The power industry continues to be a hotbed of innovation, with activity driven by optimising the performance of the power distribution network and improving the quality of the distributed power, and growing importance of technologies such as smart grids, intelligent substations, and distribution automation. In the last three years alone, there have been over 439,000 patents filed and granted in the power industry, according to GlobalData’s report on Artificial Intelligence in Power: Power distribution system modelling.
However, not all innovations are equal and nor do they follow a constant upward trend. Instead, their evolution takes the form of an S-shaped curve that reflects their typical lifecycle from early emergence to accelerating adoption, before finally stabilising and reaching maturity.
Identifying where a particular innovation is on this journey, especially those that are in the emerging and accelerating stages, is essential for understanding their current level of adoption and the likely future trajectory and impact they will have.
90+ innovations will shape the power industry
According to GlobalData’s Technology Foresights, which plots the S-curve for the power industry using innovation intensity models built on over 83,000 patents, there are 90+ innovation areas that will shape the future of the industry.
Within the emerging innovation stage, power distribution system modelling, electricity supply distribution models, and AI-assisted power fault monitoring are disruptive technologies that are in the early stages of application and should be tracked closely. Smart batteries, renewable energy integrated microgrids, and smart lighting systems are some of the accelerating innovation areas, where adoption has been steadily increasing. Among maturing innovation areas are prepaid electricity metering and home automation networks, which are now well established in the industry.
Innovation S-curve for artificial intelligence in the power industry
Power distribution system modelling is a key innovation area in artificial intelligence
Power distribution system modelling involves a software model of the electric grid that include its components and characteristics to plan and envisage a reliable operation. The model helps to study the electrical components such as transformers, switches, breakers and other components, and build a real-time scenario for a better power distribution network.
GlobalData’s analysis also uncovers the companies at the forefront of each innovation area and assesses the potential reach and impact of their patenting activity across different applications and geographies. According to GlobalData, there are 10+ companies, spanning technology vendors, established power companies, and up-and-coming start-ups engaged in the development and application of power distribution system modelling.
Key players in power distribution system modelling– a disruptive innovation in the power industry
‘Application diversity’ measures the number of different applications identified for each relevant patent and broadly splits companies into either ‘niche’ or ‘diversified’ innovators.
‘Geographic reach’ refers to the number of different countries each relevant patent is registered in and reflects the breadth of geographic application intended, ranging from ‘global’ to ‘local’.
Patent volumes related to power distribution system modelling
| Company | Total patents (2010 - 2021) | Premium intelligence on the world's largest companies |
| State Grid Corporation of China | 306 | Unlock company profile |
| China Southern Power Grid | 102 | Unlock company profile |
| NARI Technology | 56 | Unlock company profile |
| State Grid Information and Telecommunication | 39 | Unlock company profile |
| LS Electric | 29 | Unlock company profile |
| ABB | 26 | Unlock company profile |
| Schneider Electric | 17 | Unlock company profile |
| NARI Group | 16 | Unlock company profile |
| Clean Power Research | 16 | Unlock company profile |
| Siemens | 11 | Unlock company profile |
| International Business Machines | 9 | Unlock company profile |
| Hitachi | 9 | Unlock company profile |
| State Grid Shanghai Municipal Electric Power Company | 8 | Unlock company profile |
| State Grid NARI Nanjing Control System | 8 | Unlock company profile |
| Korea Electric Power | 8 | Unlock company profile |
| WaveTech Global | 6 | Unlock company profile |
| State Grid Jibei Electric Power | 5 | Unlock company profile |
| Nanjing Nanrui Group Company | 5 | Unlock company profile |
| EDSA Micro | 5 | Unlock company profile |
Source: GlobalData Patent Analytics
ABB and Schneider Electric filed the highest number of patents between 2010 and 2021 for power distribution system modelling. ABB’s digital substation products are reshaping the power distribution business. Recently, ABB launched all-in-one protection and control relay REX10, which will support safe and sustainable electrification when the power distribution network continues to grow.
To further understand how artificial intelligence is disrupting the power industry, access GlobalData’s latest thematic research report on AI in Power.
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GlobalData, the leading provider of industry intelligence, provided the underlying data, research, and analysis used to produce this article.
GlobalData’s Patent Analytics tracks patent filings and grants from official offices around the world. Textual analysis and official patent classifications are used to group patents into key thematic areas and link them to specific companies across the world’s largest industries.
