Green Energy Innovation Trends Through Patents: Global Trends, Players and Impact

This study presents a comprehensive, data-driven analysis of global green energy innovation using patent evidence from 2000 to 2024. Employing a patentometric research design, the study analyzes 6,771 patent documents retrieved from the Lens.org database through a structured Boolean search applied to titles, abstracts, and claims. Longitudinal trend analysis was conducted to examine growth patterns, while technological specialization was assessed using CPC and IPC classifications to identify dominant and emerging green energy domains. The findings reveal a steady upward trajectory in green energy patenting, with pronounced acceleration after 2015 and a peak in 2022, reflecting intensified policy support, investment momentum, and global technological competition. Geographically, patenting activity is highly concentrated, with China emerging as the leading contributor, followed by the United States and Taiwan, indicating a significant eastward shift in innovation leadership. The innovation ecosystem comprises academic institutions, particularly Chinese universities, multinational corporations, energy firms, and individual inventors, demonstrating strong academia-industry linkages. Legal status analysis reveals a dynamic patent landscape characterized by active, pending, and discontinued filings, suggesting rapid technological evolution. Overall, the study offers a holistic patent-based mapping of green energy innovation and provides valuable insights for policymakers, researchers, and industry stakeholders supporting sustainable transitions.