Métaux et transition énergétique

Disclaimer

• This document is a presentation aid, not a standalone resource.
• Some slides contain information that should not be taken literally, but rather interpreted alongside oral commentary.
• The document's purpose is to support those who attended the course.

Course Title/Subtitle

• Course Title: Impact humain sur son environnement
• Course Code: HUM4041
• Instructor: Loïc Roussel
• Email: [email protected]

Course Content Outline

• Energy
• Climate Change and Climate
• Natural Resources
• Biodiversity
• Review and Evaluation

Natural Resources (Specific)

• The presentation focuses on the orders of magnitude associated with natural resource consumption, specifically in relation to global production of cement, steel, and sand/gravel.
• Presentation includes illustrative figures, such as dimensions and weights, of the three materials.
• Also discusses the materials' applications in various sectors (e.g., buildings, infrastructure).
• Specific illustrative example: Burj Khalifa height, volume, and weight.

Frequently Asked Questions (Metal Use)

• What are the most commonly used metals worldwide? The specific question is asked but not answered in the presentation.

General Summary of Key Takeaways

• Significant quantities of metals are consumed.
• Key metals in use include steel, aluminum, manganese, chromium, copper, and zinc.
• Transitioning to a new energy system will require large quantities of materials.
• Research institutions work on models to estimate future material needs.
• Presentation of Sankey diagrams highlighting energy flows within the global economy. The example given focuses on a car.

General Summary (Continued)

• Presentation includes a global perspective on the use of metal, and its connection to energy use.
• Discusses specific case studies of significant mining operations around the world, including both the environmental impact and the societal impact.

Model Complexities

• Energy consumption correlates with the production and use of machines, which require raw materials, particularly metals.
• Extraction of metals, in turn, necessitates substantial energy input.
• Existing models focus on the energy chain to estimate raw material needs, but these needs vary based on regional infrastructure and technological context.

Additional Points

• The model developed requires numerous assumptions to estimate future material needs. These assumptions include factors such as the number of vehicles per inhabitant, the amount of time a vehicle is in use, and the composition (type of alloy) and weight of the vehicle.
• The model must also consider recyclability at the end-of-life stage.
• The production of metal in certain regions (i.e., China) has dramatically increased.
• The environmental impact of mining needs to be seriously considered.
• Specific examples for mining environmental considerations are detailed for mines in various locations (India, Chile, Russia, and others).
• Recycling rates of materials—in particular, the types of material used in electronics—are discussed and quantified with respect to availability.

Environmental considerations

• Significant quantities of materials are consumed and much more waste is created than is effectively recycled.
• Mining impacts of large quantities.
• High consumption of water (10'000 to 7'500 litres in specific materials extraction).
• High consumption of energy is necessary to meet production targets, and waste materials generated are also of substantial volumes in many regions.

Conclusionary Points

• Rapid growth in metal demand challenges sustainability.
• Current metal use is not well-harmonized with environmental and social necessities, especially with high exponential growth in energy use.

Ce quiz explore les principaux métaux nécessaires à la transition énergétique et leur rôle crucial dans la production d'énergie renouvelable. Il pose également des questions sur l'impact de l'exploitation des ressources et les défis liés à la prévision des besoins futurs en matières premières. Testez vos connaissances sur ces sujets essentiels !