- Our systems are based on 10 years of research and development in thermal energy storage at SINTEF - one of Europe's largest independent research organisations, says CTO and one of the founders, Alexis Sevault at Cartesian. He was a researcher at SINTEF Energi and is today the company's technical director. Together with former SINTEF colleagues, he is behind two innovations that are considered patentable by the Norwegian Industrial Property Office, NIPO.
Cartesian's solutions optimize energy consumption by balancing capacity in the network and storing surplus energy for later use. Cartesian thermal energy storage reduces energy consumption, energy costs and peak load demand. The solution is four to eight times more compact than conventional solutions for thermal storage.
Rights ensure the uniqueness of the innovations
Today, Cartesian only has an office in Trondheim, but the ambition is to become a leader in thermal energy storage for commercial buildings in Europe within a few years. To ensure that they achieve their ambition, they are betting on two innovations that make their message unique and better than competitors. Therefore, it was essential for them to register the rights to these two innovations in the form of patents, in addition to securing an international trademark, both in Europe and the USA. They have used the patent office for the application process. Sevault says a lot has happened in the environment around thermal energy storage in recent years, and the market in Europe is growing strongly due to increased electrification, power and power shortages and greater volatility in energy prices.
Has carried out preliminary investigations
- We used NIPO's preliminary investigations, especially around trademarks, says Sevault. It believes that this was particularly relevant to find out in which classes they could secure rights. They have also had a Freedom to operate basis drawn up in collaboration with an IP adviser to see what room for action they have.
The rights give a head start on the competitors
Sevault says that the rights ensure that, as a start-up company, they have better time to establish themselves on the market in any competition with larger businesses that may have faster market access than them. The technical differentiation also makes them stand out among other solutions on the market, and they can then link this to the brand's identity.
The IP strategy is in place
- Without going into too much detail, the main purpose of our IP strategy is that we want to create long-term value for Cartesian, and that we have enough freedom to operate with our unique technology in several market segments in the long term, says Sevault. - In addition, the IP strategy is anchored in our R&D roadmap, which has two main priorities: increasing the value to the end customer and optimizing production.
No copying experienced
- We have not yet experienced copying or infringement of our rights, says Sevault. - In any case, there is always a risk that this could appear at any time, and we therefore believe it is important to have as a starting point protecting our IP.
– Securing the IP rights has been essential for Cartesian to guarantee that we create long-term value for the company and that we have enough freedom to commercialize our technology internationally. This means that Cartesian can grow freely in various market segments in the long term, while the company safeguards its differentiation.
Alexis Sevault
IP essential for public support
Cartesian has made use of public support schemes. A concrete example is an ongoing innovation project that is part-funded by the Research Council, where two of their protected innovations mature from lab to commercial level. - Securing IP in advance has contributed positively to the submission of the project application, says Sevault.
Recommends other businesses to check the patent landscape
Sevault has this to say to others: - It is not unusual that when you come up with a good idea, you are not the first to have thought of it. Early in technology development, it is essential to become familiar with the relevant patent landscape to ensure that there is enough freedom to protect and commercialize the technology anywhere afterwards. With regard to exports, external capital is important, and secured IP will help create interest among investors.
