Why We Need This Material More Than Oil Now

Copper, tracing its significance back to the Bronze Age, has entrenched itself as an indispensable material in modern civilization. Revered for its exceptional conductivity properties, it’s ubiquitously found in everyday items, ranging from smartphones to vehicles. Furthermore, copper’s inherent ability to be recycled means that a vast majority of it remains actively circulating, with studies indicating only 12% has been mined globally. However, with the recent shift towards a more electrified and green society, the demand for copper is surging. Leading automobile manufacturers, such as Tesla and BMW, require substantial quantities for their electric vehicles, substantially more than what’s needed for traditional gas vehicles. This growing demand, further augmented by the need for extensive power grids and renewable energy infrastructures like solar plants and wind turbines, led Goldman Sachs to dub copper as “the new oil,” predicting its price to leap exponentially.

However, the perceived shortage doesn’t equate to the depletion of copper reserves; there’s an abundance of it yet to be tapped. The real challenge lies in bolstering the mining and recycling sectors to ramp up production to meet escalating demands. If these industries can effectively scale up, copper prices might stabilize. If not, the inevitable march of innovation suggests that alternative solutions will emerge. In any scenario, humanity’s adaptive nature ensures a continued stride towards a sustainable future for subsequent generations.

[Interestingengineeringofficial]

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[anuardalhar]

For power grid transmission we do not use copper cables because it is too expensive.

We use purer form of aluminium cables with steel core for strength.

Copper is used in the generator, motor, tranformer, switch gear and internal cabling in power plant and factories.

[stickynorth]

In a lot of practical ways for thieves now it certainly is more valuable than oil since I see FAR more copper theft where I live than gas and dashes...

[themusicgaragetmg]

The problem isn't a lack of copper or any mineral, but the way we don't actually recycle and the main reason for that is the way our political and commercial systems are aligned. They are more motivated to exploit and plunder rather than to actually seek efficiencies aligned to balance. Just imagine if there was an incentive for us to actually recycle coz it gives us credits. Actual credit and not the fractions of the pennies they pay these days but actual incentives that make it more attractive for recycling to happen.

[demolitiondan]

Silver is the most undervalued metal by far; it is the BEST conductor of energy (electricity, thermal, etc.). 🤔👍🏻👍🏻

[AWAG_FK]

That quote from Elon was misleading. They reduced the amount of copper in the cars by increasing the accessory voltage from 12-48v. It means they can use thinner gauge wire. It had nothing to do with the batteries.

[pernilsson]

It was not "Blacksmiths" that made a legetion between copper and tin!

The use and ability to use iron, hence "Blacksmith" was developed later historicaly, than the brinze alloys.
Copper, hence "Redsmiths", predates the Blacksmith eras.
As we now know it.

[andrewmE]

Copper isn't C it's Cu on the Periotic Table 😂

[Sciptopia]

Everyone gangster until wireless power transmission over long distances becomes a thing

[AwokenEntertainment]

crazy to think this was used in all the original pennies

[motoscro]

Experts from Goldman Sachs, I laughed and at the same time up chucked a little. 🤠

[richmiller]

GOLD and silver are Both better conductors.

[jamessmith-yksc]

many of coppers uses can be replaced by aluminum, certainly most large long distance power lines are aluminum now.

[Funktastico]

Power grids transmission lines are Aluminum core.

[adrt]

There are far too many elements that can be used across a number of different applications for copper to be a problem let alone the supply + mining it from space. The real qustion will be when will copper be replace by carbon wire instead. Once we can figure out how to make it at scale better - that will be the wire of choice because it will be stronger than steel + have low res thus less power gets converted into heat.

[bigbuilder]

Copper is almost never used in transmission lines. Too expensive and also sags too much for HV lines. Aluminum and steel are used almost exclusively for transmission lines. Additionally, the focus on solar and wind to justify copper demands leaves out that nuclear and hydro are two of the least copper / critical mineral hungry power sources that are also green energy sources. Nuclear requires roughly 1.25 t/MW according to a 2021 report from the international energy agency. Interestingly enough, their numbers cite solar and wind as the most copper / critical mineral hungry energy sources. Solar at roughly 3 t/MW, onshore wind at roughly the same as solar, and offshore wind at 8 t/MW

[kevino]

Copper is farther down the periodic table than "C" (Carbon). I'm not sure why that reference was made to draw a square around Carbon.

[markmorash]

@ about 2:49 a regular gasoline car requires about 50 pounds of copper & @ 2:53 an EV requires 83 KGs. Was there an editor? It should state 50 to 183 pounds or 23 to 83 kg.

[CUBETechie]

With a specific method you can use copper in photovoltaic instead of Silver and the good thing is the copper one is cheaper and the energy Harvest is higher

[SamsungLe-vzuy]

copper will never be worth more than gold