently difficult to predict. Optimistic forecasts assume that in the long term, 1,000 - 2,000 large 100 MW generation electrolysers could be built each year. Market observers see application potential for synthetic fuels, in addition to conventional road transport, primarily in aviation and shipping ("favorable" measure for achieving emission reduction targets). For our client, we investigated market potentials and perspectives for the client's long-term strategic orientation.

Europe is the world's most active region in home storage, with Germany clearly leading the development within Europe. Annual installation rates for home storage are expected to continue to grow strongly in Europe, from about 0.3 GW in 2019 to about 0.55 GW in 2024. Siemens' entry into the storage market and Shell's acquisition of Sonnen are seen as indications of the transition to a mass market. For our client, we analyzed technology options for integrating home storage into smart home energy management systems (HEMS) and evaluated market entry options in Europe.

For a provider of components in the energy environment, we analyzed the current market situation for large geothermal projects in Europe, identified attractive country markets and potential target customers in the market.

For a testing and certification service provider in the energy market, we analyzed market potential and future investment plans for gas-fired power plants and other power plant types at regional level. The analysis results were the basis for the targeted expansion of activities in attractive regions.

For a manufacturer of CHP units, we analyzed the global market for CHP units, examined the regional market situation and funding conditions, and identified the leading manufacturers worldwide. The analysis served as the basis for the client's international expansion.

For a supplier of components for the process industry, we analyzed the global market for coal-fired power plants. The analysis covered the current situation in the power plant market, future planned investments, important countries and trends in coal-fired power plant technologies.

For a service provider in the field of testing and certification, we analyzed the market for hydropower plants in selected countries. The analysis included the current status of hydropower in the countries, planned investments as well as locations and operators of large power plants on site.

For an engineering service provider, we investigated market potentials in the dismantling of nuclear power plants in Germany. Against the background of the nuclear phase-out, we analyzed the market situation, important trades in dismantling, and engineering firms and service providers currently active in the market in this segment.

For a service provider in the recycling and environmental technology market, we analyzed selected market segments in the environmental technology market and identified attractive companies as part of a buy & build strategy.

For a supplier of components for residential ventilation systems, we analyzed market size, competitive situation and market trends in the German market. The analysis served as a basis for the targeted strategic further development of the supplier.

For a supplier of mechanical components, we investigated the European market for hydropower turbines and identified the leading manufacturers in the hydropower turbine market. Although the industry is highly consolidated and dominated by two leading players, numerous medium-sized industry players still exist, but are subject to strong cost pressure in the industry.

In the context of the planned sale of two leading service providers in the European market for submetering (heating cost billing in apartment buildings), we analyzed the market situation, growth prospects, trends, market shares and regulatory framework for our client, who was interested in investing in the market.

FOCUS: CHALLENGING NICHES AND INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES

Many of our energy market analyses examine technologically demanding markets with niche character and innovative, future-oriented market segments. Particularly on such topics, there is often little specific information in purchase market studies by major market researchers that could be used as the basis for an important strategic decision.

Against this background, the appropriate research approach is critical to success in order to arrive at a reliable market valuation: Our analysts conduct thorough research in all relevant secondary sources and use our extensive tools and databases in the energy sector for this purpose. Access to a comprehensive network of expert contacts also gives us the opportunity to develop deep insights into the market from the perspective of industry participants and experts.

EXPERIENCE SINCE 2007 - OUR REFERENCES

Managing directors, sales managers, strategy and business development managers at more than 100 client companies rely on our meticulous market analyses for one central reason: the uncompromising quality and resilience of the results of our market analyses. Our demanding customers also appreciate the personal and open cooperation with our team and express this in numerous references - please get an impression yourself.

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Trustful personal cooperation and the high quality and resilience of our analyses are top priorities at MEYER INDUSTRY RESEARCH.

 We would be happy to advise you intensively and without obligation in the run-up to a possible cooperation on a market study, if desired also at a personal appointment at your site. We look forward to your inquiry!

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