REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION

Description

Y02E covers technologies and methods specifically designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across the energy sector, including electricity generation, power transmission, and distribution systems. This classification encompasses renewable energy sources (solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, biomass), energy efficiency improvements in conventional power plants, grid modernization, and carbon capture or storage technologies integrated into energy infrastructure. Y02E applies to innovations that lower the carbon footprint of energy supply chains, from generation through end-user delivery. Adjacent classifications address GHG reductions in other sectors (buildings, transport, industry) or broader climate adaptation measures outside the energy domain.

Filing statistics

CPC subclass Y02E recorded 2,009,646 patent applications worldwide between 2013 and 2023. Annual filings grew from 120,089 in 2013 to 290,708 in 2023 (+142%), peaking at 319,825 applications in 2022. The most active applicants in class Y02 are CHINESE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES (30,705 applications), TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION (29,065 applications) and SGCC(STATE GRID CORPORATION OF CHINA) (22,908 applications).

Source: EPO PATSTAT, worldwide filings