IP Review Summer 2018

European patent application filings each year. In direct contrast, the development of rechargeable battery powered vehicles has grown rapidly, and since 2013 approximately 800 European patent applications have been filed each year. Does this mean that rechargeable batteries are better suited to powering vehicles than hydrogen fuel cells? The trend in patent filings seems to be mirrored by the current sales numbers and increased consumer perception in the automotive sector. Last year, the number of battery powered cars on the roads worldwide rose to a record high of two million, according to research by the International Energy Agency. In the UK, we are becoming familiar with battery powered car brands such as Tesla, Lucid and Faraday. Many of the major car manufacturers have introduced their own versions of battery powered cars as well. Rechargeable batteries are also used in the rail sector and Bombardier’s Talent 3 EMU is a battery powered train suitable for short distances, for example in tunnels where overhead cables are difficult to install. For hydrogen fuel cell technology, the main barriers tomarket have been the supply of hydrogen fuel and infrastructure requirements. The hydrogen fuel is obtained fromwater using an electrolysis process. Whilst hydrogen is available in abundance, the electrolysis process requires electrical power and this is currently inefficient. However, wind farms are now increasingly being used to power electrolysis plants, so no CO 2 is produced when generating the hydrogen fuel in this way. Also, the Israel Institute of Technology has recently found a way of improving the efficiency of the electrolysis process by up to 100%. With the formation of the Hydrogen Council in 2017, the energy and transport industries are working together to see hydrogen technology play an essential role in global energy needs and they have pledged to invest 10 billion euros in hydrogen technologies and infrastructure over the next five years. Indeed, with 8,000 worldwide patents related to hydrogen technology, it seems that Toyota are committed to the commercialisation of this particular type of alternative power and it has recently launched the hydrogen poweredMira car. It is recognised that hydrogen fuel cells offer certain advantages over their rechargeable battery counterparts. For example, hydrogen has a much higher energy density, which gives a hydrogen powered vehicle a longer distance range. This higher energy density also means that hydrogen fuel cells are particularly well suited for powering heavier vehicles such as trains, buses and lorries. Consistent with this, ITM Power, who develop local hydrogen generating systems, have reported a strong order book linked to international growth in hydrogen powered buses and trains. Just over a year ago, Alstom introduced the new Coradia iLint train, marketed as the world’s first “zero-emission” hydrogen powered train. The iLint is intended to run on non-electrified tracks at 140 km/h, with a 600 to 800 km/tank load autonomy, and accommodate up to 300 passengers. A total of 14 fuel cell trains have already been commissioned by the Local Transport Authority of Lower Saxony in Germany and are scheduled to convey travellers between Cuxhaven, Bremerhaven, Bremervörde and Buxtehude from December 2021. Without a doubt, the need to find alternatives to the internal combustion engine will continue to spur on innovation. Although battery powered vehicles have taken an initial lead, it seems that hydrogen power has advantages and there is a commitment to utilising it effectively for vehicles. So, returning to the original question of hydrogen fuel cells vs. rechargeable batteries, it seems that both hydrogen fuel cell and rechargeable battery technology will become mainstream power sources for transportation. 11 Frank Harner fharner@withersrogers.com To find out more contact Rosie Hardy rhardy@withersrogers.com Alstom Coradia iLint hydrogen powered train’ and (c) Alstom / Michael Wittwer