ARTICLES, ISSUE BRIEFS, & REPORTS

EnergySource

Mar 30, 2023

The US clean energy transformation can’t happen at the expense of national security

By Francis R. Fannon

The pace of the energy transition has, to this point, depended on low-cost Chinese production. But the supply chains that have driven clean tech deployment jeopardize US national security and must be remade.

Energy & Environment Energy Transitions

Issue Brief

Sep 13, 2022

Alternative battery chemistries and diversifying clean energy supply chains

By Reed Blakemore, Paddy Ryan, William Tobin

In an ecosystem of growth for batteries for grid storage and electric vehicle applications, alternatives to the lithium-ion battery chemistry may play an increasing role in alleviating supply chain woes and enabling deep decarbonization.

Australia China

EnergySource

Sep 13, 2022

In an ecosystem of growth for batteries, a diversity of options is key

By William Tobin

In the current battery market, much of the demand—and much of the supply chain stress—falls on lithium, whose electrochemical properties make it ideal for energy storage. But other battery technologies could play their own roles, particularly in grid-scale storage. An all-of-the-above approach would allow them to contribute significantly to the energy transition.

Energy & Environment Energy Transitions

EnergySource

Aug 8, 2022

The Inflation Reduction Act places a big bet on alternative mineral supply chains

By Reed Blakemore, Paddy Ryan

The Inflation Reduction Act’s consumer electric vehicle tax credit will create strong demand for alternative minerals, sourced and processed outside of existing supply chains. The ability for these alternative supplies to meaningfully diversify mineral value chains hinges on further investment and policymaking effort.

Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance

EnergySource

Apr 28, 2022

The US should leverage 45Q for the graphite supply crunch

By William Tobin

The US is staring down a significant shortfall in the supply of graphite, a critical mineral to the energy transition. Synthetic graphite production using captured carbon could be the way forward, and the 45Q tax credit is the best tool policymakers have to stimulate it.

Energy & Environment Geopolitics & Energy Security

Report

Mar 27, 2022

The United States, Canada, and the minerals challenge

By Reed Blakemore, Paddy Ryan, Randolph Bell

An energy mix enabled by clean technologies will be far more mineral-intensive than its hydrocarbon-based predecessor. Demand for minerals like lithium, nickel, and cobalt is projected to skyrocket over the coming years, with supply chains largely unprepared to scale up accordingly. And procurement of these minerals has been plagued by concerns over environmental impact, human […]

Americas Energy & Environment

EnergySource

Mar 11, 2022

As the US struggles to “green” supply chains, new EU battery regulation offers lessons

By Emily Burlinghaus

The EU’s pending Batteries Regulation is an ambitious framework to impose strict sustainability standards on the technology most important to electrification. To secure access to the lucrative EU market, global battery manufacturers will need to clean up their supply chains. US policymakers should take heed.

Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance
An electric vehicle charger

Report

Nov 16, 2021

The role of minerals in US transportation electrification goals

By Reed Blakemore

Electric vehicles will play a pivotal role in US efforts to reduce emissions and meet climate commitments under the Paris agreement. For the United States to deliver on the “decade of ambition” President Biden declared at COP26 in Glasgow, it must tackle the 30 percent of its greenhouse gas emissions originating from transportation. To that […]

Geopolitics & Energy Security Renewables & Advanced Energy

EnergySource

Jun 10, 2021

Biden-Harris administration hundred-day supply chain review: Key takeaways for minerals security in the energy transition

By Reed Blakemore

The White House has recently released findings from a hundred-day review of supply chains, which included specific recommendations for securing key minerals and metals critical to the energy transition. This report serves as an important first step as the United States begins to address the mineral supply chain challenge, and highlights several important themes policymakers will continue to grapple with as they search for solutions.

Energy & Environment Energy Transitions

EnergySource

Mar 12, 2021

These three baseload technologies are critical to achieving zero-carbon electric vehicles

By Bryant Jones

As electricity demand swells as the electric vehicle market grows, it is unlikely that short-term battery storage, intermittent renewables, and efficiency improvements alone can provide all of the necessary electrons. These technologies need to be paired with distributed, zero-carbon baseload capacity, and the debate about what technologies can meet anticipated demand is just beginning. Cue geothermal, hydroelectric, and nuclear power.

Energy & Environment Energy Transitions
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