The transition to renewable energy is essential to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and mitigate climate change. However, this transformation also depends on mining, an aspect that poses significant environmental and social challenges.
The material basis of renewable energy
Critical materials such as copper, aluminum, silicon, and rare metals are required to build wind turbines, solar panels, and other renewable infrastructure. These materials are essential for generating clean electricity, but their extraction and processing have a considerable environmental impact.
A comparative analysis reveals that, although renewable energies require fewer materials per unit of energy generated than coal-fired power plants, the variety and specificity of the minerals required increases their complexity. For example, photovoltaic energy uses small amounts of silver in its electrical welds, but due to the low concentration of this metal in ores, its mining impact is disproportionately high.
Mining impact by technology
Mining impact is measured in terms of the amount of rock extracted per megawatt-hour (MWh) generated. In this regard:
– Coal: Coal mining involves more than 350 kg of rock per MWh, making it the technology with the highest mining impact.
– Nuclear energy: Although it requires less fuel, uranium extraction also has a significant impact due to the low concentration of the mineral and the enrichment processes required.
– Renewable energies: Wind and solar energy have lower mining impacts, with 81 kg/MWh and 116 kg/MWh respectively.
These values can be further reduced by recycling materials such as copper, steel, and aluminum.
Challenges and opportunities
The extraction of critical minerals faces challenges such as dependence on a few producing countries and the environmental impacts associated with mining. For example, cobalt mining in the Congo and silicon processing in China stand out as critical points in the supply chain.
To address these issues, the European Union has implemented the Critical Raw Materials Regulation, which seeks to diversify suppliers and encourage local production. In addition, recycling and technological innovation are key tools for reducing demand for virgin materials and minimizing environmental impact.
Towards a sustainable future
Despite the challenges, the mining impact of renewable energies is significantly lower than that of fossil fuels. This underscores the importance of moving towards an energy mix based on clean technologies, complemented by policies that promote sustainability in the extraction and use of resources.
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Sources:
The Conversation
