Seoul, South Korea – A recent analysis by the Korean Ministry of Intellectual Property shows that South Korea ranked first globally in the number of patent
applications for energy storage systems (ESS) for power grids over the past 20 years, totaling 6,030 applications.
The analysis was based on data submitted to the five leading global intellectual
property organizations (IP5) between 2004 and 2023.
This period saw a staggering 125-fold increase in the number of innovations,
jumping from just 32 applications in 2004 to 4,010 by the end of the study period.
A biotechnology that stores generated electricity
Energy storage systems are a vital technology that stores generated electricity
for use when needed in homes, industrial facilities, and various power grids.
By nationality, South Korea topped the list with 41.3% (6,030 cases).
China came in second with 5,176 cases (35.4%), followed by the United States with 1,283 cases (8.8%).
Japan had 1,220 cases (8.4%), and Germany 250 cases (1.7%).
Extensive Korean dominance among the world’s top companies
The analysis confirmed the significant superiority of Korean companies in technological innovation.
Four Korean companies secured positions among the top 10 global companies in this sector.
LG Energy Solutions topped the list with the most applications, registering 4,605 cases.
China’s CATL came in second with 2,653 cases, and Samsung SDI ranked third with 242 cases.
LS Electric and Samsung Electronics also stood out, securing seventh and eighth place respectively, with 114 and 78 cases.
Safety technologies and long-term storage management
In terms of precise technical classification, storage device safety
and management technology—which focuses on monitoring device condition
and preventing heat and fire hazards—accounted for the largest share with 7,705 cases (52.8%).
This was followed by long-term storage technology, designed for storing
and supplying energy for extended periods, with 5,338 cases (36.5%).
Energy conversion and interconnection technology came in third with 10.7%, representing 1,562 cases.
The Korean industry is making progress in the areas of safety assurance
Commenting on these results, Park Jae-hoon, director of the Communications Inspection Bureau,
affirmed that this significant development
reflects the progress of the Korean industry in areas such as safety assurance,
long-term storage, and efficient network connectivity.
He also emphasized the ministry’s commitment to actively supporting Korean companies in rigorously
and promptly protecting their intellectual property rights.
This aims to enhance their competitiveness in capturing overseas power grid markets.
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