Interest in telecom infrastructure and network expansion in emerging regions across the globe is fuelling investments in direct current (DC) power systems.
Opportunities will be ample in Southeast Asia, Africa and the Middle East, where new network build outs and expansion of existing networks are driving demand for DC power systems. Mature markets in the regions of North America and Western Europe are expected to be less lucrative.
New analysis from Frost & Sullivan, Analysis of the Global DC Power Systems Market, finds that the market earned revenues of $3.96 billion in 2013 and estimates this to reach $5.08 billion in 2020. The study covers low-power, medium-power, and high-power DC systems. Medium-power DC systems have consistently displayed higher growth rates than the other two segments.
“The telecom segment will continue to be the dominant end-user for DC power systems globally,” said Frost & Sullivan Energy & Environmental Senior Industry Analyst Anu Elizabeth Cherian. “To avoid excessive dependence on the telecom segment, DC power system manufacturers could popularize the high-voltage DC concept in the enterprise and data center markets.”
Nonetheless, lack of product differentiation makes it difficult to penetrate new end-user segments. Market maturity, increased consolidation, and intense price competition add to manufacturers’ woes.
“DC power system manufacturers must actively innovate to enhance efficiency, provide superior configurations to customers, and boost versatility as well as the cost competitiveness of their products,” noted Cherian. “Combining this with a focus on the mega trends revolving around economic growth, infrastructure build-outs, and urbanization to formulate appropriate futuristic strategies will be essential to attain higher traction in this mature market.”
