The power industry continues to be a hotbed of patent innovation. Activity is driven by increase in energy demand, need for energy efficiency, and technological innovations, and growing importance of technologies such as artificial intelligence, Internet of Things, and digitization. In the last three years alone, there have been over 656,000 patents filed and granted in the power industry, according to GlobalData’s report on Artificial intelligence in power: autonomous microgrids. Buy the report here.
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According to GlobalData’s Technology Foresights, which uses over 70,000 patents to analyze innovation intensity for the power industry, there are 40+ innovation areas that will shape the future of the industry.
Autonomous microgrids is a key innovation area in artificial intelligence
Autonomous microgrids refer to an independent localized grid capable of generating, storing, and distributing electricity autonomously. These microgrids primarily operate on renewable sources of energy like solar, wind, and hydro to power its energy demands, with some relying on traditional power sources as well. A key feature of a microgrid is the ability to separate and isolate itself from the utility during a disturbance with little or no disruption Microgrids integrate energy storage and dispatch technologies to ensure reliable and efficient electricity distribution, even in the event of a power outage or disruption in the main grid.
GlobalData’s analysis also uncovers the companies at the forefront of each innovation area and assesses the potential reach and impact of their patenting activity across different applications and geographies. According to GlobalData, there are 110+ companies, spanning technology vendors, established power companies, and up-and-coming start-ups engaged in the development and application of autonomous microgrids.
Key players in autonomous microgrids – a disruptive innovation in the power industry
‘Application diversity’ measures the number of applications identified for each patent. It broadly splits companies into either ‘niche’ or ‘diversified’ innovators.
‘Geographic reach’ refers to the number of countries each patent is registered in. It reflects the breadth of geographic application intended, ranging from ‘global’ to ‘local’.
Patent volumes related to autonomous microgrids
Source: GlobalData Patent Analytics
Panasonic is one of the leading patent filers in autonomous microgrids. Panasonic develops, engineers, manufactures and commercializes diverse electronic technologies and products in the areas of home appliances and domestic equipment, equipment and systems for manufacturing, batteries and electronic components for mobility and social infrastructure. Some other key patent filers in the autonomous microgrid space include Toshiba, Wobben Properties, and Sony Group.
In terms of application diversity, EnBW Energie Baden-Wurttemberg, Ford Motor, and Vestas Wind Systems are the leading patent filers. By means of geographic reach, Sunverge Energy held the top position, followed by Paloma Industries and Wobben Properties.
To further understand the key themes and technologies disrupting the power industry, access GlobalData’s latest thematic research report on Artificial intelligence (AI) in Power.
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GlobalData, the leading provider of industry intelligence, provided the underlying data, research, and analysis used to produce this article.
GlobalData’s Patent Analytics tracks patent filings and grants from official offices around the world. Textual analysis and official patent classifications are used to group patents into key thematic areas and link them to specific companies across the world’s largest industries.
