The UNEP-EPO-ICTSD Project on Patents and Clean Energy: Patent landscaping and Patent classification

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1 The UNEP-EPO-ICTSD Project on Patents and Clean Energy: Patent landscaping and Patent classification Thomas Maxisch

2 Contents European Patent Office Patents and Climate change mitigation technologies A new classification scheme Driving mechanisms in patenting Patent information - esp@cenet

3 European Patent Office: Locations The EPO has offices at five different locations. Its headquarters are in Munich. European Patent Office Locations

4 Number of staff in 2009 Munich Around 60% are patent examiners The Hague Berlin 274 Vienna 112 Brussels 4 Total European Patent Office Staff

5 Contents European Patent Office Patents and Climate change mitigation technologies A new classification scheme Driving mechanisms in patenting Patent information - esp@cenet

6 Climate change mitigation technologies Climate change mitigation technologies are technologies aimed at controlling, reducing or preventing the anthropogenic emission of greenhouse gases. With a growing awareness of the possible consequences of those emissions, there is increased political and social pressure to invest in continuing research into such technologies. Indeed, since the signing of the Kyoto Protocol in 1997 there has been a significant surge in research and development and thus also of patenting in the related fields. Climate change mitigation technologies

7 The need for information In order to make informed decisions a reliable, comprehensive documentation of information is necessary: Global coverage Technical content Industrial research and development Historically complete "Up-to-date" coverage Reliable content Easily accessible Climate change mitigation technologies Information

8 Combining expert knowledge Approx patent examiners provide highly specialised expert knowledge in: technical disciplines patent classification information retrieval Collaborating EPO, ICTSD and OECD identified relevant the technical fields within climate change mitigation technologies Expert group of examiners was set up to: develop new classification system classify patent publications according to the new scheme Climate change mitigation technologies Expert knowledge

9 Contents European Patent Office Patents and Climate change mitigation technologies A new classification scheme Driving mechanisms in patenting Patent information - esp@cenet

10 Existing classification schemes: IPC and ECLA It has not always been easy to find sector-related information on patented technologies using the existing patent classification schemes. Here a view on the current International (IPC) and European Classification (ECLA): A B C D E F G H The eight main IPC and ECLA sections Human necessities Performing operations; transporting Chemistry; metallurgy Textiles; paper Fixed constructions Mechanical engineering; lighting; heating; weapons; blasting engines or pumps Physics Electricity IPC: approx codes; ECLA: approx codes New classification scheme IPC and ECLA

11 A new classification scheme: Y02 Because patent documents relating to climate change mitigation technologies can be found in so many areas of technology, they do not fall under one single classification section Climate change mitigation technologies as new, emerging technologies develop very quickly New tagging scheme, similar to ECLA providing easy access to the general public to climate change mitigation technologies Already online: Y02C Y02E Greenhouse gases capture or storage/sequestration or disposal Greenhouse gases emissions reduction technologies related to energy generation, transmission or distribution New classification scheme Y02

12 A new classification scheme: Y02E Code Y02E Description Comment 10/00 Energy generation through renewable energy sources 20/00 Combustion technologies with mitigation potential Geothermal, hydro, oceanic, solar (PV and thermal), wind CHP, CCPP, IGCC, synair, cold flame, etc. 30/00 Energy generation of nuclear origin Fusion and fission 40/00 Technologies for efficient electrical power generation, transmission or distribution 50/00 Technologies for the production of fuel of non-fossil origin 60/00 Technologies with potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation 70/00 Other energy conversion or management systems reducing GHG emissions Reactive power compensation, efficient operation of power networks, etc. Biofuels, from waste Energy storage (batteries, ultracapacitors, flywheels ), hydrogen technology, fuel cells, etc. Synergies among renewable energies, fuel cells and energy storage New classification scheme Y02E

13 A new classification scheme: Y02E10 Energy generation through renewable energy sources: Code Y02E Description 10/10. Geothermal energy 10/20. Hydro energy 10/30. Energy from sea (tidal stream Y02E10/28) 10/40. Solar thermal energy 10/50. Photovoltaic [PV] energy 10/60. Thermal-PV hybrids 10/70. Wind energy New classification scheme Y02E10

14 A new classification scheme: Y02E10/70 - Wind energy Code Y02E Description 10/70. Wind energy 10/72.. Wind turbines with rotation axis in wind direction 10/72B... Blades or rotors 10/72D... Components or gearbox 10/72F... Control of turbines 10/72H... Generator or configuration 10/72J... Nacelles 10/72L... Offshore towers 10/72N... Onshore towers 10/74.. Wind turbines with rotation axis perpendicular to the wind direction 10/76.. Power conversion electric or electronic aspects 10/76B... for grid-connected applications 10/76D... concerning power management inside the plant, e.g. battery charging/ discharging, economical operation, hybridisation with other energy sources New classification scheme Y02E10/70

15 A new classification system The newly developed classification scheme is: unique in size and content easily accessible free of charge maintained by the EPO experts flexible to accommodate new developments New classification scheme

16 Contents European Patent Office Patents and Climate change mitigation technologies A new classification scheme Driving mechanisms in patenting Patent information - esp@cenet

17 Global patent publications Example: Battery technology Commercialisation Lead-acid Alkaline Lithium-ion Primary Patenting trends are technology/market driven Driving mechanisms in patenting Batteries

18 Global patent publications Example: Fuel cell technology Kyoto protocol PEMFC SOFC MC Biochemical Patenting trends are policy driven Driving mechanisms in patenting Fuel cells

19 number of first filings MWp Example: Solar photovoltaic conversion Global Patents European Patents Carter program Annual PV Shipments year 0 Patenting trends are driven by state funding Driving mechanisms in patenting Solar cells

20 Contents European Patent Office Patents and Climate change mitigation technologies A new classification scheme Driving mechanisms in patenting Patent information - esp@cenet

21 Patent information products and services from the EPO European publication server Free databases million patent documents from 80+ countries Register Plus - follow European patent applications step by step ESPACE EP - "full-text" searching in the latest European patent applications Patent information

22 a database of 65 million records a collection of patent documents (applications, granted patents, search reports, non-patent literature) data from 85 patent authorities worldwide data from 1836 to today source of technical information available free-of-charge via the internet at or BUT: for critical decision ask for professional help Patent information esap@cenet

23 Access via Patent information Access

24 Access via Patent information Access

25 Access via ep.espacenet.com

26 Support Quick Help on Help Index on assistant Forum Brochures Informationen Training (incl. live online) Patent information Support