The Raw Materials in Energy Technologies
Behind every energy technology are the raw materials that power it, support it, or help build it.
From the lithium in batteries to the copper cabling in offshore wind farms, every energy technology harnesses the properties of one or the other mineral. And the world is shifting towards clean energy technologies, which are more mineral-intensive than their fossil-fuel counterparts.
The above infographic uses data from the World Bank’s Climate Action report and charts the 2050 demand for 15 minerals from energy technologies, as a percentage of 2020 production.
Material Demand from Energy Technologies
Energy sources make use of various minerals that offer different properties and functionalities.
For instance, geothermal power plants use steel alloys with large quantities of titanium to withstand high heat and pressure. Similarly, solar panels use silver for its high conductivity, and hydropower plants use steel alloys with chromium, which hardens steel and makes it corrosion-resistant.
The demand for these energy technologies and minerals will grow alongside our energy needs. Here are some of the minerals that are expected to see increasing demand from energy technologies through 2050, relative to current production levels:
| Mineral | 2020 Production (thousand tonnes) | 2050 Annual Projected Demand (thousand tonnes) | 2050 Demand as a % of 2020 Production |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lithium | 82 | 415 | 506% |
| Cobalt | 140 | 644 | 460% |
| Graphite | 1,100 | 4,590 | 417% |
| Indium | 0.9 | 1.73 | 192% |
| Vanadium | 86 | 138 | 161% |
| Nickel | 2,500 | 2,268 | 91% |
| Silver | 25 | 15 | 60% |
| Lead | 4,400 | 781 | 18% |
| Molybdenum | 300 | 33 | 11% |
| Copper | 20,000 | 1,378 | 7% |
| Aluminum | 65,200 | 5,583 | 9% |
| Manganese | 18,500 | 694 | 4% |
| Chromium | 40,000 | 366 | 0.92% |
| Iron | 1,500,000 | 7,584 | 0.51% |
| Titanium | 8,200 | 3.44 | 0.04% |
Lithium, cobalt, and graphite—the key ingredients of EV batteries—will see the largest increases in demand, each requiring more than a 400% increase relative to 2020 production. These figures can look even more substantial once we bear in mind that this demand is only from energy technologies, and these minerals have other uses too.
Indium and vanadium may be among the lesser-known minerals in this list, however, they are important. Indium demand is expected to rise to 1,730 tonnes by 2050—largely because of demand from solar energy. Similarly, vanadium may also see a large spike in demand due to the growing need for energy storage technologies.
On the other end of the spectrum, iron and aluminum have the largest demand figures in absolute terms. However, miners already produce large quantities of these minerals, and their demand in 2050 represents less than 10% of current production levels.
The Supply and Demand Equation
Although some metals are available in abundance within the Earth’s crust, their demand and supply don’t always match up.
For example, falling copper ore grades in Chile are raising concerns over copper’s long-term supply and Citigroup projects a 521,000-tonne copper shortage for 2021. In addition, a large portion of lithium, cobalt, and graphite production occurs in a few regions, putting the battery supply chain at risk of disruptions.
While supply may be in uncertain territory, it’s extremely likely that demand will rise. As the world transitions to clean energy, a sustainable supply of these minerals could be key to meeting the raw material needs of energy technologies.
