Journal of Advanced Materials and Technologies

Journal of Advanced Materials and Technologies

On the Role and Importance of Mineral Materials and Rare-Earth Elements in the Wind Energy Industry

Document Type : Original Reaearch Article

Authors
Zari Behniafar 1
Abolfazl Pourrajabian 2
1 Master, Department of Energy, Materials and Energy Research Center, Karaj, Iran.
2 Assistant Professor, Department of Energy, Materials and Energy Research Center, Karaj, Iran.
10.30501/jamt.2024.442670.1294
Abstract
Wind energy plays an important role in the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energies. The study examines the role and importance of minerals and rare earth elements in the future of the wind energy industry. Following the investigation of the conducted studies and the literature survey, the required amount of minerals and also rare earth elements are predicted in the horizon of 2030 and 2040 using the two scenarios of the International Energy Agency (IEA). The investigation shows that the copper, zinc, manganese, chromium, nickel and molybdenum are the main materials required in the wind energy industry but the contribution of the zinc and copper is significant compared to other materials. In the field of rare earth elements, neodymium, praseodymium, dysprosium and terbium are of significant importance but the contribution of neodymium is higher with respect to other rare elements. In order to achieve the goals of the countries in the coming decades, the importance of research and development on new technologies with the aim of reducing the need for the mentioned materials and also their recycling is very important.
Keywords
Wind Energy
Wind Turbine
Mineral Materials
Rare-earth Elements

Subjects

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Journal of Advanced Materials and Technologies
Volume 13, Issue 2
Summer 2024
Pages 1-9

  • Receive Date 11 February 2024
  • Revise Date 18 April 2024
  • Accept Date 23 June 2024