Energy enabling technologies
Over 30% of clean energy international patent families (IPFs) come from energy enabling technologies. They are critical to unlocking the full potential of clean energy systems.
Energy storage solutions, such as advanced batteries, help balance supply and demand by storing excess renewable power for use when generation is low. Smart grids enhance the reliability and efficiency of electricity distribution, optimising the integration of variable sources like wind and solar. Hydrogen, especially when produced using renewable electricity, offers a flexible, low-carbon energy carrier for hard-to-decarbonize sectors. Continuous innovation in these technologies is essential to creating a stable, resilient and fully decarbonized energy infrastructure.
Dive in
Patents for enhanced electricity grids
The report sheds new light on the dynamics of grid-related innovation, the unsung hero of energy transition, by analysing data on European patent applications from 2001 to 2022.
Technology platform on clean energy technologies
Find thousands of patent applications relating to clean technologies classified by field. This curated platform makes it easy for researchers and inventors to explore the latest inventions by area.
Hydrogen patents for a clean energy future
This study provides a comprehensive, up-to-date analysis of innovation in hydrogen technologies. It is the first study of its kind and covers the full range of technologies, from hydrogen supply to storage, distribution, transformation and end-use applications.
Energy-enabling technologies at a glance
88-104 million km
is the estimated total length of electricity distribution grids worldwide as of 2021.
40 GW
The European Commission's hydrogen strategy sets out a strategic objective of installing 40 GW of renewable hydrogen electrolyser capacity by 2030.
EUR 5.1 bn
invested in battery startups by venture capital in 2023, according to the International Energy Agency
Q&A – Insights from the EPO
- Are enabling technologies really that important for the energy transition?
Yes, they are. You could even say that they oil the wheels of the energy transition. While renewable energy technologies are maturing and finding their way into the energy mix, the main driver of low-carbon energy growth since 2017 has been innovation in cross-cutting technologies such as batteries, hydrogen and smart grids, as well as carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) that serve as key enablers of the energy transition.
As shown in the graph below, low-carbon energy innovation is shifting from supply to end-use and enabling technologies.
- Which end-users for hydrogen are innovating the most?
The automotive industry is filing by far the most patents in hydrogen use (particularly relating to fuel cells). Other notable industries are aviation, along with the iron and steel industry.
- Which regions lead in electrolyser patents and how are they divided by technology type?
Patenting trends in five main sub-technology areas have been identified. These areas are cell operation conditions and structure, electrocatalyst materials, separators (diaphragms, membranes), stackability of electrolysers (stacks) and photoelectrolysis.
As can be seen in the graph, Europe and Japan are the leading filers of international patent families in all five areas.
- Which companies are the most important filers for patents in battery technology?
As illustrated by the graph below, the patent landscape changed slightly with the advent of electric vehicles, which saw car (part) manufacturers enter the field.
Nowadays the most important filers of international patent families in battery technologies are mainly Japanese and Korean large electronics and car manufacturers.
- Are “smart grids” getting even smarter?
Artificial intelligence (AI) is gaining a lot of traction in smart grid innovation. AI patenting grew by over 500% in the five years to 2022 and is now the most active area of patenting among enabling digital technologies, led by the United States and P.R. China.
The main area of AI-related IPFs is the “forecast and decision” category which boasts 39% of AI-related international patent families and drove rapid growth in AI-related electricity grid patenting from 2000 to 2022.
Publications
Dive into a collection of economic studies and insightful reports focused on energy-enabling technologies.
Access a comprehensive selection of economic studies on energy-enabling technologies
The report sheds fresh light on the dynamics of grid-related innovation, the unsung hero of energy transition, by analysing data on European patent applications from 2001 to 2022.
The study examines the transition to low-carbon energy technologies across all sectors of the economy, showing that the pace of innovation has slowed to just a quarter of its level a decade ago.
A global analysis based on patent data underlines the key role that battery innovation is playing in the transition to clean energy technologies.
Innovation case studies
Explore a series of innovation case studies showcasing how companies have successfully leveraged intellectual property in the field of energy supply technologies. These real-world examples highlight the role of IP in driving growth, securing funding and fostering innovation.
It offers one of the first commercialised technologies to use graphene, developing, manufacturing and selling ultracapacitor energy storage cells, modules and systems.
The company introduced their fibre optic measurement technology and has become a major provider of measurement solutions for wind power installations.
Tools
Find startups and investors in the energy-enabling technologies field
The Deep Tech Finder is your gateway to exploring Europe's innovation landscape. Designed for investors, researchers, startups and universities, this free tool connects you with key players in cutting-edge technology fields.
Technology platform on clean-energy technologies
Find thousands of patent applications on clean technologies classified by field. This curated platform makes it easy for researchers and inventors to explore the latest inventions by area.
Podcasts
Patenting trends in hydrogen innovation
Innovation in hydrogen is booming, not only in production, but also in storage and applications. Current hydrogen production relies heavily on fossil fuels, but it doesn’t have to be this way. Electricity from renewable sources using new electrolyser technologies heralds a new era for this clean energy source.
New energy landscapes
The 2022 Patent Index shows that clean energy technologies are driving a surge in patent applications. Our experts discuss the leading countries in this exciting field and offer insights into what is driving innovation in clean energies.
A spin-out story
Building on innovative research from the German Technical University of Munich (TUM), start-up company Fos4X successfully developed and commercialised fibre optical sensor technology that makes wind turbines safer and less vulnerable to severe weather conditions.
Events
Past events organised by the Observatory
Explore the events we hosted and watch video recaps.
