Rare earth minerals are essential components of a number of emerging energy technologies, from the latest in wind turbines to electric vehicles to batteries and compact fluorescent lightbulbs. But a paucity of known and developed rare earth mineral deposits has led to concerns of potential global shortages. Vouchercloud has put together an infographic illustrating the… Keep reading →
Since China controls 95% of the world’s rare earth supplies, the ensuing shortage could have a major impact on industries that are dependent on these materials, including renewables, electric vehicles, energy storage. Keep reading →
Quick Take – The good news: China is taking environmental goals more seriously. The bad news: As a result, it plans to shutter one third of its 23 rare earth mines and one half of its 99 rare earth smelters and reduce its rare earth exports by one fifth.
A rare earth mining operation in China’s Jiangsu province
A rare earth metal called vanadium could provide an energy storage solution for some of the challenges renewable energy sources face. The intermittent nature of wind and solar power can make these distributed sources difficult for utilities to manage within the electrical grid. Vanadium flow batteries can accommodate renewable energy by storing massive amounts of electricity and releasing it into the grid as needed when demand increases. Keep reading →
