The UNEP-EPO-ICTSD Project on Patents and Clean Energy: Patent landscaping and Patent classification Thomas Maxisch 13.07.2010
Contents European Patent Office Patents and Climate change mitigation technologies A new classification scheme Driving mechanisms in patenting Patent information - esp@cenet
European Patent Office: Locations The EPO has offices at five different locations. Its headquarters are in Munich. European Patent Office Locations
Number of staff in 2009 Munich 3 718 Around 60% are patent examiners The Hague 2 710 Berlin 274 Vienna 112 Brussels 4 Total 6 818 European Patent Office Staff
Contents European Patent Office Patents and Climate change mitigation technologies A new classification scheme Driving mechanisms in patenting Patent information - esp@cenet
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
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
Combining expert knowledge Approx. 3800 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
Contents European Patent Office Patents and Climate change mitigation technologies A new classification scheme Driving mechanisms in patenting Patent information - esp@cenet
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 70.000 codes; ECLA: approx 138.000 codes New classification scheme IPC and ECLA
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
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
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
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
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
Contents European Patent Office Patents and Climate change mitigation technologies A new classification scheme Driving mechanisms in patenting Patent information - esp@cenet
Global patent publications Example: Battery technology 3000 2500 2000 1500 Commercialisation 1000 500 0 1980 1983 1986 1989 1992 1995 1998 2001 2004 2007 Lead-acid Alkaline Lithium-ion Primary Patenting trends are technology/market driven Driving mechanisms in patenting Batteries
Global patent publications Example: Fuel cell technology 3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 Kyoto protocol 1000 500 0 1980 1983 1986 1989 1992 1995 1998 2001 2004 2007 PEMFC SOFC MC Biochemical Patenting trends are policy driven Driving mechanisms in patenting Fuel cells
number of first filings MWp Example: Solar photovoltaic conversion 900 800 Global Patents European Patents Carter program 4500 4000 700 Annual PV Shipments 3500 600 3000 500 2500 400 2000 300 1500 200 1000 100 500 0 1970 1974 1978 1982 1986 1990 1994 1998 2002 2006 year 0 Patenting trends are driven by state funding Driving mechanisms in patenting Solar cells
Contents European Patent Office Patents and Climate change mitigation technologies A new classification scheme Driving mechanisms in patenting Patent information - esp@cenet
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