Strategic mineral resources: availability and future estimations for the renewable energy sector

Calvo, G. (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Valero, A. (Universidad de Zaragoza)

Resumen: To keep the increase in global average temperature below 2 °C the use of renewable energy sources is essential. There are various scenarios for this energy transition depending on the amounts and types of renewable energies implemented. However, the material requirements to build new renewable power systems is rarely considered. It is key to understand the impact that the increasing demand of materials for renewable technologies could have on mining and mineral availability and so avoid potential disruptions. Thirteen strategic elements for the renewable energy sector have been analyzed which could generate supply shortages in the medium to long term. From the supply side, production, current resources and data related to future production have been compiled. From the demand side, element use in solar power (PV and CSP), wind energy (on and off-shore), and electric vehicles have been analyzed, as well as the demand of each element in other sectors from 2018 to 2050. Of the 13 elements included in this study, cobalt, lithium, tellurium, and nickel are the most critical of all. Technologies should be more effective in their use. Governments and companies should incorporate policies related to the conservation and extension of its life through recycling and servitisation to avoid resource depletion. © 2021 Elsevier B.V.

Idioma: Inglés

DOI: 10.1016/j.envdev.2021.100640

Año: 2022

Publicado en: Environmental Development 41 (2022), 100640[11 pp.]
ISSN: 2211-4645

Factor impacto JCR: 5.4 (2022)

Categ. JCR: ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES rank: 73 / 275 = 0.265 (2022) - Q2 - T1

Factor impacto CITESCORE: 7.8 - Social Sciences (Q1) - Environmental Science (Q1)

Factor impacto SCIMAGO: 1.117 - Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law (Q1) - Geography, Planning and Development (Q1)

Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/MINECO/ENE2017-85224-R

Tipo y forma: Article (Published version)

Área (Departamento): Área Didáctica Ciencias Exper. (Dpto. Didácticas Específicas)
Área (Departamento): Área Máquinas y Motores Térmi. (Dpto. Ingeniería Mecánica)