•�Biofuels

•�Solar�thermal,�

•�Solar�photovoltaic�(PV)

•�Wind

Technology classiÀcation Average annual growth r ate

Global patent Àlings 3% 6%

Solar Thermal

38%

Solar PV31%

Wind17%

Biofuels14% Solar

Thermal25%

Solar PV41%

Wind23%

Biofuels11%

1975-2005 2006-2011

0

200000

400000

600000

800000

1000000

1200000

1400000

1600000

1800000

0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

7000

8000

9000

10000

Pate

nt fa

mili

es

Biofuels Solar thermal energy Solar PV Wind Global patent filings

Patent filing year

Number of related PCT Àlings 5,578 4,024 8,866 6,208

Àled through PCT system 22 % 9% 18% 24%

Number of related PCT Àlings 13,387 7,849 28,074 12,885

Àled through the PCT system 46% 22% 35% 31%

—6

2006-2011 Owner s of Company HQ Area

6 Samsung Republic of Korea SolarPV

7 Siemens AG Germany

Kyocera Corp Japan

11 FujiÀlm Corp Japan SolarPV

13 Vestas Wind Sys As Denmark Wind

14 Hyundai Republic of Korea SolarPV

16 Toyota Japan SolarPV

17 Industrial Technology Research Institute China SolarPV

18 Sony Corp Japan SolarPV

19 Dainippon Printing Co Ltd Japan SolarPV

20 Suzlon Energy (REpower Systems) India (Germany) Wind

solar�thermal,

solar�PV

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

45%

0 5,000 10,000 15,000 20,000 25,000 30,000 35,000 40,000

IP o

wne

rshi

p pe

rcen

tage

(T

op 2

0)

Number of patent families (total)

Biofuels Solar thermal Solar PV Wind Biofuels Solar thermal Solar PV Wind

20061975-2005 - 2011

UNEP, EPO, ICTSD, 2010. ow.ly/uQ9Ls

UNEP, EPO, 2013. ow.ly/wQb8E

Lee, B., Iliev, I. & Preston, F., 2009.

ow.ly/xwO6k

WIPO, 2011.U.S. Mobile Technology Innovator, Qualcomm, Àles Landmark Application.

ow.ly/wQb8E

PCT, 2013. ow.ly/xqqOF

6 WIPO, 2014. ow.ly/uMVS9

van der Vegt, H., Lliev, I. & Tannock, Q., 2011.

ow.ly/wQcRf

25.0%

15.0%

60.0%

3.3%

4.0%

11.0%

17.0%

43.0%

19.0%

14.0%

42.0%

3.1%

2.6%

-1.3%

0.4%

61.0%

-10.0% 0.0% 10.0% 20.0% 30.0% 40.0% 50.0% 60.0% 70.0%

Wind

Solar water heating

Solar PV

Hydropower

Geothermal

Ethanol production

Biodiesal production

Concentrating solar thermal

Growth rate (percentage)

2012 End-2007 through 2012(Five year period)

UNEP News Centre, 2013.

ow.ly/uMU6N

steps to promote, facilitate and Ànance, as appropriate, the transfer of, or access

ow.ly/wQdWT

Anon., 2009.

www.climatecommuniques.com

See supra note 3.

Natureo Finance, 2012. CIGS Thin-Àlm Solar. ow.ly/uMVNP

UNEP, 2011. ow.ly/xeEns

See supra note 11.

UNEP, EPO, ICTSD, 2010. ow.ly/uQ9Ls

16 Copenhagen Economics & The IPR Company , 2009. . [Online] Available at: ow.ly/uQyvM

Cullen, S., 2009. ow.ly/uQyGU

Dechezlepretre A., , 2009.

ow.ly/uQyUq

UNEP, EPO, 2013. ow.ly/wQgLH

WIPO, 2014. ow.ly/uQz4k

REN21 Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century, 2013. ow.ly/uQzcv

rankfurt School-UNEP Centre, 2012. ow.ly/u0WSI

The data cited in this and subsequent paragraphs largely comes from Op. cit., UNEP/Frankfurt School and Op. cit., REN21.

Classi¿cation

“The system is […] based on the automatic identi¿cation of the documents and subsequent allocation of the codes based on an initial intellectual effort of the expert examiner in the ¿eld.

algorithms and additionally tagging the newly found documents. The experts are also responsible for keeping the algorithms up-to-date when any changes in classi¿cation occur.”

