Chemie Ingenieur Technik, Vol.90, No.1-2, 141-153, 2018
Demand, Supply, and Price Trends for Mineral Raw Materials Relevant to the Renewable Energy Transition
For the next decades, wind and solar photovoltaic power generation is predicted to have the largest growth rates among renewable energy systems. This includes new stationary energy storage systems such as redox flow or Li-ion battery systems, which are almost none existent in current electricity networks. The demand, supply, and price situation for base and minor metals most relevant for these renewable energy technologies is reviewed and future demand scenarios are considered. Further market specific differences for base and minor metal markets are demonstrated and future challenges for their supply are outlined.