The push for renewable energy is reshaping industries and global policies, but it brings significant challenges. Renewable technologies such as solar panels, batteries, and wind turbines require critical minerals, whose extraction often involves substantial human rights abuses, environmental damage, and geopolitical risks. Addressing these issues requires solutions that go beyond simply cutting carbon emissions, tackling broader impacts on society and the environment. Zero-impact energy technologies could offer a promising path forward.

The cost of clean energy: Mineral extraction and its implications

The demand for rare earth minerals like lithium, cobalt, and nickel is surging as countries ramp up investments in clean energy. These materials are crucial for batteries, electric vehicles, and other renewable technologies. But mining practices frequently have severe consequences. For example, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which supplies about 70% of the world's cobalt, is plagued by reports of child labor, unsafe working conditions, and significant environmental degradation. Cobalt mining contributes to soil erosion, deforestation, and water contamination. That in turn affects the health and livelihoods of local communities.

Geopolitical risks further exacerbate these issues. Mineral supplies are concentrated in a limited number of countries, many of which experience political instability or impose restrictive trade policies. This situation creates supply chain vulnerabilities and exposes the global energy system to potential economic or political manipulation. As the world moves away from fossil fuels, there is a real risk of merely replacing one form of resource dependency with another.

Renewable energy's e-waste challenge

Despite their promise, renewable energy technologies come with a limited lifespan, leading to growing concerns about waste management. The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) projects that by 2050, 78 million tonnes of photovoltaic waste will result from solar panels reaching the end of their life cycles. Wind turbine blades, some over 60 meters long, pose similar challenges due to their composite materials, which are difficult to recycle. As clean energy systems expand, disposal and recycling capabilities must scale up to prevent swapping fossil fuel waste for renewable waste.

Battery storage, essential for renewable energy systems, presents related problems. Current recycling processes for lithium-ion batteries are limited and energy-intensive, potentially leading to significant waste and environmental impact if not addressed. Without advancements in recycling technologies, the rapid growth of clean energy infrastructure could undermine the sustainability of the transition.

Thermal energy storage: An alternative with lower impact

Thermal energy storage (TES) offers an alternative energy storage approach that addresses many of these issues. TES technologies can utilize widely available and recyclable materials such as silica sand and steel, enhancing the system's recyclability. Magaldi's Green Thermal Energy Storage (MGTES) system is exactly that sort of solution. Charged with electricity from renewable sources or the grid, it uses a fluidized bed of silica sand to store thermal energy at temperatures up to 620°C. With modular configurations providing storage capacities from 5 MWh to 1 GWh, this technology is scalable to meet diverse energy needs.

The MGTES system operates in three stages: charging, storage, and discharging. Heat is transferred to the silica sand during the charging phase, while storage occurs with minimal thermal losses due to the sand’s insulating properties. When energy is needed, the system releases stored heat to high-temperature fluids like steam. With round-trip efficiency exceeding 90% and a projected lifespan of over 30 years, MGTES represents a long-term, low-maintenance energy solution.

TES addresses the intermittency of renewable sources such as solar and wind by storing excess energy for periods when production is low, enhancing grid stability. Its reliance on non-toxic, abundant materials eliminates many of the environmental and social risks associated with battery storage, making it a more sustainable choice for industries with high energy demands.

A more just energy transition. How to get there?

Achieving a just energy transition necessitates a shift in focus from merely cutting emissions to considering the full social and environmental implications of energy technologies. Prioritizing low-impact materials, enhancing recycling practices, and rethinking supply chain management are critical to reducing harm and improving resilience. Thermal energy storage provides a viable approach to decouple energy growth from harmful practices.

However, reaching a truly sustainable transition will require broader policy commitments that support technologies like TES across their entire lifecycle. Investments in recycling infrastructure, fair labor practices, and diversified supply chains will be essential. The decisions made today will determine whether the shift to clean energy solves existing challenges or creates new ones, making it crucial to prioritize solutions that integrate environmental, social, and economic considerations.

illuminem is proud to partner with Magaldi Green Energy in advancing sustainable industrial heat solutions.