heavier than aluminum, and about three to four times more expensive on a weight basis. Copper is typically used for subsea and underground
lines, while aluminum is preferred for overhead lines due to its lighter weight. From a cost perspective, aluminum is being considered for underground lines as well as regulation permits. Another mitigation measure to reduce the impact of increased electrification would be a scale-up in the use of high voltage direct current (HVDC) to complement the traditional alternating current (HVAC) systems currently in place. HVDC only requires two cables vs three with HVAC, which would reduce the need for mining and metals. Therefore, HVDC cables are usually cheaper than HVAC and have minimal losses. However, the costs and losses of DC converters are significantly higher than AC transformers, and the break-even distance between the two systems still need to be reduced to promote HVDC further. What is next? In part one, we have reviewed how metals, batteries, and electrical infrastructure must change substantially in the coming years to meet the shift to an electrical power-based economy and reduce fossil fuel usage to meet the targets of the Paris Accord. This shift in energy sources must also occur during a period of continued population and economic growth and will require new levels of energy efficiency. In part two, we will examine hydrogen as a potential solution, define what Scope 1, 2, and 3 emission reductions really mean, and provide context for energy providers to consider as they work through this transition.
and the situation is very similar for rare earth elements (wind turbines and electric vehicle motors), as well as for copper, silicon, silver (solar PV), and aluminum (electricity networks). Supply chain assurance will be required to mitigate risks of disruption for various reasons such as political instability or trade restrictions. Battery recycling will help mitigate the risk of supply disruption, but it is anticipated that the recycling of spent lithium-ion batteries will only account for about 8% of the demand. Current recycling technologies are energy intensive, partly because batteries are not designed with future end-of-life recycling in mind. Advances in battery recycling are critical to ensure that we are not simply trading the extraction of oil for he extraction of metals. Other mitigation measures should include a diversification of the supply partners, with an increased collaboration of all the supply chain stakeholders, supported by higher transparency, and a consistent set of social and environmental standards. Expansion in electrical infrastructure Electricity networks are a key element of reliable power systems and will play a decisive role in the growth of renewable power adoption. Most power line’s length (90%) is made up of the distribution systems, serving to deliver power to the end users. The transmission systems connecting the heavy power production centres (power plants, solar and wind power production facilities) to the load centres make up the remaining 10%. The electrification wave coming from the energy transition will require building new lines and refurbishing existing ones for increased resilience to more extreme weather events. The anticipated increase in terms of power lines due to energy transition is estimated to increase by a factor of five between 2020 and 2050. The traditional metals used in power cables are copper and aluminum. Copper’s electrical and thermal conductivity are both about 60% higher than aluminum’s. However, copper is three times
One of the main anticipated future constraints and risks is the high concentration in terms of players, not only in the mining industry, but also in the proce sing/refining industry. Th main metals under consideration are Lithium, Nickel, Cobalt, Manganese and Graphite (batteries), and the situation is very similar for rare earth elements (wind turbines and electric vehicle motors), as well as for Copper, Silicon, Silver (solar PV), and Aluminum (electricity networks). Supply chain assurance will be required in order to mitigate risks of di ruption for various reasons such as political instability or trade restrictions. Battery recycling w ll help mitigate the risk of supply disruption, but it is anticipated that the recycling of spent Lithium-ion batteries will only account for about 8% of the demand. Current recycling technologies are energy intensive, partly due to the fact that batteries are not designed with future end-of-life recycling in mind. Advances in battery recycling are critical to ensu e that we ar not simply tr ding extractio of oil for extraction of metals. Other mitigation measures should include a diversification of the supply partners, with an increased collaboration of all the supply chain stakeholders, supported by a higher transparency, and a consistent set of Electricity networks are a key element of reliable power systems, and will play a decisive role in the growth of renewable power adoption. Most power line’s length (90%) is made up of the distribution systems, serving to deliver power to the end users. The transmission systems, co necting the h avy power production centers (power plants, solar and wind power production facilities) to the load centers, make up the remaining 10%. social and environmental standards. Expansion in Electrical Infrastructure
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Robert Ohmes rohmes@becht.com Darren York dyork@becht.com Mel Larson mlarson@becht.com Jean-Gaël Le Floc’h jglefloch@becht.com
www.decarbonisationtechnology.com
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