Power Vents

Power supply growth

The worldwide external power supply (EPS) market will grow from $6.7 billion in 2008 to almost $10 billion in 2013 a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.2% predict analysts at the Darnell Group.

The worldwide EPS unit market is expected to grow at a somewhat faster pace, increasing from 2 billion units in 2008 to 3.3 billion units in 2013, a CAGR of 11.1%. Contact Darnell at 951-279-6684, or tshepard@darnell.com

Burgeoning solar

Kansai Electricity and Sharp have announced a solar energy plan for constructing the world’s largest solar energy power plant, located in Sikai, Osaka. The plant will comprise two separate facilities. One operated solely by Kansai Electricity, will supply electricity to the public power grid, while the other will be jointly managed and generate electricity for use at factories owned by the two firms. The companies will place photovoltaic energy panels on top of an LCD panel plant with 18 MW and 10 MW capacity. Both plants will start producing electricity in 2011. According to Sharp, the photovoltaic energy construction would lessen CO2 emissions by 10,000 tons.

Battery shortage solution

The shortage of Li-ion batteries is expected to continue for several months and Panasonic (Secaucus, NJ; www.panasonic.com) offers NiMH batteries as a short-term solution. The company says they were developed to meet the 1.2-V high-energy, small size requirements for portable products.