See supra note 3.

UNEP, EPO, ICTSD, 2010. ow.ly/uQ9Ls

26 Copenhagen Economics & The IPR Company, 2009. . [Online] Available at: ow.ly/uQyvM

Cullen, S., 2009.ow.ly/uQyGU

Dechezlepretre, A., , 2009.

ow.ly/uQyUq

See supra note 19.

WIPO, 2014. ow.ly/uQz4k

Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies by David Kappos, the then Director of the United States Patent and Trademark OfÀce (USPTO) stated that at the end of FY2011, the backlog of utility patents was 670,000, and they expected to have it down to 622,000 by the end of FY2012. He also stated that the expected pendency – the time to grant or abandonment that an applicant expects to experience (on average) from the day of Àling – was 33.9 months (see Kappos, DJ. 2012. USPTO FY 2013 Budget Request, Hearing,

ow.ly/u0X5O). The USPTO has put in place an initia-tive, speciÀcally related to renewable energy technologies, to address extended pendency periods. Launched in 2011, the ‘Green Technology Pilot Program’ ac-corded ‘green technology’ patents a special status and cited that in its pilot phase there were many instances in which the pendency period was reduced to one year. The combined inÁuence of the patent backlog, as well as variable pendency of patent Àlings, should be taken into consideration when reviewing the relatively low level of grants versus applications.

Full PATSTAT guidance and limitations notes are available at ow.ly/u0XdG

Veefkind, Hurtado-Albir, Angelucci & Thumm, K. &., 2012. siÀcation scheme for climate change mitigation technologies.Information, pp. 106-111.

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

Pat

ent

fam

ilies

Production by fermantationof organic by-products(Y02E 10/343)

Fuel from waste(Y02E 10/30)

Biofuels(Y02E 50/10)

Bio-diesel(Y02E 50/13)

Bio-pyrolysis(Y02E 50/14)

Other technologies

Patent filing year

Biofuel�Patent�Landscape�

—16

2006-2011 1975-2005 Owner s of Company HQ 2006-2011

4

5 Sinopec (incl. Beijing Res Inst Chem Ind) China 82

5 Mitsui Japan 60

5 Institute of Process Engineering China 57

5 COFCO Corp China 56

6 20+ 5 University of Nanjing China 53

6 20+ 5 Toyota Motor Corp Japan

5 Taiheiyo Cement Corp Japan 46

5

5 Institute de Francais Du Petrole (IFP) France 42

5 Beijing Visionox Technology Co. China 36

5 National Institute of Advanced Industrial Japan 36

Science and Technology (AIST)

5

5 Chugoku Electric Power Japan 33

5 Univ Kunming Science & Tech China 32

16 20+ 5 Guangzhou Inst Energy Conv Cas China 30

5 Univ East China Science & Tech China 28

6

5 Uniersity of Jiangnan China 27

5 BP Corporation United Kingdom 26

5 University of Tongji China 26

5 University of Beijing Forestry China 26

Japan21%

United States10%

Germany18%

Republicof Korea

2%

Other39%

PR China9%

1975-2005

Japan7% United

States9%

Germany9%

Republicof Korea

10%

Other24%

PR China41%

2006-2011

General�Electric�(GE;�US) Sinopec�(China) British�Petroleum�(UK)

Japan49%

United States

9%

Germany9%

Republicof Korea

3%

Other22%

PR China

8%

1975-2005

Japan15%

United States

8%

Germany7%

Republicof Korea

8%Other16%

2006-2011

PR China46%

REGENTS AT THEUNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA

ZHANG, RUIHONG

NORBECK, JOSEPH, M.

THE BOARD OF TRUSTEESOF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

BP (BRITISH PETROLEUM)

BLANCH, HARVEY, W.

SANDIA CORPORATION

ASSIGNEE, SIZE INDICATESRELATIVE NO. OF PATENTS

COLLABORATIONS

PARK, CHAN, SEUNG

GLASS, N. LOUISE

CLARK, DOUGLAS, S.

Katz, L., Kinney, K., Choi, J. & Chen, E., 2012. Continuous Áocculation deÁocculation process for efÀcient harvesting of microalgae from aqueous solutions.US, Patent No. WO2013059754A1.

Preiss, M. &. K. S., 2010. Journal of Commercial Biotechnology, Volume 16, pp. 293-312.

