Substitution and reduction of critical and strategic raw materials in clean energy technologies
An overview of solutions using advanced materials
The transition to clean energy technologies requires increased amounts of critical raw materials. Advanced materials (materials rationally designed to have new or enhanced properties) can potentially reduce dependence on critical raw materials, ideally also providing superior performance, increased lifetime or lower costs. In this report, we investigate the current landscape and potential of advanced materials and technologies focused on reducing or eliminating the use of critical raw materials in five key energy technologies: batteries, wind turbines, solar photovoltaics, fuel cells and electrolysers, and electric-vehicle motors. Our analysis identifies the most effective substitution solutions within each stage of development to fully exploit the innovation potential, and highlights some possible trade-offs involved.
IERIDES Marcos;
NOHL Lucy;
ALVES DIAS Patricia;
NOHL Markus;
BLAGOEVA Darina;
MAGNANI Nicola;
2025-05-22
Publications Office of the European Union
JRC142055
978-92-68-28572-5 (online),
1831-9424 (online),
EUR 40297,
OP KJ-01-25-334-EN-N (online),
https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC142055,
10.2760/5159022 (online),
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