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Patenting Trends in Eco-Innovation

Generation and Transformation of Energy

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Eco-innovation is a broad concept and is reflected in a large number of technical fields. One important example of a technology which is pivotal for tackling climate change is the generation and transformation of energy. This backgrounder looks at the development of patent applications in this area which were filed at the EPO between 1998 and 2007.

The portion of energy-related patent applications is still small, but growing fast.

The share of energy-related patent applications is comparatively low and constitutes only 1.3% of the total of the applications filed with the EPO in that period. The average annual growth rate in that field is 10%, compared to the overall growth of 6%.

Energy related patent applications with the EPO (1998 – 2007) 

Developments are clearly focused on new and alternative energy sources while traditional and nuclear technologies are growing slowly.

Nearly half of all energy-related patent applications concern emerging technologies (47.9%), while mature technologies (mainly oil, gas, coal) and nuclear technologies account for a share of 29.6% and 22.5% respectively. Overall, emerging technologies achieve a remarkably high annual growth rate of 16%. Fuel cells, wind and solar thermal energy stand out as leaders within this sub-category, with average increases of 22%, 31% and 11% per year. Mature energy technologies using engines or turbines (8%) as well as nuclear energy technologies (2%) are growing much more slowly.

Growth of emerging energy-related technologies

Europe is well positioned in the field of energy generation and transformation technologies when compared to Japan or the United States of America.

Nearly half of these applications come from Europe (48%), followed by the US (23%) and Japan (21%). When looking at the total of patent applications with the EPO in all technological areas, European filers account for 49% of applications, while 25% originate in the United States and 16% in Japan. Europeans are the leaders in wind and tidal energies, as well as in the conversion of solar into thermal energy. US applicants are strong in the fields of hydropower and biomass. Meanwhile, the Japanese excel in fuel cells and photovoltaic processes.

Energy-related patent applications by regions of origin

Most applications related to the generation and transformation of energy come from US, Japan and the EPO states. “Other states” include mainly Canada, Korea, Australia and Taiwan and are showing an increase of 20% per year.

Leading countries in emerging energy technologies 1998-2007

Energy majors are not represented among the largest patent applicants in energy generation and transformation.

The largest patent applicants in the field of energy generation and transformation include large multinational electronics companies, car manufacturers and aircraft engine producers, as well as nuclear technology firms. Amongst the 50 largest applicants in the field of energy production and transformation only one company is from the field of fossil energy production (Shell).

Largest applicants in energy generation related technologies 1998-2007

The first 25 companies account for 31% of the total of energy applications. Companies marked in bold are listed among the Fortune 500 top ten industry companies

Analysis and political implications:

• Large patent numbers are not the only indicator of innovation activities and should not be overrated. However, low figures should not be underestimated either.
• There is clearly still room for development, even if it can be said that Europe is well positioned in that growing technology market.
• Europe needs to ensure that its innovative potential can fully unfold under a well-functioning policy system for the promotion of innovation.
• Together with its international partners, Europe needs to look into the role of patents in that context, and examine how the patent system needs to be designed to meet the needs of innovators in the field of eco-innovation. Patent quality will be of central importance.