-
How Much Energy Does Bitcoin Consume?
John Krzesicki Today, Bitcoin consumes as much energy as a small country. This certainly sounds alarming, but the reality is a little more complex.
Our clients design and build generators installed for data centers, factories, distribution centers, commercial buildings, office buildings, grocery stores, and banks for emergency backup, peak shaving, or continuous power. Bitcoin miners utilize data centers for housing and managing their data (server) farms.
Bitcoin is a digital currency powered by many computers worldwide working to maintain the Bitcoin blockchain, a public database of all transactions on the network ever made. Bitcoin miners compete to officially record and verify the transaction and earn bitcoin as a reward. These transactions are verified by solving complex cryptographic and mathematical problems for which Bitcoin miners use a lot of power. The computers that record and verify Bitcoin transactions consume power at a level similar to some countries. The exact amount of energy used by a Bitcoin transaction can vary based on demand.
-
Strong Post-pandemic Growth Expected into 2022-23 for North America
Yosyf Sheremeta SUMMARY. After the GDP declined 3.5% last year, the worst performance in almost 75 years, the US economy is set for a strong comeback. There are many reasons to be optimistic about the economy for the next few years, including strong readings of macro-economic factors combined with the economic cycle reset backed by government initiatives and policies.
Our positive outlook is based on the reviews of key economic indicators, including GDP, unemployment, and inflation.
During H1 2021, we witnessed a strong level of activities and a rebound for many industries. As local governments eased lockdown restrictions, service-oriented industries gained traction and that translated to an overall increase of economic activities across many industries.
We expect this level of rebound to continue and we now expect even stronger overall growth for 2021. The US economy is on track to reach or even surpass the growth level of 1984 – the highest one since 1950s. In the near term, consumer spending will help drive demand and support the strong growth trend.
-
Edge Computing Brings Data Closer To Home
John Krzesicki It’s often said that there’s nothing new under the sun, only new ways of doing old things. That may be especially true in how we handle data.
Ever since Power Systems Research began tracking global production of engines and powertrains in 1976, its analysts have been alert to new trends surrounding power and data movement.
Today, as three essential metrics in data handling change— cloud costs, volume and processing time—, the structure of data networks also is changing. In many cases, it’s not practical to send vast amounts of data to the cloud to be processed and then wait for the results. Now, it’s often necessary to have smaller data centers located near the activity, at the edge of the action, if you will.
-
Gen-Set Sales Plateau as Supply Chain Catches Up in Q1 2021
Joe Zirnhelt SUMMARY: Our PowerTrackerTM dealer and distributor survey of 200 respondents reported that overall gen-set sales declined in Q1 2021 down 7.4% from Q4 2020 levels. This decrease follows three consecutive quarters in 2020 where dealers reported overall sales increases of 4.5% in Q2 2020 followed by 11.9% in Q3 2020 and 6.3% in Q4 2020.
Although sales were down 7.4% in the first quarter, the results were unique in that there was a different story depending on the fuel and power range being considered.
The data comes from the proprietary PowerTrackerTM series of syndicated surveys conducted each quarter by Power Systems Research. A total of 300 interviews are completed each quarter with gen-set dealers and distributors and businesses across North America.
-
Pandemic Reduces Moscow 2021 Oil and Gas Show
Maxim Sakov MOSCOW–The recently-completed Neftegaz (the International Exhibition for Equipment and Technologies for Oil and Gas Industries) trade show held at the Moscow Expocenter was smaller than in the past. This fair is conducted every two years and is a largest local event in the oil and gas industry. This year’s fair was held April 26-29.
It’s a small trade show, and it was even this year than in past years. The number of participants was down from 550 to about 400 companies representing 18 countries. The largest delegations (besides Russia itself) were presented by Germany and China. Germany has set national expositions on the fair.
-
NA Gen-Set Sales Climb in Q4 2020
Joe Zirnhelt SUMMARY: Our PowerTrackerTM dealer and distributor survey of 200 respondents reported that overall gen-set sales continued a positive trend in Q4 2020 up 6.3% from Q3 2020 levels. Sales gains could have been even higher because dealers ran out of inventory. This increase follows a slow start to the year in Q1 2020 where overall dealer reported sales were down 9.8% from Q4 2019 levels followed by successive increases of 4.5% in Q2 2020 and 11.9% in Q3 2020.
