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LAYERS: A Decision-Support Tool to Illustrate and Assess the Supply and Value Chain for the Energy Transition

Author

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  • Oliver Heidrich

    (School of Engineering, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK
    Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK)

  • Alistair C. Ford

    (School of Engineering, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK
    Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK)

  • Richard J. Dawson

    (School of Engineering, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK
    Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK)

  • David A. C. Manning

    (School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK)

  • Eugene Mohareb

    (School of Construction Management and Engineering, University of Reading, Reading RG6 6DF, UK)

  • Marco Raugei

    (School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford OX33 1HX, UK)

  • Joris Baars

    (School of Engineering, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK)

  • Mohammad Ali Rajaeifar

    (School of Engineering, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK
    Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK)

Abstract

Climate change mitigation strategies are developed at international, national, and local authority levels. Technological solutions such as renewable energies (RE) and electric vehicles (EV) have geographically widespread knock-on effects on raw materials. In this paper, a decision-support and data-visualization tool named “LAYERS” is presented, which applies a material flow analysis to illustrate the complex connections along supply chains for carbon technologies. A case study focuses on cobalt for lithium-ion batteries (LIB) required for EVs. It relates real business data from mining and manufacturing to actual EV registrations in the UK to visualize the intended and unintended consequences of the demand for cobalt. LAYERS integrates a geographic information systems (GIS) architecture, database scheme, and whole series of stored procedures and functions. By means of a 3D visualization based on GIS, LAYERS conveys a clear understanding of the location of raw materials (from reserves, to mining, refining, manufacturing, and use) across the globe. This highlights to decision makers the often hidden but far-reaching geo-political implications of the growing demands for a range of raw materials that are needed to meet long-term carbon-reduction targets.

Suggested Citation

  • Oliver Heidrich & Alistair C. Ford & Richard J. Dawson & David A. C. Manning & Eugene Mohareb & Marco Raugei & Joris Baars & Mohammad Ali Rajaeifar, 2022. "LAYERS: A Decision-Support Tool to Illustrate and Assess the Supply and Value Chain for the Energy Transition," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(12), pages 1-19, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:12:p:7120-:d:835687
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