Global Direct Methanol Fuel Cell Market - 2022-2029

Global Direct Methanol Fuel Cell Market - 2022-2029

Market Overview

The global direct methanol fuel cell market reached US$ XX million in 2021 and is expected to reach US$ XX million by 2029, growing at a CAGR of XX% during the forecast period (2022-2029).

Most fuel cells are sourced from hydrogen, which is directly fed to the fuel cell system or can be generated within the fuel cell system by reforming hydrogen-rich fuels such as methanol and hydrocarbon fuels. However, a direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) is powered by pure methanol, mixed with water and fed to the fuel cell anode. Methanol is easier to transport and supply to the public using the current infrastructure because it is a liquid. DMFCs provide power for portable fuel cell applications such as laptops or cell phones.

Direct methanol fuel cells operate without moving parts. As a result, they operate quietly compared to combustion engines and require less maintenance. Due to the lack of moving parts, there is no mechanical friction and thus hardly any significant wear. It is a powerful argument for users who are curious about the technology or want to buy a direct methanol fuel cell. Low maintenance requirements decrease application downtime and operating costs in the long term. Renewable energy sources are gaining in importance. However, solar modules depend on continuous sunshine. During periods of darkness, power generation is idle. The direct methanol fuel cell cam fills this gap. The direct methanol fuel cell switches on and bridges the supply if the solar panel cannot supply power due to bad weather.

Market Dynamics

The global direct methanol fuel cell market is expected to boost with the rising demand for alternative fuels.

Rising demand for alternative fuels

As the global economy demands an energy transition that will change the energy landscape's future, new alternative fuels are arriving at the fore. Hydrogen has been attaining traction as a clean alternative fuel as it emits water upon combustion. However, there are several inherent challenges with the handling, production and consumption of hydrogen with the state of technology. It is expensive to produce clean hydrogen from renewable origins. As a gas, hydrogen also needs capital-intensive infrastructure for transport and storage.

Direct methanol fuel cells do not have many fuel storage problems typical of fuel cell systems because methanol has a higher energy density than hydrogen, though less than diesel fuel or gasoline. Compared to hydrogen-powered fuel cells, a direct methanol fuel cell system eliminates challenges linked to handling and distribution, low volumetric energy density and infrastructure investments. Methanol is considered tomorrow's hydrogen today. Being a liquid under ambient conditions, methanol can be stored, handled and transported with ease by leveraging the existing infrastructure that supports methanol trade. Methanol reformers can generate on-demand hydrogen during use to avoid the complexity and high cost associated with the logistics of hydrogen as a fuel.

Issues related to CO poisoning

Low-temperature fuel cells such as direct methanol fuel cells promise energy conversion devices and ongoing research projects for electric vehicles and portable devices. However, carbon monoxide and sulfur poisoning deactivate the platinum catalyst utilization. CO poisoning, one of the most harmful catalysts deactivating processes, is a crucial issue, especially for platinum group metal catalysts in methanol fuel cells.

During alcohol oxidation, adsorbed CO molecules developed as reaction intermediates hamper the reaction by blocking the active sites. Pt offers high reactivity toward methanol fuel, rendering Pt metal an ideal electrocatalyst for the anode electrode in the DMFC system. Nevertheless, during the MOR of Pt catalyst, carbon monoxide, i.e., the intermediate species, forms on the surface of Pt particles, thus poisoning the catalyst surface. Thus, some efforts are required to overcome the problem of the formation of poisonous species on the Pt particle's surface so that they don't cover up the active site areas of Pt.

COVID-19 Impact Analysis

The COVID-19 outbreak of 2020 had led to reduced investments in research and development on fuel cell technology and harmed advanced applications of fuel cells as complex energy systems. COVID‐19 has been positive for some of its end-users and negative for several other companies. Some surveys have reported that consumer electronics are likely to be the most affected industry by the COVID‐19 outbreak, just like industrial and automotive. The areas are likely to be influenced more than other commerce due to their resilient engineering capability in China and supply chains that depend mostly on the U.S, China and Europe.

Every day, the number of patients and deaths increases immensely, while typical drugs for this virus are still being developed. Hospitals struggled to accommodate patients, resulting in numerous temporary hospitals. The makeshift hospitals need an uninterrupted power supply to continuously maintain all the electrical facilities. Fuel cells, especially, play a vital role in meeting the further energy needs of humankind during this critical moment.

Segment Analysis

The global direct methanol fuel cell market is segmented based on component, application and region.

Rising use of methanol fuel cells for rechargeable battery technology will boost the demand for consumer electronics

Based on application, the global direct methanol fuel cell market is segmented into consumer electronics, backup power, military, transportation and others.

Advanced human societies need specialized tools and equipment to allow their diverse and mobile activities. Portable electronic devices like laptops, handphones, etc., are essential tools for many people in their daily lives. The rechargeable batteries utilized to power the portable electronic devices can be improved regarding power density. There is a critical need for renewable, efficient and more environmentally friendly power sources. Many researchers have shown that the direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) is an appropriate alternative to rechargeable battery technology, although many factors should be resolved before it is commercialized.

Direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) are energy converters. They have key features such as high energy density, simple construction, low operating temperature and easy storage of methanol fuel and hence these are considered potential candidates for portable applications. Among the fuel cell types, the direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) is the most feasible candidate for Li-ion batteries as the power source for portable applications in the future and is now under rapid development. It is mainly because of its high energy density, simple structure and rapid operation.

