Germany Leads the Way in Offshore Wind Industry Innovations

A comparative patent analysis between the leading offshore wind nations: Denmark, England and Germany, has set the German offshore wind industry as a clear frontrunner in the field of innovation.

The subsidiary of Wind Energy Agency WAB e.V., germanwind GmbH, came to this conclusion after examining more than 3,000 patents through its scientific research.

“65% of all examined offshore wind patents come from Germany! This is a very good result and demonstrates an innovative, high-technology industry,” said Ronny Meyer, CEO of WAB.

“Now, the objective of the industry and politics is to ensure that we expand this leadership on and in that way play a key role in the international offshore market,” explains Daniela Schimrigk, Project Manager of the germanwind GmbH.

According to the analysis, the number of annual patent applications significantly increased since 2012.

WAB’s subsidiary germanwind GmbH examined patents from 1992 to 2013, which are registered in the offshore wind sector by Denmark, the Great Britain and Germany. The patents cover the areas of: “blades or rotors,” “components or gear”, “regulation of turbines,” “generator or fittings”, “nacelles”, “offshore towers”, “network connectivity-related applications” and “energy management within the offshore wind farm “. In all classifications, German offshore wind industry had the highest number of patent applications. 

Offshore WIND Staff, March 5, 2014; Image: bard-offshore