Trends in patents for solar thermal utilization in China

Since 2000, solar thermal utilization (STU) has a great process in China, not only with a large scale commercial development, but also with an increasing number of scientific publications and patent applications. In this paper, several representative technologies of STU in China are studied based on an analysis of the relationship between patents and policies. Patent information of STU is collected and analyzed in terms of the time distribution, type distribution and technical trends. The main driving factor—energy policy—was discussed through the patent analysis. STU patents took off after the millennium and 85.8% of them came from the solar water heater. For conventional technologies, 94.2% of the granted patents were from companies and individuals, and the patents proposed by various research institutions were mainly in the technological beginning and technological maturity. Advanced technologies are still at a growth stage in China, and they have 412 patents in all and 70.5% of the patents were from systematic design and test method. Energy policies have played a significant role in promoting the progress of STU in China. Based on a patent analysis, it can be expected that STU will enter the age of medium-high temperature in China.

[1]  Mehmet Esen,et al.  Experimental investigation of a two-phase closed thermosyphon solar water heater , 2005 .

[2]  Wang Lei.  Patent Development Strategy for Chinese Solar Energy Industry , 2010 .

[3]  Elizabeth Hooper,et al.  Holding a candle to innovation in concentrating solar power technologies: A study drawing on patent data , 2011 .

[4]  David R. Luebke,et al.  Advances in CO2 capture technology: A patent review , 2013 .

[5]  Zhao Jun,et al.  Prospect of concentrating solar power in China : the sustainable future , 2008 .

[6]  Jie Liu,et al.  Integration of thermal energy and seawater desalination , 2010 .

[7]  Wang Ruzhu.  New development and perspective of solar air conditioning and cooling technology , 2008 .

[8]  Yann Ménière,et al.  Innovation and international technology transfer: The case of the Chinese photovoltaic industry , 2011 .

[9]  Jing Lei.  A Study on Patent Analysis Method of Solar Cell , 2007 .

[10]  Ben-Ran Fu,et al.  Statistical analysis of patent data relating to the organic Rankine cycle , 2014 .

[11]  Atul Sharma,et al.  Solar cooker with latent heat storage systems: A review , 2009 .

[12]  Mehmet Esen.  Thermal performance of a solar cooker integrated vacuum-tube collector with heat pipes containing different refrigerants , 2004 .

[13]  Xiaoqiang Zhai,et al.  Development of solar thermal technologies in China , 2010 .

[14]  Fang-Mei Tseng,et al.  Using patent data to analyze trends and the technological strategies of the amorphous silicon thin-film solar cell industry , 2011 .

[15]  Elias K. Stefanakos,et al.  Solar assisted sea water desalination: A review , 2013 .

[16]  Yin Zhiqiang,et al.  Development of solar thermal systems in China , 2005 .

[17]  Xiaoqiang Zhai,et al.  A review for absorbtion and adsorbtion solar cooling systems in China , 2009 .

[18]  Mehmet Esen.  Thermal performance of a solar-aided latent heat store used for space heating by heat pump , 2000 .

[19]  Zhongguo ke xue yuan,et al.  Energy Science & Technology in China: A Roadmap to 2050 , 2009 .

[20]  Anders Hagfeldt,et al.  Trends in patent applications for dye-sensitized solar cells , 2012 .

[21]  Runsheng Tang,et al.  Solar thermal utilization in China , 2004 .

[22]  Z. Zhuang,et al.  Field survey on indoor thermal environment of rural residences with coupled Chinese kang and passive solar collecting wall heating in Northeast China , 2007 .

[23]  Bin Hao,et al.  Review of solar obligations in China , 2012 .

[24]  Hassan E.S. Fath,et al.  A comprehensive techno-economical review of indirect solar desalination , 2011 .

[25]  Arthur P.J. Mol,et al.  Solar water heaters in China: A new day dawning , 2010 .

[26]  Jun Li.  Scaling up concentrating solar thermal technology in China , 2009 .

[27]  Zhifeng Wang,et al.  Prospectives for China's solar thermal power technology development , 2010 .

[28]  Soteris A. Kalogirou,et al.  Solar thermal collectors and applications , 2004 .

[29]  M. Lange,et al.  Patent indicators for the technology life cycle development , 2007 .

[30]  Wenxing Shi,et al.  Absorption heating technologies: A review and perspective , 2014 .

[31]  Z. Griliches.  Patent Statistics as Economic Indicators: a Survey , 1990 .

[32]  Xiaoqiang Zhai,et al.  Experiences on solar heating and cooling in China , 2008 .

[33]  Maohong Fan,et al.  The effects of cornstalk addition on the product distribution and yields and reaction kinetics of lignite liquefaction , 2014 .

[34]  Xing Li,et al.  Experimental study of a solar desalination system based on humidification–dehumidification process , 2011 .

[35]  Lin Xie,et al.  Progress and prospects of seawater desalination in China , 2005 .

[36]  D. Popp,et al.  Renewable Energy Policies and Technological Innovation: Evidence Based on Patent Counts , 2008 .