Comparative patent analysis for the identification of global research trends for the case of battery storage, hydrogen and bioenergy

Manuel Baumann,Tobias Domnik,Martina Haase,Christina Wulf,Philip Emmerich,Christine Rösch,Petra Zapp,Tobias Naegler,Marcel Weil

doi:10.1016/j.techfore.2020.120505

Abstract

Patent documents provide knowledge about which countries are investing in certain technologies and make it possible to identify potential innovation trends. The aim of this article is to analyze trends in patenting that might result in innovations for three energy technologies: thermochemical conversion of biomass (Bioenergy), lithium-ion battery storage, and hydrogen production by alkaline water electrolysis. Based on different patent indicators, the most active countries are compared to provide insights into the global market position of a country, particularly Germany which is used as a reference here. In line with this, a freely available patent analysis software tool was developed directly using the European Patent Office database through their Open Patent Services. The results for named technologies show that patenting activity of Germany is considered lower in comparison to countries such as Japan, China, and the US. Whereas the position of Germany for batteries and hydrogen is comparable, bioenergy shows different results regarding the identified countries and the number of patents found. However, a broader context beyond patenting is suggested for consideration to make robust statements about particular technology trends. The presented tool and methodology in this study can serve as a blueprint for explorative assessments in any technological domain.

Highlights

Science, policy and lawmakers across the globe are stressing that the energy system must be transformed from a fossil-based to a renewable energy-based one to limit temperature rises below 2◦C
First we provide a general analysis of country specific data to provide an overview and first insights for each technological domain.The following results for the technology life cycle curve (TLC) and patent portfoliosare structured in the same way for all three technology domains, representing use cases for the patent analysis tool
Our study offers an overview of current trends in patenting for three selected energy conversion technologies for the energy transition

Summary

Introduction

Policy and lawmakers across the globe are stressing that the energy system must be transformed from a fossil-based to a renewable energy-based one to limit temperature rises below 2◦C. This global en ergy transformation is based on ongoing “energy transitions” in many countries (IRENA, 2019). The international competitiveness of a country as e.g. Ger many as an industrial nation, should be increased or at least not be jeopardized (Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, 2019). Policy-makers seek for technology leadership by their countries for which they need information about their national

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