Spain and renewable energy patents 2000-2012

The OEPM has drawn up a study on Spanish patent applications in the renewable energy sector to establish the current situation (2012) in Spain, Europe and the rest of the world.

Main results of the study
Considering total national applications for inventions in this sector from 2000-2012, there was constant growth – from 43 applications in 2000, to 254 in 2012.

Of the different types of renewable energy, solar power saw the greatest increase – from 14 applications in 2000 to 122 in 2012, amounting to 48% of all applications. It was followed by wind energy, with 33% of applications, growing from 13 to 83 over the same period. Next came tidal power, with 6.6%.

By region, Madrid was in the lead with 21% of total applications (54), followed by Andalusia with 20% (50) and Navarre with 14% (35).

Who are the applicants?
Regarding type of applicant, 54% came from firms, 35% from individuals and 11% from public bodies. In Europe, Spain is among the top three countries for patent applications, behind Germany and the United Kingdom.

In Europe
The number of European patent applications of Spanish origin in the renewable energy sector grew from 2 in 2000 to 98 in 2012. Solar power had the largest percentage, with 43.6% of the total, followed by wind energy with 43.2% and tidal energy with 4.9%.

By region, Navarre was in the lead with 24% of total European applications, followed by Madrid and Catalonia, each with 16.2%.

By type of applicant, 70% were from firms, 21% from individuals and 9% from public bodies.

In the world
Worldwide, Spain continues to be among the countries with most patents in the renewable energy sector, and is currently in fifth place behind the United States, Japan, Germany and the United Kingdom.

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