H2Tech - Q3 2022 - 10

BUSINESS TRENDS
3 yr of growth to the end of 2019, contrasted with a simultaneous
decline of patents in relation to fossil fuels.
However, the drivers behind this growth are not energy
supply technologies. For example, patent filings in the wind
and solar energy fields dropped in the 5 yr leading to 2019
compared to the preceding 5 yr, despite still being significantly
higher than 2000-2009 levels. It appears that these
technologies have reached a stage of maturity where, while
inventive activity is still prevalent, we cannot expect the radical
step changes needed to meet climate change goals.
For these changes to be realized, we must look to innovation
in energy storage and grid management solutions that
integrate renewable energy sources into the energy supply
more efficiently and at a larger scale. We will also need to
look at end-use sectors, such as electric vehicles and heating,
where innovation is required to shift reliance away from fossil
fuels to renewably sourced electricity.
Compared to the reduction in inventive activity in energy
supply technologies, the EPO and IEA report2
shows
increased inventive activity in batteries, hydrogen, fuel cells
and smart grids. In terms of end-use sectors, the report identifies
electric vehicles as the most powerful driver of innovation
in low-carbon energy technologies over the past decade.
Takeaway. While the patent landscape offers hope of significant
breakthroughs in the drive to net-zero, it should also
be noted that the EPO and the IEA emphasize that a need
GEORGINA AINSCOW specializes in drafting and
prosecuting patent applications in electronics and
computing. Ainscow joined Reddie & Grose in 2015,
and previously worked as a partner at another Londonbased
firm of patent attorneys for 5 yr. She works on patent
cases in physics, engineering, electronics, software and
business methods. She has extensive experience drafting
and prosecuting patent applications and representing clients at hearings
before the UK and the EPO. Ainscow also advises on invention harvesting,
international patent portfolio management and IP strategy.
remains for more rapid innovation for the energy sector to
reach net-zero emissions. The radical change that is necessary
depends on contributions from additional technologies yet
to be invented, let alone patented and successfully brought to
market. To encourage this shift, governments would be wise
to step in to boost funding for research and development into
new technologies and areas that could have the potential to
outperform the market leaders. These technologies will not
attract large private investment without the initial public sector
support to get them off the ground.
LITERATURE CITED
1
Climate Analytics, " 1.5°C pathways for Europe: Achieving the highest plausible
climate ambition, " October 2021, online: https://climateanalytics.org/media/15pathwaysforeurope_2.pdf
2
European
Patent Office, International Energy Agency, " Patents and the energy
transition: Global trends in clean energy technology innovation, " April 2021,
online: https://iea.blob.core.windows.net/assets/b327e6b8-9e5e-451d-b6f4cbba6b1d90d8/Patents_and_the_energy_transition.pdf
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10 Q3 2022 | H2-Tech.com
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05-08-2022 17:32:32

https://www.climateanalytics.org/media/1-5pathwaysforeurope_2.pdf https://www.climateanalytics.org/media/1-5pathwaysforeurope_2.pdf https://iea.blob.core.windows.net/assets/b327e6b8-9e5e-451d-b6f4-cbba6b1d90d8/Patents_and_the_energy_transition.pdf https://iea.blob.core.windows.net/assets/b327e6b8-9e5e-451d-b6f4-cbba6b1d90d8/Patents_and_the_energy_transition.pdf http://www.atlascopco-gap.com http://www.H2-Tech.com

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