The rapid advances made in renewable technologies have the positive side-effect of improvements in energy storage technologies for all applications. Apple, one of the major brands in consumer electronics, has made some waves in the battery market by submitting a patent for a proton exchange membrane fuel cell that could power its iPads and MacBooks in the future. According to Apple's application, fuel cells have an energy density high enough to keep portable electronic devices running without charging for many days or even weeks. Besides hydrogen fuel, Apple has also considered other fuels for its fuel cell system. The application includes solid oxide fuel cells and direct methanol fuel cells.

Geographical Analysis

Rising number of power outages in developing countries will boost the demand in Asia-Pacific

Methanol and Dimethyl ether can play an important role in containing the rising imports and improving India's energy security. Methanol is an efficient fuel that emits fewer particulate matter than Petrol & Diesel and produces no SOx as there is no sulfur in methanol. Realizing the potential of using methanol and DME as a transportation fuel in road transport, shipping and rail, DST launched its MDME program in September 2015. The Methanol Economic promises to help India mitigate its petroleum import cost and counter the problem associated with global warming due to excess CO2 emissions. DST actively contributed to preparing Roadmaps for Methanol DME and Dimethyl ether.

In India, DST initiated a significant development program to produce methanol from various sources, including coal and CO2 from thermal plants, steel plants etc. The program's major objective is to use routes hitherto unexplored but having future potential and requiring research interventions viz development of methanol utilization in direct methanol fuel cell, development of engines fuelled on methanol and DME etc.

Electric cars are the future vehicles and there is a proven hybrid system for extending their mileage. Direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) provide safe, lightweight onboard battery charging that can free car owners from worrying about running out of power. The hybrid system includes a DMFC fuel cell, fuel cell cartridge and electric vehicle batteries. The fuel cell operates almost silently with virtually no exhaust. It is immune to extreme weather. The convenient fuel cartridges feature extremely high energy density, providing vehicle owners with a lightweight, efficient and onboard power source.

Numerous Indian metropolises encounter occasional power outages. If the power remains off for more hours, important applications such as monitoring systems and environmental sensors no longer work and must be painstakingly restarted afterward. According to the India residential energy survey in 2019 and 2020, over half of the rural households had electricity outages a few times per day.

In 2021, SFC Energy AG, a major provider of direct methanol fuel cells for stationary and mobile hybrid power solutions, has completed a smart city project in Itanagar in cooperation with its FC TecNrgy Pvt Ltd., the System. SFC Energy deployed 30 EFOY Pro 2400 fuel cells. In the smart city applications, the EFOY Pro 2400 fuel cell, with its power of 110 watts, functions as a reliable and environmentally friendly emergency power generator connected with a compact 50 Ah battery pack. In a power outage, it can permanently bridge downtimes of up to 100 hours with only 10 liters of methanol.

Competitive Landscape

The global direct methanol fuel cell market is consolidated with limited brands available in the market. Major players in the market include Advent Technologies Holdings, Inc, Blue World Technologies, Ballard Power Systems, Inc., Element 1, Palcan Energy, SFC Energy AG, Oorja Protonics, Viaspace Inc, Fujikura Ltd, Johnson Matthey, among others.

The players in the market are known to incorporate numerous market strategies to achieve growth in the global direct methanol fuel cell market; these include mergers, agreements, acquisitions, product launches and collaborations.

For instance, in 2020, Toyota Tsusho Corporation signed an agreement with SFC Energy AG for exclusive marketing of compact fuel cells in Japan. The company aims to diversify customers of compact fuel cells and work to strengthen relationships to expand sales in Asia-Pacific in the future. SFC also has cutting-edge technology for direct methanol fuel cells and has sold more than 45,000 units worldwide.

In 2021, SerEnergy launched its 4th generation of fuel cell units, called SereneU. The product introduces many advantages, such as less service, longer lifetime and maintenances and improved total cost of ownership.

Advent Technologies Holdings, Inc

Overview: Advent Technologies Holdings, Inc. develops, manufactures and assembles fuel cell systems and the components for fuel cells in the renewable energy sector. The company is headquartered in Massachusetts, with offices in California, Denmark, Germany, Greece and the Philippines. With over 190 patents issued, licensed or pending for its fuel cell, Advent holds the IP for HT-PEM that enables various fuels to function at high temperatures under extreme conditions, offering a flexible “Any Fuel. Anywhere.” for the automotive, defense, aviation, oil and gas, marine and power generation sectors.

Product Portfolio:

Direct Methanol Fuel Cell: The 5kW fuel cells excel at challenging power applications that depend on self-maintenance and remote monitoring. For critical power and backup, the methanol fuel system is perfect. It goes for off-grid installations in remote sites. Still, for the grid-connected site, a renewable energy system offers all the economic advantages of a conventional grid-tied system like net metering and merges them with the self-sufficiency of an off-grid system.

Key Development: In 2021, Advent Technologies Holdings, Inc completed the acquisitions of Serenergy A/S and Fischer eco-solutions GmbH to drive forward the fuel cell stack systems across world markets.

Why Purchase the Report?

To visualize the global direct methanol fuel cell market segmentation by component, application and region and understand key commercial assets and players.

Identify commercial opportunities in the global direct methanol fuel cell market by analyzing trends and co-development.

Excel data sheet with numerous direct methanol fuel cell market-level data points with four segments.

PDF report consisting of cogently put together market analysis after exhaustive qualitative interviews and in-depth market study.

Component mapping available in excel consists of key products of all the major market players.

The global direct methanol fuel cell market report would provide approximately 53 tables, 45 figures and almost 218 pages.

Target Audience 2022

Service Providers/ Buyers

Industry Investors/Investment Bankers

Education & Research Institutes

Research Professionals

Emerging Companies

Manufacturers

Logistics companies

Distributors