By Liz Enbysk

SGN Managing Editor

.

We've gathered a mixed bag of new research on smart grid markets, beginning with a quick look back at merger and acquisition activity in 2011 with some observations on what's to come. Following that we take a look at growth forecasts for flywheel energy storage and the pathways to a lower carbon and more electrified future as outlined in a new Equinox Blueprint report. 

Smart grid M&A activity 2011: A week ago we asked in our Tuesday Topic discussion forum if this is the year to sell your smart grid company and we got some interesting perspectives. So we thought we should follow up with a just-released report from Memoori Research that sheds light on smart grid M&A and investment activity last year and a look at what's to come. According to the Memoori report, the value of pure Smart Grid M&A deals grew from $134 million in 2007 to $10.6 billion in 2011. There were 49 deals in 2011 with an average value of $225 million, which reflects fewer deals than 2010 but a significantly higher average value. Looking ahead, Memoori researchers believe a gloomy economic outlook will lead to the value of the deals falling off over the next three years, not returning to 2011 levels until 2015. You can learn more about the report at the Memoori website and/or add your comments on the outlook for M&A activity in the smart grid space in our forum.

Flywheel energy storage:  The global outlook for flywheel energy storage is a 12% compound annual growth rate for the 2010-2014 period according to a new report offering from Research and Markets.  According to the report, one of the key factors contributing to this market growth is the participation of governments in boosting the market. Increasing investments in R&D is another. The emergence of microgrids that require storage of electricity for load balancing are expected to boost adoption of flywheel systems. However, the report acknowledges the market faces a couple of challenges, one being the high cost of flywheel energy storage systems; another being the lack of technical know-how among potential users. Get details on this report in SGN's report store >>

Pathways to a lower carbon, more electrified future: The Waterloo Global Science Initiative (WGSI) assembled a group of scientists, policy advisors, entrepreneurs and leaders last year to consider a fresh approach to what science and technology can deliver to tackle our global energy challenges. From that, participants developed the Equinox Blueprint: Energy 2030 - a detailed view of the highest impact energy technologies, with a set of implementation strategies; a roadmap to a cleaner and more sustainable energy future. The report outlines five technological strategies and implementation steps:

·         Energy storage technologies to enable renewable electricity generation

·         Enhanced geothermal, tapping into the Earth's heat using techniques we've already mastered

·         Advanced nuclear reactors for enhanced safety, utilizing inexhaustible resources (recycled uranium, thorium, and high level wastes) to close the fuel cycle

·         Off-grid electrification using flexible solar cells and self-sustaining microgrids

·         Smart cities and electric transport for a global future dominated by urban living

Download Equinox Blueprint: Energy 2030 >>