Innovative startups are a volcanic and boiling world. And those dedicated to the energy sector are no different. The growth rates were respectively 73 and 70 percent in just a few years, an explosion of new initiatives that saw innovative startups go from 1050 in 2014 to 9.344 last year, which have already become 10.281 in these first months of 2019 .
These are the data certified by the annual report on energy innovation presented by I-Com, the think tank on competitiveness chaired by the economist Stefano da Empoli. This year the report, edited by Antonio Sileo, touches the central key of the evolution of the system from fossil sources to renewable ones and already in the title – “The puzzle of the transition. Energy innovation, the key to development” – makes us understand where we should go and where it doesn't seem to be going despite the more than commendable efforts undertaken by private companies to encourage the growth of energy startups. There is a lack of systemic effort, an economic policy framework that favors growth and the result is that startups are unable to reach the necessary shock mass and applications for energy patents are still low - just 881, equal to 0,8 % of total globally. "Only 4,2% of energy start-ups have capital exceeding 250.000 euros and even those with a considerable production value - exceeding 500.000 euros - are few, equal to 9,5% of the total", stressed Stefano from Empoli in presenting the report, developed in partnership with Assogasmetano, Acquirente Unico, Axpo, Cnh Industrial, e2i energie speciali, Elettricità Futura, Enel, E-On, EP Produzione, Gruppo Api and Unione Petrolifera.
Lights and shadows, then. Broadening our gaze to Europe, Spain obtains results similar to ours while France (5% of the total) and above all Germany (8,1% of the total) do much better. Absolutely the Japan remains first in the world with 30.683 patents granted in the energy field while China is pressing on: "It continues to grow at a pace that is unequaled compared to its international competitors as a whole, and to a greater extent compared to the patent activity in the technological areas as a whole", said Antonio Sileo. “If the current trends are confirmed” – he added – “We will see the change in first position between China and Japan as early as 2019” . The United States is not watching and is contending for second position with Japan.
Returning to Italy, the vast majority of energy patents come from private companies while the share of universities, foundations and public research bodies is residual. Lombardy remains the leader, followed by Lazio.
From an economic point of view, while the electric mobility revolution is making great strides, one can sense not only the enormous potential of innovative energy startups but also the mad absence of the public entity. The most sensational case is that of batteries and, in particular, energy storage (cabinet batteries for storing electricity produced from renewable sources): it is a key sector, on which the activity of Japan and the United States is concentrated, while Germany alone yielded 700 patents. The other sector on which the Germans concentrate is that of electric mobility (vehicles and recharging stations), leaving the other European countries behind. Italy risks marginalization.
Yet, highlights the report “for the startup ecosystem as a whole, there is talk of a value of up to 3,7 billion euros, of which over a fifth generated in the southern regions. Furthermore, 15% of this total value can be attributed to energy startups alone (over 500 million euros)”. And the occupation? "Less relevant, but still growing: up to almost 68.000 jobs are estimated (more than half in Northern Italy), of which about 9.500 in the energy sector alone".
