Asia leading rapid rise of battery innovation: EPO report
Patenting activity in batteries and other electricity storage technologies grew at an average annual rate of 14% worldwide between 2005 and 2018, with Asian countries leading the way, according to a new report.
A joint study published today, September 22, by the European Patent Office (EPO) and the International Energy Agency (IEA) noted that patenting activity in electricity storage technologies had increased four times faster than in the average of all technology fields over the period (3.5%).
Since 2000, businesses have filed more than 65,000 international patent families (IPFs) in the area of electricity storage. The annual number of IPFs has risen steeply, from around 1,500 in 2005 to over 7,000 in 2018.
Batteries account for nearly 90% of all patenting activity in the area of electricity storage, said the report, adding that the rise in innovation is chiefly driven by advances in rechargeable lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries used in consumer electronic devices and electric cars.
According to the report, in 2018, advances in Li-ion cells were responsible for 45% of patenting activity related to battery cells, compared with just 7% for cells based on other chemistries.
EPO President António Campinos said: “Electricity storage technology is critical when it comes to meeting the demand for electric mobility and achieving the shift towards renewable energy that is needed if we are to mitigate climate change.”
He added that the “rapid and sustained rise” in electricity storage innovation demonstrates that both inventors and businesses are tackling the challenge of the energy transition.
IEA projects that, for the world to meet climate and sustainable energy goals, close to 10,000 gigawatt-hours of batteries and other forms of energy storage will be required worldwide by 2040—50 times the size of the current market.
Fatih Birol, IEA’s executive director, added: “IEA projections make it clear that energy storage will need to grow exponentially in the coming decades to enable the world to meet international climate and sustainable energy goals. Accelerated innovation will be essential for achieving that growth.”
Asian companies take the lead
Japan and South Korea have established a strong lead in battery technology globally, with Asian companies accounting for nine of the top ten global applicants for patents related to batteries.
The top five applicants—Samsung, Panasonic, LG, Toyota and Bosch—together generated more than a quarter of all IPFs between 2000 and 2018.
Although Europe is trailing behind Japan and South Korea, it has also contributed significantly to the global increase in battery innovation observed since the mid-2000s, said the report.
Germany dominates innovation in electricity storage in Europe, accounting alone for more than half of IPFs originating from Europe.
Over the period 2000-18, UK companies and inventors filed a total of 652 IPFs in battery technology, placing the UK third among European countries, after Germany (with 5,080 IPFs) and France (1,354).
Generally, innovation is largely concentrated in a limited group of very large companies but, in the US and Europe, smaller companies, universities and public research organisations also play a significant role.
In the US, small and medium-sized enterprises account for 34.4% and universities/research organisations for 13.8% of IPFs filed. In Europe, the figures are 15.9% and 12.7% respectively, contrasting with Japan (3.4%/3.5%) and South Korea (4.6%/9.0%).
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