The Potential Scarcity of Rare Elements for the Energiewende

摘要: In the next few decades there is expected to be a global shift in power generation from fossil fuels and nuclear fission various forms of renewable energy. This process will accompanied, however, by strong demand for non-fuel raw materials required generation, storage, transmission utilisation these energy forms. Some are potentially exhaustible; some already regarded, rightly or wrongly, as geochemically “scarce”. Many them have been characterised steep price increases recent years. Examples neodymium, praseodymium dysprosium rare earth-based permanent magnets wind turbines; indium, gallium, selenium tellurium thin film solar cells; helium. The supply situation with regard such elements often described “critical”. A possible geochemical scarcity is, not only factor contributing this designation; influenced other parameters. We discuss use terms “critical” “criticality” context, pointing out confusion which arises because different meaning physical sciences. examining mentioned above – both respect their specific energy-oriented applications we look at issues potential scarcity, substitutability extraction by-product. Together recycling three important indicators, constraint parameters, so-called criticality analyses. Geochemical seems play role case helium could also soon become apparent tellurium, indium possibly dysprosium. conclude that may pertain consequence mineral depletion when average grades ore falling, but same time inflation-corrected prices rising. metals production like nearly all resource-consuming systems our society does satisfy “strong” sustainability criteria.