A power industry analysis is a means of determining the trends, challenges, and opportunities that are found in different methods of energy generation. This can be an overview of several different kinds of power or a focused review of one or a small group of energy sources. An analysis can cover many means of generating sources of power such as oil, water, and wind. Power industry analysis is a common practice among financial analysts and other individuals involved in forecasting the stock market.
One common subject of a power industry analysis is the study of traditional markets such as those for oil, coal, and natural gas. An analysis may also include less traditional sources of energy such as solar and wind power. Nuclear energy is another factor that analysts may consider.
A power industry analysis typically attempts to determine the trends, threats, and opportunities associated with each kind of energy. While fossil fuels have traditionally been strong, there are several factors, such as pollution, the development of new methods of producing energy, and limited resources, which could affect the market. Companies that manage the production of green energy from sources such as wind, water, and sun tend to grow steadily, but struggle to maintain profitability in their early stages.
Historically, there have been dramatic changes in the methods used to generate energy. For this reason, a power industry analysis is often most effective when it not only examines the current dominant energy source, but also trends in new forms of power. This can help an analyst to create a forecast that anticipates emerging resources and declining methods of generating power.
A power industry analysis will also typically involve researching both specific companies and groups of related businesses. For example, it could include an analysis of several solar energy firms. It may also involve examining the strategies of traditional energy companies as they incorporate new sources of power into their business structure.
Trends in the power industry tend to follow a few common paths. The availability of natural resources can affect an analysis, from conflicts that affect a nation’s acquisition of crude oil to natural disasters which can dramatically affect the supply of a certain energy source. Public, governmental and industry support of different power sources can also affect an analysis, from controversial energy sources such as nuclear energy to trends that take time to develop such as wind and solar power.
