From emissions to resources: mitigating the critical raw material supply chain vulnerability of renewable energy technologies

Jan Mertens (), Jo Dewulf, Christian Breyer, Ronnie Belmans, Corinne Gendron, Patrice Geoffron, Luc Goossens, Carolyn Fischer, Elodie Fornel, Katharine Hayhoe, Katsu Hirose, Elodie Cadre-Loret, Richard Lester, Fanny Maigné, Habibou Maitournam, Paulo Emilio Valadão Miranda, Peter Verwee, Olivier Sala, Michael Webber and Koenraad Debackere
Additional contact information
Jan Mertens: ENGIE Research
Jo Dewulf: Ghent University
Christian Breyer: LUT University
Ronnie Belmans: K.U. Leuven
Corinne Gendron: Université du Québec À Montréal (UQAM)
Patrice Geoffron: Université Paris Dauphine-PSL
Luc Goossens: ENGIE Research
Carolyn Fischer: Sustainability and Infrastructure Team, World Bank Group
Elodie Fornel: ENGIE Research
Katharine Hayhoe: Texas Tech University
Katsu Hirose: HyWealth CO
Elodie Cadre-Loret: ENGIE Research
Richard Lester: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
Fanny Maigné: Simon Bolivarlaan
Habibou Maitournam: ENSTA Paristech
Paulo Emilio Valadão Miranda: Hydrogen Laboratory at Coppe-Federal University of Rio de Janeiro
Peter Verwee: Simon Bolivarlaan
Olivier Sala: ENGIE Research
Michael Webber: The University of Texas at Austin
Koenraad Debackere: KU Leuven

Mineral Economics, 2024, vol. 37, issue 3, No 15, 669-676

Abstract: Abstract The massive deployment of clean energy technologies plays a vital role in the strategy to attain carbon neutrality by 2050 and allow subsequent negative CO2 emissions in order to achieve our climate goals. An emerging challenge, known as ‘From Emissions to Resources,’ highlights the significant increase in demand for critical raw materials (CRMs) in clean energy technologies. Despite the presence of ample geological reserves, ensuring sustainable access to these materials is crucial for the successful transition to clean energy, taking into account the environmental and social impacts. The commentary centers on four renewable energy technologies namely solar photovoltaics, wind turbines, Li-ion batteries, and water electrolysers. Four pathways for mitigation are quantitatively examined to assess their potential in reducing the vulnerability of the CRM supply chain for these four clean energy technologies: (i) Enhancing material efficiency, (ii) employing substitutivity strategies, (iii) exploring recycling prospects, and (iv) promoting relocalisation initiatives. It is important to note that no single mitigation lever can completely eliminate the risk of CRM supply, rather the accelerated adoption of all four levers is necessary to minimize the CRM supply risk to its absolute minimum. Hence, the study underscores the significance of increased research, innovation, and regulatory initiatives, along with raising social awareness, in effectively addressing the challenges faced by the CRM supply chain and contributing to a sustainable energy transition.

Keywords: Energy transition; Materials criticality; Mining; Mineral processing; Renewable energy; Wind energy; Photovoltaics; Energy storage; Batteries; Hydrogen; Water electrolysis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1007/s13563-024-00425-2

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