The race for dominance in clean energy technology is heating up, with the European Union and China leading the charge. A comprehensive analysis by scientists at the Joint Research Centre (JRC) reveals that the EU is a major player in early-stage clean energy technologies, trailing only China in terms of scientific output. However, when it comes to technologies closer to market deployment, the EU has a slight edge.
According to a detailed report on technology development, trends, value chains, and markets, 151 early-stage technologies in clean energy have been identified. The study explores the positions of major economies across these technologies at various Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) by analyzing scientific publications and patents.
Covering areas such as advanced fuels, batteries, energy storage, renewables, smart electricity, and carbon capture, the report highlights a diverse global landscape with regional strengths. China is at the forefront in terms of volume, generating the highest number of publications and patents in low TRL technologies. The country demonstrates strong specialization in advanced fuels, batteries, energy storage, and other key areas. However, much of China’s patent activity is domestic, indicating a focus on its vast home market.
The EU, on the other hand, excels in high-readiness technologies nearing deployment, specializing in advanced fuels, geothermal energy, and bioenergy, among others. Europe also stands out in high-value and international patenting, which underscores its commercial relevance and readiness for industrial deployment. This success is attributed to a regulatory and industrial environment conducive to the green transition.
The United States, though contributing a smaller portion of the output, is responsible for some of the most influential research, particularly in smart electricity, ocean energy, and batteries. The US also performs well in high-value and international patent filings, maintaining its role in commercially relevant innovation despite lacking broad-based specialization.
Other nations like Japan, South Korea, India, and the UK have carved niches in specific areas, contributing to the global clean energy landscape.
This analysis supports ongoing discussions about EU competitiveness and technological sovereignty in clean energy. Identifying strengths and dependencies early on aids policymakers in making informed decisions about investment and scaling. It also fosters international collaboration to meet EU climate and industrial objectives.
The study is part of the Clean Energy Technology Observatory (CETO), an initiative by the European Commission that monitors developments in clean energy technologies within the EU. CETO provides evidence-based insights into technology maturity and competitiveness, supporting EU policy frameworks such as the Strategic Energy Technology (SET) Plan and the Competitiveness Progress Report.
Implemented by the Joint Research Centre in collaboration with the Directorates-General Research and Innovation and Energy, CETO assesses the EU’s industrial capacity and global positioning in clean energy technologies, and publishes yearly reports.
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Original Story at joint-research-centre.ec.europa.eu