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Substitution strategies for reducing the use of rare earths in wind turbines

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Listed:
  • Pavel, Claudiu C.
  • Lacal-Arántegui, Roberto
  • Marmier, Alain
  • Schüler, Doris
  • Tzimas, Evangelos
  • Buchert, Matthias
  • Jenseit, Wolfgang
  • Blagoeva, Darina

Abstract

Considering the growing rate of global wind power and overall benefits of the permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG) wind turbines, the future demand for high-performing NdFeB magnet and its constituent elements is likely to increase. Future deployment of wind power generation may be affected by potential disruptions in supply and price rises of critical rare earth elements. By evaluating the substitution options for the rare earths permanent magnet-based wind turbines at the material and component levels, this paper shows that substitution has a real potential to alleviate the pressure on the supply of rare earths in the wind industry. Rare earth-free turbines with good efficiency levels were already developed and could be further adopted. Alternatively, the future demand for rare earths, in particular for dysprosium, could be reduced by improving material efficiency. The future market share of rare earth-based wind turbines will most likely depend on the evolution of the price of rare earths and the techno-economic advantages of PMSG in comparison to alternative technologies that use no rare earths elements.

Suggested Citation

  • Pavel, Claudiu C. & Lacal-Arántegui, Roberto & Marmier, Alain & Schüler, Doris & Tzimas, Evangelos & Buchert, Matthias & Jenseit, Wolfgang & Blagoeva, Darina, 2017. "Substitution strategies for reducing the use of rare earths in wind turbines," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 52(C), pages 349-357.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jrpoli:v:52:y:2017:i:c:p:349-357
    DOI: 10.1016/j.resourpol.2017.04.010
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Llorente Iglesias, Rosario & Lacal Arantegui, Roberto & Aguado Alonso, Mónica, 2011. "Power electronics evolution in wind turbines—A market-based analysis," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 15(9), pages 4982-4993.
    2. Moss, R.L. & Tzimas, E. & Kara, H. & Willis, P. & Kooroshy, J., 2013. "The potential risks from metals bottlenecks to the deployment of Strategic Energy Technologies," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 55(C), pages 556-564.
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    5. Lucia BALDI & Massimo PERI & Daniela VANDONE, 2013. "Clean Energy Industries and Rare Earth Materials: Economic and Financial Issues," Departmental Working Papers 2013-07, Department of Economics, Management and Quantitative Methods at Università degli Studi di Milano.
    6. Zhang, Kuangyuan & Kleit, Andrew N. & Nieto, Antonio, 2017. "An economics strategy for criticality – Application to rare earth element Yttrium in new lighting technology and its sustainable availability," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 77(C), pages 899-915.
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