technical bulletin
CRITICAL MINERALS AND THE ELECTRIC VEHICLE TRANSITION
nelson falkenburg
The production of a typical lithium-ion battery requires five minerals dubbed "critical minerals" by the USGS - lithium, cobalt, manganese, nickel, and graphite. These critical minerals each face potentially significant supply chain bottlenecks and disruptions, such as: inadequate supply, dominance by select countries in production and refining, an oligopoly of producers, and more. Additionally, the extraction of critical minerals includes environmental and socio-political impacts that must be addressed for a sustainable and just EV transition.
technical bulletin
IMPLICATIONS FOR THE US GAS STATION AND CONVENIENCE STORE INDUSTRY
allyson goldberg, dr. jay golden
Until 2050, the U.S. will experience an infrastructural transition away from common fueling methods towards widespread accessible EV charging. This report will explore elements of the transition such as legacy industry statistics and trends, environmental threats such as CO2 emissions and leaking underground storage tanks (USTs), EV charging business models and related policy needs.
technical bulletin
THE LEAD ACID BATTERY INDUSTRY AND THE ELECTRIC VEHICLE TRANSITION
tayara romero, dr. jay golden
The electric vehicle transition has taken the mature lead acid battery industrial sector by storm with phenomenal charging/efficient energy use that the lead-acid battery has never held as an attribute. However, this is still a brand new rising industry. In this bulletin, we will examine the differences, similarities, and possible risks to this transition.
technical bulletin
LITHIUM BATTERY MANUFACTURING AND THE ELECTRIC VEHICLE TRANSITION
daria latvis, dr. jay golden
The electric vehicle transition has taken the mature lead acid battery industrial sector by storm with phenomenal charging/efficient energy use that the lead-acid battery has never held as an attribute. However, this is still a brand new rising industry. In this bulletin, we will examine the differences, similarities, and possible risks to this transition.
technical bulletin
CHILD LABOR IN THE WORLD'S LARGEST PALM EXPORTING COUNTRIES
shannon erickson, elena taylor, whitney woerner, dr. jay golden
A team of graduate student researchers have undertaken a deep dive into the child labor practices within the global palm industry and present a compelling and balanced analysis of collective actions that need to be taken to reverse these trends. While some organizations and activists call for a ban on the use of palm, our team discussed how this can potentially have even greater impacts to the people and communities we should be supporting through more effective policies and investments.
technical bulletin
THE UNITED STATES OFFSHORE WIND PERMITTING PROCESS
samantha walcott, dr. jay golden
With the introduction of new global Net Zero carbon commitments, renewable energy is on the rise to support carbon neutral manufacturing, transportation, and housing. President Biden’s commitment to 30 gigawatts of offshore wind by 2030 as a part
of Executive Order 14008 Tackling the Climate Crisis is equivalent to more than 2% of the U.S utility-scale electricity generating capacity. Its also approximately 25% of total U.S wind electricity generating capacity. As production in the United States takes
off, we must consider the environmental impacts of offshore wind farms. Animals like birds, benthic and pelagic species can be affected by the turbines. There are also stakeholders that are impacted like the fishing industry and coastal and tribal communities. We must recognize roadblocks to the success of offshore wind and create solutions that enable us to achieve our low carbon energy and electricity future.
technical bulletin
AN EXTERNAL EVALUATION: THE BIOREFINERY, RENEWABLE CHEMICAL, AND BIOBASED PRODUCT MANUFACTURING ASSISTANCE (9003) PROGRAM
dr. jay golden, dr. robert handfield, nelson falkenberg, aaron j. otis, and allyson greenberg
The 9003 has its origins back to 2002 when the Congress of the United States envisioned a pathway to further support American farmers and American manufacturers opportunities through the development of Biobased fuels.
As part of the review process, the project team undertook literature research and conducted interviews with key stakeholders from across the country. This included those who represent various aspects of the 9003 ecosystem such as attorneys, private financial lenders, agricultural firms, engineering and technical experts, biobased energy, chemical and product manufacturing companies, brands and government officials.
technical bulletin
CONSTRUCTION & BUILDING MATERIALS FOR CLIMATE & ENERGY
dr. jay golden
A groundbreaking early report (369 pages with great illustrations) by Dr. Golden provides policy makers science based recommendations to implement strategies to reduce climate and energy impacts from infrastructure, construction, and building materials with a focus on urban areas.