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  5. Strategic Business Analysis
  6. Energy transition: challenging, but possible
  7. Paper 1: Raw material scarcity hinders energy transition

If you decide to build a house, you know that you need raw materials. And you also know that those raw materials will probably be readily available. If you’re going to build a completely new sustainable energy system, it’s clear that you need rapidly growing supplies of materials. However, the possible supply risks facing some critical raw materials have barely been taken into account in drawing up energy plans for the future.

EnergY transition might take longer

In part one of a two-part publication, ‘Towards a greener future’, we focus on the production of green hydrogen. To achieve the European hydrogen plans by 2050, we need iridium. Lots of iridium. And we anticipate a shortage of this metal, as hydrogen production is not the only application that requires iridium. It’s an essential material in the various energy transition routes. As a consequence, the whole energy transition is at risk of suffering delays or even of grinding to a complete halt.

Conclusion of paper 1: Put scarcity of critical materials on the agenda

However, we note that the critical raw materials required for producing green hydrogen continues to be overlooked. Based on our first paper, we conclude that it’s time to put this topic on the agenda – including the political agenda – and to take action.

Download paper 1

Read all about the solutions to raw material scarcity here

Download paper

In the second paper, you will find possible solutions to material scarcity.

Downloads
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Our work

How to deal with the predicted material scarcity for the energy transition

As you will read in the first part of our publication, it is crucial for policymakers to have material scarcity on their radar. To meet the future European demand for hydrogen, we need larger amounts... Read more
Roadmap

Using electrolysis to produce green hydrogen at scale: Difficult, but possible

The Netherlands and Europe have set out a roadmap to meet the Paris climate objectives by the year 2050. It all looks fine on paper. But we need to act consciously on an important element: the availability... Read more
Knowledge

From grey and blue to green hydrogen

Production from water via electrolysis with sustainable electricity from sun and wind is a CO2-free alternative. But for the production of green hydrogen, there are still technological barriers to be... Read more
Our work

Optimising production of sustainable hydrogen with electrolysis

Hydrogen currently produced in our country is mainly used as a raw material for the production of fertilisers and the desulphurisation of fuels. Current hydrogen production is now based on natural gas... Read more
Our work

15 things you need to know about hydrogen

It is currently all hands on deck to achieve the climate targets. The energy transition really needs a big boost. Hydrogen can make an important contribution to this. Collaboration is essential in order... Read more
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Sara Wieclawska

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Sara Wieclawska

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