Energy InfrastructureWhat are innovations along the hydrogen value chain?
Summary
The trend report "Hydrogen Patents for a Clean Energy Future" emphasizes hydrogen's increasing role in achieving a sustainable energy future. Recognized as the 'fuel of the future,' hydrogen offers potential in reducing the carbon footprint across industries. Spain's exploration of renewable energy sources, such as photovoltaic energy and wind power for retrofitting, exemplifies this shift. From 2011 to 2020, there was a notable rise in hydrogen-related patent activities, with significant contributions from top international applicants. The report details patent trends in hydrogen production, highlighting advancements in electrolysers and low-carbon technologies. Efficient storage and distribution are vital for hydrogen's broader acceptance, and the report presents trends in these areas. Hydrogen's end-use applications extend to sectors like methanol production and transport. The document concludes by reinforcing hydrogen's growing importance in the global energy transition towards a more sustainable future.
Open full article
What are innovations along the hydrogen value chain?
Hydrogen Patents for a Clean Energy Future: A Trend Report
In the quest for a sustainable energy future, hydrogen has emerged as a key player. The recent IEA 2023 trend report titled "Hydrogen Patents for a Clean Energy Future" sheds light on the pivotal role of hydrogen in the transition to greener energy solutions.
Why Hydrogen?
Hydrogen, often dubbed the 'fuel of the future,' is gaining traction for its potential to reduce the carbon footprint of various industries. The report emphasizes the increasing interest in renewable energy sources, particularly in Spain, where photovoltaic energy and wind power are being explored for retrofitting purposes.
- more on retrofitting: check-out the project RETROFEED
The global shift towards low-emission hydrogen is evident, with the International Energy Agency highlighting the need to ramp up both supply and demand.
Innovation Clusters and Patenting Trends
The report provides a comprehensive overview of hydrogen innovation clusters worldwide. Between 2011 and 2020, there has been a surge in patenting activities related to hydrogen technologies. Notably, the top international applicants in established technologies have been actively contributing to this domain. The report also showcases the origins of inventions related to electrolysers and their manufacturing capacity.
Hydrogen Production
Hydrogen production is at the heart of this energy transition. The report delves into the main patenting trends in hydrogen production from 2001 to 2020. It highlights the emerging lower-carbon technologies for hydrogen production from light hydrocarbons and the recent advancements in electrolysers. The CO2 intensity of hydrogen production and the share of International Patent Families (IPFs) in climate-motivated production technologies are also discussed.
- a very interesting approach is the carbon-free methane cracking project STORMING, capturing the carbon in the form of carbon nanotubes. More here
- Other interesting projects are TITAN and COLDSPARK
Storage, Distribution, and Transformation
Storing and distributing hydrogen efficiently is crucial for its widespread adoption. The report outlines patenting trends in hydrogen storage, distribution, and transformation technologies. It also touches upon the origins of IPFs related to these areas and the impact of top applicants from different industries on patenting in hydrogen storage and distribution technologies.
End-use Applications
The end-use applications of hydrogen span various sectors, from methanol and ammonia production to transport technologies. The report presents patenting trends in hydrogen use for these applications and the origins of IPFs related to them. It also provides insights into hydrogen propulsion versus on-board storage in transport technologies and the international patenting trends in hydrogen-based propulsion technologies.
Conclusion
The "Hydrogen Patents for a Clean Energy Future" trend report underscores the growing significance of hydrogen in shaping a sustainable energy landscape. With increasing patenting activities and innovations in hydrogen technologies, the future looks promising for this versatile element. As industries worldwide recognize the potential of hydrogen, it is poised to play a central role in the global energy transition, driving us closer to a cleaner, greener future.
Full report here
