Main minerals for energy storage

Why do we need minerals?

Minerals are essential components in many of today’s rapidly growing clean energy technologies – from wind turbines and electricity networks to electric vehicles. Demand for these minerals will grow quickly as clean energy transitions gather pace.

What is a critical energy transition mineral?

Critical energy transition minerals such as copper, lithium, nickel, cobalt and rare earth elements are essential components in many of today’s rapidly growing clean energy technologies – from wind turbines and solar panels to electric vehicles and battery storage.

What minerals are needed for a new power generation capacity?

Since 2010 the average amount of minerals needed for a new unit of power generation capacity has increased by 50% as the share of renewables in new investment has risen. The types of mineral resources used vary by technology. Lithium, nickel, cobalt, manganese and graphite are crucial to battery performance, longevity and energy density.

What minerals are used in wind power construction?

However, the construction and operation of such systems highly depends on many critical minerals like rare earth elements, lithium, and platinum group metals [, ]. For example, Dai et al. found that future wind power construction will heavily rely on some rare earth elements like dysprosium .

What are the different types of mineral resources?

The types of mineral resources used vary by technology. Lithium, nickel, cobalt, manganese and graphite are crucial to battery performance, longevity and energy density. Rare earth elements are essential for permanent magnets that are vital for wind turbines and EV motors.

Why are energy transition minerals so important?

High geographical concentration of production: Production of many energy transition minerals is more concentrated than that of oil or natural gas. For lithium, cobalt and rare earth elements, the world’s top three producing nations control well over three-quarters of global output.