CGSR | Supply Chains for Clean Energy Technologies: Examining National Security Challenges

By Dr. Rod Eggert

Abstract: Clean energy technologies—like solar panels, wind turbines, and electric vehicles (EV)—require more mineral inputs than fossil-fuel energy for selected mineral resources, according to the International Energy Agency. For example, critical minerals like rare earth elements are needed in permanent magnets used in wind turbines and EV motors, while lithium, nickel, cobalt, and graphite are used in lithium-ion batteries. Demand growth worldwide is sparking geopolitical and market concerns around supply and price stability. Geopolitical concerns stem from China’s dominance of processing operations for several critical minerals and growth in China’s overseas mining assets. Dr. Eggert will provide an overview of the geopolitical challenges and market outlook of critical minerals, while also highlighting what the United States and allies can do to secure clean energy supply chains.

Bio: Dr. Rod Eggert is the Viola Vestal Coulter Foundation Chair in Mineral Economics at Colorado School of Mines, where he has taught since 1986. He is also deputy director of the Critical Materials Institute, a research consortium established by the U.S. Department of Energy in 2013, to accelerate innovation in energy materials. His research and teaching focus on mineral economics and public policy—especially, in recent years, on critical minerals and materials. He has testified on critical minerals and materials at committee hearings of the U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives, Canadian House of Commons and European Parliament.

LLNL-VIDEO-837096

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