COMMENTARY: The energy transition is starting to feed itself

The global push for electric vehicles, renewables, battery storage and expanded power grids is boosting demand for copper, rare earths, silver and other materials—but it’s also starting to generate new supply through recycling. Citing the International Energy Agency, the commentary says clean-energy technologies require far more minerals than conventional systems and that demand tied to the energy transition will keep rising, while supply is constrained by slower mine development, refining capacity and processing infrastructure. That mismatch is driving governments and firms to look to retired components as “resource bases,” including old batteries, decommissioned solar panels and aging grid equipment. Battery recycling is highlighted: Redwood Materials says it recovers more than 95% of lithium, nickel, cobalt and copper from spent batteries and manufacturing scrap, processing over 20 gigawatt-hours annually. The IEA estimates 20% to 30% of lithium, nickel and cobalt demand could come from recycling by 2050.