Technological innovation advances at different speeds across sectors. While some, such as the automotive and aeronautical industries, maintain a steady pace of evolution, others are undergoing accelerated transformation. One of the most dynamic fields today is the generation and storage of electrical energy, where the volume of patent applications has skyrocketed in recent years.
This boom is no coincidence. It responds to an urgent need for energy optimization and sustainability, in a scenario marked by the green transition and growing geopolitical pressure on strategic resources. rare earth, essential materials in many of these innovations, are at the heart of this new technological revolution.
Increase in patent applications in energy: a thermometer of innovation
According to data from the European Patent Office (EPO) Patent Index of 2024, inventions related to electric batteries grew by 24% compared to the previous year. In the case of electrical machinery, appliances, and energy, the cumulative increase over the last decade reached 64,8%.
This increase highlights the role of patents as a protection mechanism, but also as an indicator of industrial and technological dynamism. Registering a patent in Spain or Europe allows companies to secure their R&D investment, access financing, and strategically position themselves in key markets.
Rare earths: powerful magnets and next-generation batteries
rare earth such as neodymium, dysprosium, or lanthanum are at the heart of many strategic inventions. In the field of electric generators, one of the most promising avenues for development is permanent magnets More powerful, requiring less space and energy to operate. These advances have a direct impact on the efficiency of rotating electrical machines, as well as on cutting-edge electric motors, when it comes to neodymium, for example.
In parallel, the batteries are another major focus of innovation. The challenge: increasing energy density, shortening charging times, and extending service life. The automotive industry is driving many of these improvements, seeking new cathode and electrolyte formulations that incorporate rare earth elements or advanced alternative materials, with the goal of achieving the highest storage capacity while ensuring safety and sustainability throughout the entire process.
Electrical networks and conductive materials: minimizing losses
Another key technological front is the electrical infrastructure, especially the energy transmission network. Innovation in conductive materials with lower electrical resistance It minimizes economic losses and the environmental impact that occurs during transportation, a key aspect in both large-scale installations and microelectronic components.
Geostrategy, industrial autonomy and intellectual property
Beyond the technical dimension, the rise of these technologies has a geopolitical meaning. Europe depends heavily on third countries for the supply of rare earths and other critical materials. Therefore, promoting local innovation and protecting developments through the patent system has become a strategic priority.
Furthermore, this increase in the number of patent applications is not limited to the private sector. Public institutions and research centers are supporting it, and an increasing number of universities, scientific organizations, and public-private partnerships are working together to develop patentable solutions, geared not only toward innovation but also toward large-scale applicability and commercial viability.
Protecting innovation as a lever of competitiveness
The current map of patent applications reveals a clear trend: the race for sustainable energy efficiency is not only being fought in laboratories, but also in intellectual property offices. Ensuring the protection of these advances has ceased to be simply a strategic option and has become an urgent need to maintain autonomy, sustainability, and, fundamentally, a leading position in technological innovation.
From elzaburuWe support our clients in this transformation, providing specialized legal advice in patent registration and validation. We understand that innovation, now more than ever, is synonymous with anticipating, protecting, and leading responsibly.
Bosco de la Vega, Associate of the area of Patents