36

ow.ly/wQjiw

“GE to acquire Jenbacher”, Power Engineering, November 19, 2002, available at ow.ly/wQjLQ

Renewable Energy Focus, 2009. ow.ly/u0SFY

newnet, 2011. ow.ly/u0SwE

GE, 2012. ow.ly/u0SPY

Sinopec, 2014. ow.ly/u0V9D

Anon., 2008.

ow.ly/u0Vir

Anon., 2014. www.energybiosciencesinstitute.org

Glass, L., 2010. US, Patent No. US8431360B2.

Sanders, R., 2008.ow.ly/uQBtB

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

3500

4000

4500

Pat

ent

fam

ilies

Patent filing year

Heat exchange systems(Y02E 10/44)

Mounting or tracking(Y02E 10/47)

Conversion intomechanical power(Y02E 10/46)

Trough concentrations(Y02E 10/45)

Dish collectors(Y02E 10/42)

Other technologies

2006-2011 1975-2005 Owner s of Company HQ 2006-2011

5 Hikeen Tech Co Ltd HK, SAR China 175

5 Beijing Inst Graphic Comm China 141

5 Paradigma Germany 109

5

5

6 20+ 5 Siemens AG Germany 87

5 Bosch Gmbh Robert Germany

5 Yangzhou Sunleada Co Ltd China 65

6 63

5 Beijing WiSword Science & Technology Dev Co Ltd China 63

6 Panasonic Japan 62

5 Univ Kunming Science & Tech China 59

5 Abengoa Solar Spain 59

5 Univ Zhejiang China 48

5 Korea Energy Research Inst Republic of Korea 45

16 2 6

5 Badelite Solar Energy Technology Co Ltd China 43

6 German Aerospace Centre Germany 41

5 Zhejiang Bihuali Electronic Technology Co Ltd China 41

5 Schueco Int KG Germany 37

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

% p

ate

nt

ap

pli

cat

ion

s

PR China Japan United States European Patent Office (EPO) Republic of Korea Other geographies

Patent filing year

PR China57%

Japan37%

United States10%

Germany14%Republic

of Korea1%

Other20%

PR China18%

1975-2005Japan 15%

United States4%

Germany9% Republic

of Korea6%

Other19%

2006-2011

46 Germann, G., Herzig, S. & Hübner, R., 2011. . s.l.

Patent No. WO2012022420A1.

Diebold, C. & Harter, K.-F., 2011. for Áexible or rigid solar cells for self-sufÀcient and optimal power genera

s.l. Patent No. WO2011113413A1.

REN21. (2006). Available at ow.ly/wQlG0

Op. cit., REN21 (2013).

‘ Bloomberg News (March 16, 2011)

Reuters News. (February 8, 2010).

CleanTech Magazine. (Issue 3; 2011)

Greentech Solar, 2013. ow.ly/uQBQY

ABB, 2012. ow.ly/uQBV4

Hemrle, J., Kaufmann, L. & Mercangoez, M., 2010.

s.l. Patent No. WO2010118915A1.

56 Wang, Ucilia, 2013.ow.ly/uQC9U

Wang, Ucilia, 2011. ow.ly/uQClU

REN21 Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century, 2013. ow.ly/uQzcv

Ex-Im Bank, 2012. ow.ly/uQxxu

60 Abengoa Solar, 2012. ow.ly/ugvFl

61 DNI is a commonly used metric for solar thermal capacity. It is a measure of the solar irradiation striking a surface held normal to line of sight to the sun.

Solar�PV�Patent�Landscape

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

3500

4000

4500

5000

Pat

ent

fam

ilies

PV systems and concentrators(Y02E 10/52)

Organic silicon PV cells(Y02E 10/549)

Dye sensitized solar cells(Y02E 10/542)

Monocrystalline silicon PV cells(Y02E 10/547)

For grid-connected applications(Y02E 10/563)

Other technologies

Patent filing year

—26

Patent filing year

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

% p

aten

t fa

mili

es

PR China Japan United States European Patent Office (EPO) Republic of Korea Other geographies

