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Critical Material Applications and Intensities in Clean Energy Technologies

Author

Listed:
  • Alexandra Leader

    (Golisano Institute for Sustainability, Rochester Institute of Technology, 1 Lomb Memorial Drive, Rochester, NY 14623, USA)

  • Gabrielle Gaustad

    (Inamori School of Engineering, Alfred University, 1 Saxon Drive, Alfred, NY 14802, USA)

Abstract

Clean energy technologies have been developed to address the pressing global issue of climate change; however, the functionality of many of these technologies relies on materials that are considered critical. Critical materials are those that have potential vulnerability to supply disruption. In this paper, critical material intensity data from academic articles, government reports, and industry publications are aggregated and presented in a variety of functional units, which vary based on the application of each technology. The clean energy production technologies of gas turbines, direct drive wind turbines, and three types of solar photovoltaics (silicon, CdTe, and CIGS); the low emission mobility technologies of proton exchange membrane fuel cells, permanent-magnet-containing motors, and both nickel metal hydride and Li-ion batteries; and, the energy-efficient lighting devices (CFL, LFL, and LED bulbs) are analyzed. To further explore the role of critical materials in addressing climate change, emissions savings units are also provided to illustrate the potential for greenhouse gas emission reductions per mass of critical material in each of the clean energy production technologies. Results show the comparisons of material use in clean energy technologies under various performance, economic, and environmental based units.

Suggested Citation

  • Alexandra Leader & Gabrielle Gaustad, 2019. "Critical Material Applications and Intensities in Clean Energy Technologies," Clean Technol., MDPI, vol. 1(1), pages 1-21, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jcltec:v:1:y:2019:i:1:p:12-184:d:253912
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Ewa Lewicka & Katarzyna Guzik & Krzysztof Galos, 2021. "On the Possibilities of Critical Raw Materials Production from the EU’s Primary Sources," Resources, MDPI, vol. 10(5), pages 1-21, May.
    2. Thibault Rafaïdeen & Neha Neha & Bitty Roméo Serge Kouamé & Stève Baranton & Christophe Coutanceau, 2020. "Electroreforming of Glucose and Xylose in Alkaline Medium at Carbon Supported Alloyed Pd3Au7 Nanocatalysts: Effect of Aldose Concentration and Electrolysis Cell Voltage," Clean Technol., MDPI, vol. 2(2), pages 1-20, June.
    3. Jay N. Meegoda & Daniel Watts & Hsin-Neng Hsieh & Bruno Bezerra de Souza, 2021. "Community Based Pollution Prevention for Two Urban Cities—A Case Study," Clean Technol., MDPI, vol. 3(1), pages 1-20, January.

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