Energy Market Research

We do reports on the newest trends in renewables and their integration into the energy system.

We combine cutting-edge analyses and vast energy industry knowledge. Our customers include companies from the renewable energy sector as well as government agencies in the field of international development cooperation.

Commercial storage market ranking

Three projects with a leading storage system integrator revealed: more and more battery storage business models are viable in the commercial and industrial segment (C&I). Together with Micropowr, we developed a methodology for the worldwide assessment of the market potential. The client now knows which countries and industry sectors to focus on – and has a reliable database for potential investors. (2020)

Hydrogen’s role for greenhouse gas mitigation

Is the hydrogen economy really coming this time? Local suppliers, the gas industry and now the German government – everyone agrees that the complete energy transition requires electrolysis. Will the 2020s be what the 1990s were for photovoltaics? In an article for the renowned PV Magazine, we analyze the most promising use cases for green hydrogen in industry and in the transport sector. (2020)

A new deal for the German energy system

The expected tripling of electricity consumption through sector coupling will have fundamental effects on the functional logic of energy markets. Starting points include the ambitious expansion of solar and wind power plants, the establishment of connected supply cells and a capacity mechanism for grid-connected electricity generation. The discussion paper elaborates ideas for regulatory measures in Germany. (2020)

Database for Chile’s hydrogen strategy

We conducted an extensive study for the development of Chile’s hydrogen strategy in cooperation with the local consulting firm In-Data (CDT). The extensive report includes energy market analyses, cost projections and comparisons as well as local and global market forecasts. The results were discussed in a series of workshops and conferences in different regions. The key recommendation was to develop national H2 demand in Chile and open export markets. (2019)

Battery storage market primer

Battery storage is the technology that the energy transition needed, the missing link to achieving increasing shares of renewable energy. The paper gives an overview on the recent developments in battery storage, highlighting the price development and potential business models. However, it also underscores that electric energy storage is new in many regulatory frameworks and requires relevant adoptions, such as basic definitions and fiscal clarifications. (2018)

Regulatory approaches for renewable heat

This study gives an overview of the instruments applied in Europe to promote the use of renewable energies for heat production. It presents the policies of the European Union and Germany to promote the use of renewable energies for heating and discusses possible approaches for Chile and other transition countries. (2018)

Surveys on quality of photovoltaic components

Together with pv magazine, in both qualitative and quantitative surveys we have highlighted current quality problems of PV modules, inverters and other BOS components. Investors and installers alike stated that hot spots and PID remain relevant problems on the module side. Certificates and quality testing seem to have gained relevance. The results of the study were presented at the pv magazine Quality Roundtable during the Intersolar in Munich. (2017)

Trend analysis for renewables association

For the German Citizen's Energy Association, we have developed a vision of the future of the energy system and derived concrete recommendations for action. Using scenario techniques in moderated workshops, we identified the key factors that have led to the emergence of local producer-consumer communities by means of an online survey. We carried out the project together with l°energy - local energy markets. (2016)

Batteries, bits and business

Market report on new business models that are evolving due to technological developments around storage and digitalization. The chart report gives an overview on dynamics in the German energy market with respect to the direct supply of renewables. The report was elaborated in cooperation with l°energy. (2016)

Global survey for Q CELLS’ quality management

For the fourth time since 2014, BÜRO_F analyzed client satisfaction of the leading manufacturer of photovoltaic modules. This year’s survey included online interviews in six languages and 21 countries. The analysis of the 200 interviews allows the customer to improve its product and service portfolio. The survey fosters the systematic quality management of the company according to ISO 9001 standards. (2020)

Digitalization study for Mexican ministries

A study on the “Role of digitalization in the energy sector for carbon emission reductions” was prepared for the GIZ on behalf of the Mexican government. The preliminary results were presented to the local counterparts of GIZ and other stakeholders in Mexico City. The results revealed that digitalization boosts renewable energy system integration and energy efficiency. Cooperation with Kaltenbach Energy. (2018)

Storage - the fourth pillar of the power system

In a presentation at the renowned Forum Neue Energiewelt, research results on the development of the energy storage sectors have been discussed. A focal point was technological developments and the outlook of competing technologies such as lithium-ion for short-term storage and hydrogen for long-term storage applications. An international outlook reveals: the introduction of power storage is only just starting. (2018)

Spatial planning and renewable energies

BÜRO_F prepared a comprehensive study on spatial planning for GIZ and the Chilean Ministry of Energy. The project identified different approaches to the regional and local planning of wind and photovoltaic systems. One focal point is economic participation models as implemented, for example, in Denmark. (2017)

Building-integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV)

For years, we have been discussing options for integrating photovoltaic modules into the surface of buildings, the main objective being to replace conventional building materials. Despite efforts, progress has been slow. The main reason is the lack of standardization and complexity of such systems and the lack of clarity and consistency in the regulatory framework. The paper gives an overview on the current status of BIPV. (2017)

Regulatory trends in renewable energy self-supply

For GIZ Chile, BÜRO_F conducted a research project on regulatory trends regarding prosumers, self-supply and net-metering. Special focus lies on the analysis of international debates and the responding actions of regulators. As a possible solution, the report elaborates the opportunities of “value of solar” tariffs that remunerate distributed PV generation according to the benefits and costs for the electricity system. (2016)

Energy business lab

How can energy companies, active in generation, transmission and distribution of electricity still earn money in a world of distributed generation? The study assesses the opinion of 42 experts – researchers, consultants and company executives – to delineate trends for the electricity business in the next five years. (2015)