Hydrogen patents
for a clean energy future
A global trend analysis of innovation along hydrogen value chains
January 2023
HYDROGEN PATENTS FOR A
CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE epo.org | 02
Foreword
Faced with a convergence of crises spanning energy,
geopolitics and the environment, the future of the
European economy now depends more than any time in
its history on its capacity for innovation and creativity.
The transition away from fossil fuels is a challenge
unparalleled in scale and complexity, with a narrowing
time window by which to bring solutions to market. In
this context, producing reliable intelligence on trends in
low-carbon innovation is crucial for supporting robust
business and policy decisions. This also forms a vital
aspect of EPO’s strategic commitment to sustainability.
This study - the third of its kind undertaken in
collaboration with the IEA since 2020 - addresses
innovation trends related to hydrogen which is a core
element to energy transitions in the EU and beyond.
Combining the energy expertise of the IEA with the EPO’s
patent knowledge, it provides the most comprehensive
and up-to-date global review of patenting trends in a
broad range of technologies – from the production of
hydrogen to its storage, distribution and transformation,
through to its end-use applications across many different
industries. Because patent information is the earliest
possible signal of industrial innovation, this report
offers a unique source of intelligence on a complex and
fast-moving technology landscape that is reaching new
heights of strategic importance to decision-makers
around the world.
Patent protection is key for innovators to transform
hydrogen research into market-ready inventions. Patents
enable enterprises and universities to reap the rewards
of their creativity and hard work. As the patent office
for Europe, the EPO provides high-quality patents to
protect innovations in up to 44 countries (including all
EU member states
IEA：清洁能源的未来：氢专利（英文版）.pdf