2006-2011 1975-2005 Owner s of Company HQ 2006-2011

5

5

6 Sharp KK Japan 639

6 633

5 16 5 Samsung Republic of Korea 572

6 5 6 Kyocera Corp

5 Kyocera Minolta

5 FujiÀlm Corp

6 268

5 Hyundai Republic of Korea 207

6 Sumitomo Japan 206

4 Toyota Japan 201

5 Industrial Technology Research Institute China 199

5 Sony Corp Japan 195

5 Dainippon Printing Co Ltd Japan 187

16 6 6

5 Toppan Printing Co Ltd Japan 178

5

5 Oceans King Lighting Science China 161

6 Kaneka Corp Japan 149

Japan69%

United States11%

Germany9%

Republicof Korea

2% Other7%

PR China2%

1975-2005

Japan28%

United States

9%

Germany8%

Republicof Korea

19%

Other13% PR

China23%

2006-2011

Applied�Materials�Inc�(US)

62 Li, X., Li, Y. & Novak, J. P., 2011. Patent No. WO2012075394A1.

63 Dagli, M. N., 2011. China, Patent No. WO2012054436A1.

64 The Economist, 2013. ow.ly/uEPdC

Wind�Energy�Patent�

0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

7000

8000

Pa

ten

t fa

mil

ies

Turbines withperpendicular rotation(Y02E 10/74)

Components or gearbox(Y02E 10/722)

Turbines with rotationaxis in wind direction(Y02E 10/72)

Generator or configuration(Y02E 10/725)

Control or turbine(Y02E 10/723)

Othertechnologies

Patent filing year

2006-2011 1975-2005 Owners of Company HQ 2006-2011

5 General Electric USA 674

5 Germany

6 Japan 386

6 Vestas Wind Sys As Denmark

5 Suzion Energy (REpower Systems) India (Germany) 185

6 20+ 6 Samsung Republic of Korea 136

5 136

5 Nordex Energy Gmbh Germany

6 Gamesa Innovation & Tech SI Spain

5 Robert Bosch Gmbh Germany 111

6 Guodian United Power Tech Co China 98

4 Sany Electric Co Ltd China 96

5

5

5 Enercon (Wobben Aloys) Germany 73

16 20+ 6 Daewoo Republic of Korea 57

5 LM Wind Power As Denmark 56

5 Wuxi Tongchun New Energy Technology China 49

5 Shenyang Ruixiang Wind Energy Equipment Ltd China 47

6

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

% P

ate

nt

fam

ilies

PR China Japan United States European Patent Office (EPO) Republic of Korea Other geographies

Patent filing year

Japan21%

United States10%

Germany18%

Republicof Korea

2%

Other39%

PR China9%

1975-2005

Japan7% United

States9%

Germany9%

Republicof Korea

10%

Other24%

PR China41%

2006-2011

Suzlon) Sinovel)

65 Kuehlmeier, L., Mortensen, F. & Peterslund, 2012. Wind turbine blade construc-tion. s.l. Patent No. WO2012119778A1.

66 Willauschus, O., Vilbrandt, R., Schulz & Michael, 2011. Overvoltage-protected control unit for an adjusting system of wind turbine rotor blades. US, Patent No. WO2011104318A1.

67 The Economic Times, 2012. Featured content: Customization is key for Suzlon’s success, says CEO. [Online] Available at: ow.ly/uQuys

68 REpower Systems, 2014. The Next Step. [Online] Available at: ow.ly/uQsXa

69 AMSC, 2010. AMSC and Sinovel Expand Strategic Partnership. [Online] ow.ly/uQtui

Sinovel, 2012. Sinovel Wind Group and Mita-Teknik announces large-scale coop-eration at joint press conference on EWEA 2012 in Copenhagen. [Online

ow.ly/uQtKi

—36

Background�on

This report was prepared by Sarah Helm, Senior Associate at CambridgeIP with responsibility for Energy and Clean Technology projects (sarah.helm@cambridgeip.com), Quentin Tannock, Chairman of CambridgeIP who leads CambridgeIP’s engagements with international organizations and major corporations, and Ilian Iliev, Director of CambridgeIP and a co-author of the 2009

). www.cambridgeip.com

is published separately (visit www.wipo.int/globalchallenges) and provides an overview of issues, including key implications and considerations for policy and policymakers.

Citation: Helm, S., Q. Tannock and I. Iliev, 2014.

Global Challenges Report, WIPO: Geneva. www.wipo.int/globalchallenges

WIPO Global Challenges Reports provide in-depth analysis and discussions of issues debates about solutions to global challenges, such as climate change,

public health and food security.

The views expressed in this work are those of the author and do not necessarily

or its Member States.