The Next Hot Market for 2015
What will be the next hot market for 2015? If we only had a crystal ball we all could retire earlier than later.
Bottom line: 2015 will bring continuing growth for wi-fi embedded solutions, LED lighting solutions, wind and solar power solutions – dependent on rebates from local utilities and the federal government.
Wi-Fi energy management market
McKinsey completed an independent study that estimates that more than US$1.8 trillion in building energy waste could be saved in the U.S. alone.
Over 10 years with a total investment of only $520 billion. Other sources estimate that U.S./Canadian buildings waste 60% to 80% of the US$350 billion in annual energy consumption. McKinsey estimates that more than 25% of the approximate US$215 billion in annual building energy waste, or $55 billion, could be saved through the use of intelligent device controls for HVAC, lighting, plug loads, and auxiliary equipment. Intelligent controls generally offer the most rapid return on investment from energy savings.
Approximately 99% of the electrical devices in use in commercial buildings in the U.S./Canada lack intelligent networked controls. Building automation systems and advanced controls are typically used in only the largest commercial buildings and then only for controlling centralized HVAC systems. These buildings represent less than 3% of all U.S./Canadian commercial buildings.
Programmable thermostats and simple lighting controls (occupancy sensors, timers, photo cells) are used in many commercial buildings and homes, but these individual control devices are neither networked in an intelligent energy management system nor do they measure and report energy consumption. Wired control systems have been available for decades but have very high installed costs.
LED energy savings solutions
We have seen the price drop for LED products during 2014. We will continue the trend during 2015. When we consider the rebates for local utilities and tax credit programs, this demand for these products at the commercial/industrial level will continue to growth in 2015.
Wind/solar markets
Wind energy is one of the fastest growing major sources of new electricity around the world. From 2012 to 2014, global wind energy capacity grew by 19%, with the wind industry installing a record level of 44,711 MW of new clean, reliable wind power. Today, there are over 150,000 wind turbines operating around the world in over 90 countries.
While wind energy has enjoyed growing success in many countries for several decades, it is a relatively new contributor to the power system here in Canada. As such, it is natural to have questions.
The WindFacts website is an initiative of wind energy industry leaders whose goal is to ensure Canadians have access to fact-based answers to their questions so that they can make informed decisions about our energy future. I suggest that those who want to consider this opportunity visit this website. It’s a good first step.
CanWEA believes we can and must reach a target of producing 20% or more of our electricity from clean wind energy.
Achieving this vision will pay huge dividends for local communities and provincial economies:
• generating $79 billion of investment that will make Canada’s wind energy sector a real player in a $1.8 trillion global wind industry
• creating at least 52,000 high quality, full-time jobs, including many in rural communities
• producing $165 million in new annual revenues for municipalities
• adding 55,000 MW of clean generating capacity that will strengthen our electrical grids and head off potential power shortages
• stabilizing electricity prices because unlike other energy sources like natural gas there is no price volatility and risk to consumers from rising energy supply costs
Solar energy products will also continue to grow at a slower rate, owing to its dependence on local utility and federal rebates.
Listed below are just a few major projects for 2014/2015.
• Mississippi Mills Canada, Ontario 14 MW Developer/EPC
• Glengarry Canada, Ontario 13.4 MW Developer/EPC
• Edwardsburgh Canada, Ontario 9. 3 MW Developer/EPC
Below is a link to a sample list of recent projects and studies led by Clean Energy Institute. Some of the projects were feasibility analysis studies conducted with the assistance of students at the Clean Energy Institute of GPEKS. Note that this list is by no means comprehensive.
TitleTechnologyLocation
30kW Solar PV for Grassroots Church
Solar Photovoltaic Thunder Bay
7-10 MW Commercial Solar Farm – Due Diligence
Solar Photovoltaic Ontario
Commercial Rooftop Solar PV
Solar Photovoltaic Brampton
Grid-tied Roadside Solar PV
Solar Photovoltaic Ontario
Solar Photovoltaic at Bell High School
Solar Photovoltaic Ottawa
Solar Photovoltaic at Munster Public School
Solar Photovoltaic Munster
Solar PV for Plaza Pontiac in Toronto
Solar Photovoltaic Ontario
Solar PV Irrigation for Tree Farm
Solar Photovoltaic Alberta
Solar PV Vehicle Charging Station
Solar Photovoltaic Windsor
10 MW c-Si Solar Power at a Thunder Bay
Solar Photovoltaic Ontario
10 MW CdTe Solar Power
Solar Photovoltaic Ontario
10 MW CIGS Solar Power at Ottawa International Airport
Solar Photovoltaic Ontario
10MW Solar Power at Dryden Regional Airport
Solar Photovoltaic Ontario
2015 will be changing for all us, but hopefully we will also see a more industrial. Commercial and gas and oil markets as well.
Paul Eitmant is President and CEO of IP Group International, which serves the needs of business-to-business enterprises in over 30 countries worldwide by adding specialized expertise to the business planning and implementation process; Tel: 480.488.5646; paulipgroup@cox.net.
