Global metal flows in the renewable energy transition: Exploring the effects of substitutes, technological mix and development

André Månberger and Björn Stenqvist

Energy Policy, 2018, vol. 119, issue C, 226-241

Abstract: This study analysed demand for 12 metals in global climate mitigation scenarios up to 2060 and quantified the impacts on demand of different assumptions on improvements and technological mix. Annual and cumulative demands were compared with reserves and current mining rates. The study results showed that reserves are sufficient to support the total level of solar power, wind power and electric motors. Insufficient reserves may very well constrain certain sub-technologies, but substitutes that take the role of ‘back-stop’ technologies can be used instead. The exception is batteries, since lithium battery chemistries and reserves were incompatible with the scenarios analysed. Batteries of moderate size, lithium-free chemistry or reserve expansion would make the transition feasible.

Keywords: Climate change mitigation; Critical material; Transition; Resource; Scarcity; Substitutes (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (59)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:enepol:v:119:y:2018:i:c:p:226-241

DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2018.04.056

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