Busch, J, Steinberger, JK, Dawson, DA et al. (2 more authors) (2014) Managing Critical Materials with a Technology-Specific Stocks and Flows Model. Environmental Science and Technology, 48 (2). 1298 - 1305. ISSN 0013-936X
Abstract
The transition to low carbon infrastructure systems required to meet climate change mitigation targets will involve an unprecedented roll-out of technologies reliant upon materials not previously widespread in infrastructure. Many of these materials (including lithium and rare earth metals) are at risk of supply disruption. To ensure the future sustainability and resilience of infrastructure, circular economy policies must be crafted to manage these critical materials effectively. These policies can only be effective if supported by an understanding of the material demands of infrastructure transition and what reuse and recycling options are possible given the future availability of end-of-life stocks. This Article presents a novel, enhanced stocks and flows model for the dynamic assessment of material demands resulting from infrastructure transitions. By including a hierarchical, nested description of infrastructure technologies, their components, and the materials they contain, this model can be used to quantify the effectiveness of recovery at both a technology remanufacturing and reuse level and a material recycling level. The model’s potential is demonstrated on a case study on the roll-out of electric vehicles in the UK forecast by UK Department of Energy and Climate Change scenarios. The results suggest policy action should be taken to ensure Li-ion battery recycling infrastructure is in place by 2025 and NdFeB motor magnets should be designed for reuse. This could result in a reduction in primary demand for lithium of 40% and neodymium of 70%.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | (c) 2014, Busch, J, Steinberger, JK, Dawson, DA, Purnell, P and Roelich, K. This is an Open Access article distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0) licence, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited. |
Keywords: | Climate change mitigation; Climate change scenarios; Department of Energy; Dynamic assessment; Infrastructure systems; Infrastructure technologies; Material recycling; Reuse and recycling |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Leeds |
Academic Units: | The University of Leeds > Faculty of Engineering & Physical Sciences (Leeds) > School of Civil Engineering (Leeds) > Institute for Resilient Infrastructure (Leeds) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Publications |
Date Deposited: | 14 May 2014 11:52 |
Last Modified: | 03 Nov 2017 00:33 |
Published Version: | http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/es404877u |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | American Chemical Society |
Identification Number: | 10.1021/es404877u |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:78600 |