The issue of raw materials

Technological Independence

The transition to renewable energy sources and the deployment of energy storage technologies to fulfill the 2030 sustainability goals and agreements involve a significant increase in demand for certain key raw materials.

These raw materials are an essential element from a technological point of view, but their extraction, scarcity, and location represent extra challenges. The perspective of the need for change in the face of an increasingly decarbonized reality makes it necessary to evaluate this issue from a broader point of view than sustainability itself. Some of these critical raw materials include:

• Lithium: Lithium is essential for lithium-ion batteries, used in electric vehicles, energy storage systems, and other electronic devices. The demand for lithium has increased considerably with the growth of electric mobility and energy storage. The most common method of extracting lithium involves the use of underground brines, but this process can negatively affect local water resources and the environment. In addition, the concentration of lithium in brines can differ, and it affects the efficiency of the extraction process. Most lithium reserves are located in a small number of countries, which can create dependency and vulnerability in the global supply chain.

• Cobalt: Although there are efforts to develop recycling technologies and reduce reliance on mining, most cobalt is still obtained from ore mining. That raises concerns about sustainability and long-term resource availability. It is still a key component in lithium-ion batteries, but its extraction, dominated especially in the DRC, has been associated with poor working conditions, child labour, and social problems. The industry faces challenges in ensuring ethical and sustainable practices in the supply chain, combating these problems with research into technologies with less cobalt. Its complete elimination is an area of active research.

• Neodymium and other rare earth elements: These elements are essential for the manufacture of neodymium-iron-boron permanent magnets (rare earth magnets), used in high-efficiency wind generators and electric motors. Neodymium is a key element, which is widely used in high-tech products; however, the procurement of neodymium can face some problems arising from the associated mining itself, such as high water consumption and related environmental degradation. Demand for neodymium has increased considerably with the growth of technology and the electrification of vehicles, which means that fluctuations in supply and demand can affect the price and availability of neodymium in the global market.

• Copper: Copper is essential for electricity infrastructure, cables, and transmission systems, and its demand has increased with the expansion of renewable energy. Copper mining and processing often require large amounts of water. In regions where water is scarce, this requirement can pose significant problems, affecting both the industry and local communities. This has a significant social impact, including the relocation of local communities, conflicts with indigenous communities, and tensions in relations with local populations. As high-grade ore deposits become less common, the copper industry faces the challenge of processing the veins with more advanced and costly processing techniques, making the resource more expensive.

• Silicon: Used in the manufacture of photovoltaic solar panels and lithium-ion batteries, demand for silicon has increased with the growth of solar energy and storage technologies. Silicon is a crucial material in the manufacture of solar panels, as it is used both in monocrystalline and polycrystalline silicon forms. Despite being one of the most abundant elements in the earth’s crust, the supply of silicon for solar panels can face some challenges, such as the concentration of production in a few countries. This leads to supply-side cuts to tend to increase orders and entail trade restrictions, policy changes, and other geopolitical factors. The solar industry is working to increase the efficiency of production processes, explore alternative sources of silicon, improve recycling technologies, and expand production capacity to meet growing demand.

• Aluminium: It is used in the construction of structures for renewable energy installations and for the manufacture of electric vehicles. Aluminium is mainly obtained from bauxite, and bauxite reserves are unevenly distributed around the world. Mining of this material can be associated with social problems, such as the relocation of local communities, land conflicts, and human rights issues. It is also energy intensive, which can contribute to high operating costs and greenhouse gas emissions.

• Nickel: Used in rechargeable batteries, and research is ongoing to develop lithium-ion battery technologies with less or no nickel. Nickel mining and processing can present occupational health risks, as exposure to nickel dust and vapour can be harmful to workers. Most nickel is mined from lateritic deposits, which require specific processing techniques. These techniques can be expensive and generate large amounts of waste, contributing to the associated environmental challenges. Although nickel is recyclable, recycling of the metal is sometimes not carried out efficiently. More effective recycling practices, which can help reduce reliance on new nickel mining and reduce the environmental footprint, should be encouraged.

• Graphite: It is part of the electrodes in lithium-ion batteries. Graphite extraction often involves mining operations, and environmental impacts can include landscape disturbance, water, and soil contamination, as well as the generation of mining waste. For certain applications, graphite may require purification processes and high-temperature heat treatments. These processes can be energy-intensive and generate polluting emissions.

The sustainable management of these raw materials has become a critical issue to ensure that the transition to renewable energies does not generate negative environmental impacts or supply problems. In addition, research is being done to find alternatives and improve the efficiency in the use of these materials, such as the  EOLIAN which currently involves more than 10 companies and research centers. This project aims to manufacture a prototype wind turbine blade from reusable materials, using a recyclable and repairable vitrimer resin with a significant “bio” component content combined with basalt fibers.

Such projects point the way to the future in the technological independence necessary for the successful deployment of a sustainable energy sector.