Micro turbine – Market Analysis & Opportunity Assessment, 2014 - 2020

Powering the Future: The Rise of Micro Turbines in Off-Grid and Renewable Energy Markets

The growth of the micro turbine market is expected to be driven by several factors, such as rising demand for reliable and continuous power supply, increasing adoption of renewable energy sources, and the rising need for distributed power generation.

Some of the growth opportunities in the microturbine market are:

Rising demand for off-grid power generation

Microturbines are best suitable for off-grid power generation as they can function independently of a centralized grid. They can be used in isolated locations or areas with unreliable power supply, like oil and gas fields, mining sites, and rural communities. The demand for off-grid power generation is increasing, especially in emerging economies, where access to electricity is limited. This presents a substantial growth opportunity for the micro turbine market.

Growing adoption of renewable energy sources

Rising propensity towards renewable energy sources, like solar and wind is driving the demand for micro turbines. These turbines can be used in conjunction with renewable energy sources to provide a stable and uninterrupted power supply. They can also be used to convert waste gas or biogas into electricity, making them an ideal option for the biogas industry. The increasing adoption of renewable energy sources is further anticipated to offer new opportunities for market growth.

Increasing use in commercial and residential applications

Micro turbines are not only limited to industrial applications but are also gaining prominence in residential and commercial applications. These turbines can be used as backup power systems for data centers, hospitals, and other valuable infrastructure. In residential application, micro turbines can become a reliable power source during power cuts. Thus, rising use of micro turbines in commercial and residential applications is presenting various growth opportunities for the micro turbine market.

Technological advancements

Advancements in micro turbine technology are opening new growth opportunities in the market. Companies are developing micro turbines with lower emissions and higher efficiency making them more competitive with conventional power sources. The incorporation of micro turbines with energy storage systems and smart grids is also anticipated to favor micro turbine market.

Some recent trends prevalent in the micro turbine are:

Integration with energy storage systems: Micro turbines are being integrated with energy storage systems, like flywheels or batteries, to provide a more stable and reliable source of energy. This enables better management of peak demand and enhanced energy security.

Use in hybrid power systems: Micro turbines are being utilized in hybrid power systems. They combine multiple energy sources, like solar, wind, and micro turbines, to maintain a continuous supply power supply.

Micro turbines are small turbines that act as prime movers for electricity generators. These turbines work on gaseous and liquid fuels and can also run on exhaust gases. These turbines also produce power along with usable exhaust heat, termed as combined heat and power. Power generated by these turbines is economical when compared to conventional power generation sources. These micro turbine-based systems are also preferred for captive power generation. Micro turbines are considered as reliable and cleaner sources or equipment for power generation as their assembly consists of less number of moving parts. In addition, these turbines, when compared to reciprocating engines, produce lesser emissions. The aforementioned parameters help micro turbines reduce down time and lower the maintenance and operation cost. However, micro turbines cost higher than conventional engines due to their complex design features.

Micro turbines are usually preferred for distributed generation and waste heat recovery systems. Some limitations such as low electrical efficiency and high initial investment cost hamper the rapid adoption of micro turbines across industries. Developments in technology and micro turbine systems indicate an opportunity for use as power backup for residential units. The quality of low exhaust gas emission makes this technology attractive to research and development institutions such as U.S.EPA and other companies in further exploring its potential. Currently, the micro turbine market represents low volume and high growth market. It is expected to exhibit a double-digit CAGR under 20% over the next five years. Some of the market players include Capstone Turbine Corporation, Dynamo Micropower, GE Power & Water's Distributed Power, Ballard Power System, Bladon Jets, and other power equipment and technology providing companies.