Page 4 - AsiaElec Week 02 2023

AsiaElec COMMENTARY AsiaElec

Patent data show shift to green

hydrogen gaining momentum

GLOBAL Global hydrogen production is set to become twice the number of international patents across
greener, with patent data suggesting a shift all segments of the hydrogen value chain than
towards a new wave of innovation and scientific established technologies.
development in electrolysis technology. Technologies motivated by climate concerns
The International Energy Agency (IEA) used accounted for nearly 80% of all patents related
patent data to find out how fast innovation in the to hydrogen production in 2020, with growth
green hydrogen value chain has been ramping driven chiefly by a sharp increase of innovation
up over the past decade. in electrolysis.
The results are impressive, with Europe and The most innovative regions are now com-
Japan leading the way as green innovation grew peting to host the first industrial roll-out phase,
significantly since 2010. with the data suggesting that Europe is gaining
It found that global patenting in hydrogen an edge as a location for investment in new elec-
is being led by the European Union and Japan, trolyser manufacturing capacity.
which account for 28% and 24% respectively of Indeed, Japan in particular is placing empha-
all IPFs filed in the last 10 year. This represents sis on green hydrogen.
significant growth over the past decade, the The IEA report came as Prime Minister
report said. Fumio Kishida of Japan told IEA Executive
The research, carried out together with the Director Faith Birol this week that hydrogen,
European Patent Office (EPO), covered innova- along with ammonia, formed a key part of
tion across the full range of technologies, from Japan’s commitment to further renewable energy
hydrogen supply to storage, distribution and deployment.
transformation, as well as end-use applications. Kishida added that Japan’s Green Trans-
Europe and Japan are leading the way in formation programme also included energy
decarbonising the global hydrogen sector. efficiency measures and increasing the role of
While global hydrogen production is cur- nuclear power in the mix, including by restarting
rently almost entirely fossil fuel-based, the nuclear power plants (NPPs).
patenting data in the report showed that Kishida underscored the need for global
low-emissions innovations generated more than progress on both energy security and

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