From cobalt and lithium for producing batteries, to iridium for making hydrogen. The success of the energy transition is strongly determined by the availability of scarce raw materials from a small number of countries. In order to limit this dependency, a material transition is also necessary in addition to an energy transition. Our knowledge partner TNO shows four examples of how they are working on alternative raw materials and production processes for even better batteries, electrolysers for hydrogen, solar panels and wind turbines.
Material transition in four examples
To make the energy transition a success, TNO is looking at all aspects of raw materials. Which materials are essential and how can they be secured? With these four examples, TNO shows how they are working on the material transition:
- Electric driving with cobalt-free batteries
- Smarter raw material consumption for smartphones
- Breakthrough in upscaling hydrogen production
- Circular solar panels are more sustainable
Read more about these examples
Green Deal and material transition: What does it take to get there?
Achieving the climate goals and limiting global warming will require an energy transition on an unprecedented scale. But to make that fossil-free future possible, raw materials are needed. A lot of raw materials, also concludes the Belgian university KU Leuven.
For example, if the European Union wants to meet the Green Deal target of climate neutrality by 2050, 35 times more lithium is needed than is currently consumed in Europe. The supply of aluminium, copper, silicon, nickel and cobalt must also be drastically increased for the production of electric vehicles and batteries, and technologies for renewable wind, solar energy and hydrogen.
Not only are there concerns about the available quantity of raw materials, but also about the security of supply. Europe is becoming dependent on a small number of resource-rich countries. Because every government wants to secure its energy supply, competition for raw materials will put geopolitical tensions on edge.
