Critical Minerals are Key in Deploying Renewable Technologies
Critical minerals are more than humble ores found buried deep within the dirt, they are scarce but highly sought-after resources deemed of high importance in relation to defense, technology and energy production for nations. When it comes to renewable energy, critical minerals are vital in the production of next-generation electric vehicles, modern batteries and other energy-generating technologies such as wind and solar.
sustainable energy sources such as solar, hydro and wind-powered technologies are widely regarded as ideal modern solutions to combat nonrenewable energy consumption. However, these types of technologies are being ushered into the new age of technology through the incorporation of several key critical minerals such as tungsten found inside batteries, solar panels and wind turbines, thus allowing for more efficient levels of energy conduction and storage.
1. Wind Power
Tungsten is embraced in modern renewables because of its exceptional durability and strength, is now frequently used in the manufacturing of wind turbine blades as part of high-performance alloys that last longer than traditional blade materials. Wind turbine blades must also be carefully balanced to achieve peak performance while minimising stress on the turbine construction. With their high density, tungsten alloys are an ideal choice for producing blade counterweights. These counterweights serve to distribute weight uniformly, improving the aerodynamics of the turbine blades and overall efficiency.
Tungsten carbide, recognised for its exceptional hardness and wear resistance, is used in coatings and surfaces exposed to harsh environments inside wind turbines. Tungsten carbide coatings help gearbox bearings, shafts, and seals by extending their life and reducing wear and tear caused by continual rotation and exposure to the elements.
2. Electric Vehicles
Critical Minerals in Renewables Infographic
Electric vehicles are at the forefront of a modern shift towards reducing carbon emissions and providing clean transportation technology. Progress in the EV industry is intimately woven with society’s growing utilisation of critical minerals. Next-generation Lithium-ion batteries lie at the core of electric vehicles and rely heavily on key minerals such as lithium, nickel, cobalt and tungsten.
Cobalt - used frequently to help stabilise battery cathodes to improve efficiency and safety
Tungsten - found in cutting-edge lithium tungsten oxide batteries that exhibit even higher energy storage capacities and improved stability over their predecessors.
Nickel - helps extend the longevity of lithium-ion batteries and reduces capacity fade.
As the global demand for electric vehicles rises, ensuring a steady and stable supply of these key minerals becomes increasingly important.
3. Solar Power
At the centre of every solar panel are photovoltaic cells, which turn sunlight into electricity. Tungsten appears in these cells, primarily in the form of tungsten oxide coatings. These coatings function as transparent conductive sheets, enabling sunlight to pass while promoting the efficient flow of energy within the cell. This increases the total efficiency of solar panels, resulting in maximum energy conversion from sunlight.
Tungsten as a material, has remarkable heat resistance, allowing solar panels to survive high temperatures without losing performance. Furthermore, tungsten's strength improves the endurance of solar panels, increasing their life and lowering maintenance costs over time.
Tungsten is also essential for maintaining high-temperature operations. Heat absorbers and receivers subjected to intense sun radiation rely on tungsten's heat resistance to prevent degradation and ensure peak performance. This allows solar energy facilities to run efficiently even in places with high sunshine and heat levels, making them a viable renewable energy solution.
4. Critical Minerals Strategy
Recognising the importance of key minerals, governments and industries around the world are developing initiatives to ensure a stable and ethically sustainable supply chain. A comprehensive critical minerals plan includes finding domestic sources, forming international relationships, and pushing for responsible mining methods.
Take tungsten, for example, a key metal used in the renewable energy sector in addition to electronics, defense, aerospace and a myriad of other core industries. With an increasingly fragile supply chain for this key mineral, in order to avoid potential supply chain disruptions, purchasing from a diverse variety of sources is crucial.
Tungsten Metals Group is committed to decreasing risk in global tungsten supply chains by offering a dependable alternative to China's current predominance and control over supply. Our USP offers the inclusion of ethical sourcing, state-of-the-art manufacturing techniques, and environmentally friendly practices in the largest production capacity of ferrotungsten outside of China. Explore more about our Critical Minerals Strategy and our efforts to contribute to a more resilient and sustainable future.
5. Ethical Concerns
While these minerals propel technological progress, their extraction and production has not been without controversy. Often these resources are mined and manufactured in conflict regions, areas of lower economic prosperity and lower living standards. Because of this, concerns about environmental and social impacts related to their acquirement have fueled a renewed drive for responsible mining and manufacturing methods. Companies and governments alike recognise the importance of balancing demand with ethical norms.
Tungsten Metals Group’s ferrotungsten production plant (Asia Tungsten Products Vietnam Ltd.) is recognised by the Responsible Minerals Initiative (RMI) as conformant with the Responsible Assurance Process and adheres to strict guidelines and routine annual audits to maintain tungsten production standards. We are also proud members of the International Tungsten Industry Association.
6. The Future
The road to procure essential minerals for sustainable energy technologies is a collaborative effort that crosses borders and sectors. Governments, industries, and research institutions are increasingly working to improve supply chains and develop new extraction technologies. As the world moves towards a low-carbon future, the relationship between these essential minerals and clean energy will continue to shape the course of progress.
From the first gust of wind that propels a turbine to the final watt of energy stored for future use, key minerals like tungsten are the silent but tremendous force driving our clean energy goals. Their value is undeniable, extending to all aspects of renewable energy, electric vehicles, and energy storage. As we work towards a greener, more sustainable future, a well-crafted critical minerals plan is no longer an option; it is a prerequisite. By assuring a steady supply, ethical extraction, and cooperative global efforts, we can accelerate the advancement of critical minerals and, by extension, the clean energy technologies that are changing our planet for the better.