I patents integrating artificial intelligence into electricity grids has increased sixfold in recent years, thanks mainly to the work of the United States and China.’Italy ranks 3rd in the European Union for patents in the electrical network sector, and 5th in Europe, also considering Switzerland and the UK. These are the main findings emerging from the new study conducted byEuropean Patent Office (EPO) and from theInternational Energy Agency (International Energy Agency, IEA).
The report, “Patents for Enhanced Electricity Grids” shows how technologies in the field of electrical networks have surged over the past two decades thanks to advances in digital integration and the development of clean energy solutions that are driving innovation in the electricity sector. Between 2010 and 2022, new software inventions increased by +50% “smart” features” of patents related to physical energy networks.
These innovations include supply and demand forecasting tools and electric vehicle charging methods, the two fastest-growing areas in this category.
L’innovation in electrical infrastructure is one of the fastest growing technology fields in the world. To illustrate the scale of growth, innovation in this sector grew by 2009% per year between 2013 and 30, seven times faster than the average for all other technology sectors. The report, which covers the period from 2001 to 2022, uses global energy patent data to map innovation in physical and smart grid technologies, based on international patent families (IPFs). The data shows a gradual leveling off of growth, but new patent applications remain at a high level in most major countries.
Germany leads in patents in the sector, Italy third in the EU
In Europe, the main countries of origin of patents in the sector are Germany (11%), Switzerland (5%), France (4%), the United Kingdom (2%) and Italy (1%).
Italy is thus positioned in 5th place in Europe and 3rd place in the European Union, representing 1% of the total international patent families (IPFs) in the sector. The distribution of innovation is homogeneous with patents related to “Smart grids” requested by the country at 1% of the total, on a par with those related to physical networks and storage. However, this is a figure with significant growth margins if compared to countries such as Germany, which represents 11% of the total patents, or China which holds 22%.
EU and Japan at the forefront, China advances
The EU and Japan drive innovation in the sector electrical networks, with 22% of all network-related patents between 2011 and 2022, and the United States with 20%.
In the meantime, the China emerges as the fastest growing country in network-related patents. Its share has increased from 7% in 2013 to 25% in 2022, surpassing the EU in 2022 and becoming the region with the highest patenting in this field for the first time.
The Role of Grid-Tech Startups
The study also finds that universities, research institutes and SMEs play a significant role in the innovation of electricity networks. Most of the startup that deal with grid technologies are based in Europe and the United States; 37% of them have filed patent applications, significantly higher than the average of 6% for European startups active in other sectors. This data suggests a strong potential for grid-tech startups to attract venture capital.
“As highlighted in Mario Draghi’s recent report, to ensure economic competitiveness, Europe must take a leading role in developing new clean technologies and accelerate the energy transition by reducing the use of fossil fuels,” said the president of the EPO, António Campinos. “Significant progress has already been made, highlighting the urgency of investing in smarter and more flexible electricity grids to balance the growing demand for energy from renewable sources. This study offers a unique view of patent trends, serving as a roadmap for the transition to a new energy system.”
“Inadequate electricity networks are a barrier to economic activity and access to energy, and make the deployment of clean energy technologies more expensive and complex,” said the IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol. “This study demonstrates that innovators are responding to the often overlooked need for more competitive and flexible grid technologies. The data shows encouraging growth in innovations to expand and maintain critical grid infrastructure. This growth is now being led by China, raising the stakes for other regions. We will continue to help governments spur innovation toward safe and sustainable energy transitions.”
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Publish date : 2024-12-10 12:06:00
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