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

Månberger, André LU and Stenqvist, Björn LU (2018) In Energy Policy 119. p.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... (More)

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. Choice of sub-technology (e.g. type of solar PV) had a decisive impact on demand for certain metals. Perceptions that many metals are critical and scarce for renewable energy transitions appear exaggerated if a dynamic view on technological development is adopted. Policy-relevant conclusions can be drawn from this, regarding e.g. the benefits of technological diversity, increasing metal intensity, recycling and integrating infrastructure and energy policies (e.g. fast chargers).

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author
and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
Climate change mitigation, Critical material, Resource, Scarcity, Substitutes, Transition
in
Energy Policy
volume
119
pages
16 pages
publisher
Elsevier
external identifiers
  • scopus:85046735544
ISSN
0301-4215
DOI
10.1016/j.enpol.2018.04.056
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
bc3f2d83-04b2-40b7-b3df-4239240eb45a
date added to LUP
2018-05-21 14:12:39
date last changed
2022-04-02 00:16:50
@article{bc3f2d83-04b2-40b7-b3df-4239240eb45a,
  abstract     = {{<p>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. Choice of sub-technology (e.g. type of solar PV) had a decisive impact on demand for certain metals. Perceptions that many metals are critical and scarce for renewable energy transitions appear exaggerated if a dynamic view on technological development is adopted. Policy-relevant conclusions can be drawn from this, regarding e.g. the benefits of technological diversity, increasing metal intensity, recycling and integrating infrastructure and energy policies (e.g. fast chargers).</p>}},
  author       = {{Månberger, André and Stenqvist, Björn}},
  issn         = {{0301-4215}},
  keywords     = {{Climate change mitigation; Critical material; Resource; Scarcity; Substitutes; Transition}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{08}},
  pages        = {{226--241}},
  publisher    = {{Elsevier}},
  series       = {{Energy Policy}},
  title        = {{Global metal flows in the renewable energy transition : Exploring the effects of substitutes, technological mix and development}},
  url          = {{https://lup.lub.lu.se/search/files/43492648/1_s2.0_S0301421518302726_main.pdf}},
  doi          = {{10.1016/j.enpol.2018.04.056}},
  volume       = {{119}},
  year         = {{2018}},
}