Although sales were up 6.3% for the fourth quarter, the results were unique in that there was a different story depending on the fuel and power range being considered. The quarterly sales increase was anchored by abnormally high increases for gaseous fueled units in the 10-50 kW range and moderate to large decreases in the other power ranges of gaseous fuels as well as diesel fueled sets.
The data comes from the proprietary PowerTrackerTM series of syndicated surveys conducted each quarter by Power Systems Research. A total of 500 interviews are completed each quarter with gen-set dealers and distributors and businesses across North America.
-
PowerTracker™ Report: Gen-Set Sales Rebound in Q3 2020
Joe Zirnhelt SUMMARY: Our PowerTrackerTM dealer and distributor survey of 200 respondents reported that gen-set sales recovered some momentum in Q3 2020 up 11.9% from Q2 2020 levels. This increase follows a slow start to the year in Q1 2020 where overall dealer reported sales were down 9.8% from Q4 2019 levels and Q2 2020 where we observed a quarterly increase of 4.5% over the low Q1 2020 levels.
The only part of the market that seemingly did not recover in Q3 2020 was the diesel <20 kW with -8.3% for <10 kW and -3.6% for 10-20 kW. The remainder of diesel (>20 kW) had single digit quarterly increases across the power ranges. The gaseous fueled gen-sets had the most significant rebound this quarter with all power ranges up to 500 kW with a greater than 10% quarterly change – helping to offset the weak first half of 2020 as concerns and shutdowns ensued over COVID-19.
-
Global Recovery: Opportunities and Challenges
SUMMARY. The global economy, especially within the Engine, OEM and Components industries, has felt the immediate impact from COVID: assembly line shutdowns, labor issues, supply chain issues, logistics and transportation to name a few. The pandemic has exposed many weak links in the global economic chain. However, by end of summer, most of these challenges were either completely resolved or temporary solutions had been put in place.
Yosyf Sheremeta Diversification has become the theme during the pandemic recovery, and we expect this trend to continue. Not only are companies looking for new markets and suppliers to grow top and bottom line revenue as well as to minimize risks, but we see a shift into new industries. Furthermore, rapid developments of new technologies create massive opportunities for OEMs and suppliers as well as posing real threats to OEMs that solely rely on traditional products that are powered by fossil fuels.
-
Generac Capitalizes on Series of (Un)fortunate Circumstances
In last month’s issue of PowerTALK™ News, I wrote about how the pandemic was impacting some of the giants of the power generation industry, and Generac stood out as an OEM that had been well-positioned to capitalize on the disruptions in the marketplace.
Tyler Wiegert They were already dominant in home backup power, a household name, and a clear early thought for the many people who were suddenly working and learning from home and searching for a way to make sure they did not lose power. At the same as this enormous upheaval affected our lives, wildfires blazed across California and continue to ravage the state, and hurricanes devastated the Gulf Coast.
While other residential power suppliers ran into supply chain bottlenecks that kept their dealers from being adequately stocked for the surge in demand, Generac managed to keep inventory flowing, leading to profits that are incredible by the standard of what we expect in this time, and a 20.8% jump in their share price in August alone.
-
Briggs & Stratton Files Chapter 11, Sets Sale Agreement
Briggs & Stratton (B&S) one of the largest producers of gasoline engines for outdoor power equipment, and a manufacturer of power generation, pressure washer, lawn and garden, turf care and job site products, has filed Chapter 11 Bankruptcy.
Michael Aistrup The company has obtained $677.5 million in financing, with $265 million committed by KPS and the remaining $412.5 from the company’s existing group of lenders.
B&S also announced it has entered into a definitive stock and asset purchase agreement with KPS Capital Partners. Under the terms of the agreement, an affiliate of KPS formed for purposes of this transaction has agreed to acquire substantially all the company’s assets and assume certain customer, employee and vendor liabilities.
TPI
PSR Truck Production Index
Free quarterly global commercial vehicle production report.
Alternative Power Report
The latest EV and power source news including batteries and fuel cells with analysis by PSR experts.
PowerTALK News
Stay informed each month with insights from Power Systems Research’s analysts working around the world as they identify and comment on important news items in the company’s monthly newsletter.
Subscribe View Archive
OE Link™ Offers
Global
Coverage
OE Link™ database provides OEM products, both On-Road and Off-Road, in 12 regions.
Current Reports
Download complimentary reports that show the type of information available from Power Systems Research.
PowerTALK News
Stay informed each month with insights from Power Systems Research analysts working around the world as they identify and comment on important news items in the company’s monthly newsletter.
Subscribe