 Heavy rare earths, permanent magnets, and renewable energies: An imminent crisisKaren Smith Stegen Energy Policy, 2015, vol. 79, issue C, 1-8 Abstract: This article sounds the alarm that a significant build-out of efficient lighting and renewable energy technologies may be endangered by shortages of rare earths and rare earth permanent magnets. At the moment, China is the predominant supplier of both and its recent rare earth industrial policies combined with its own growing demand for rare earths have caused widespread concern. To diversify supplies, new mining—outside of China—is needed. But what many observers of the “rare earth problem” overlook is that China also dominates in (1) the processing of rare earths, particularly the less abundant heavy rare earths, and (2) the supply chains for permanent magnets. Heavy rare earths and permanent magnets are critical for many renewable energy technologies, and it will require decades to develop new non-Chinese deposits, processing capacity, and supply chains. This article clarifies several misconceptions, evaluates frequently proposed solutions, and urges policy makers outside of China to undertake measures to avert a crisis, such as greater support for research and development and for the cultivation of intellectual capital. Keywords: Rare earths; Permanent magnets; Renewable energies; Energy security; China; Supply chains (search for similar items in EconPapers) Downloads: (external link) Related works: Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:enepol:v:79:y:2015:i:c:p:1-8 DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2014.12.015 Access Statistics for this article Energy Policy is currently edited by N. France More articles in Energy Policy from Elsevier |
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