Less than a minute read

The energy transition is a pillar of climate policies. The development of technologies for the energy transition on the scale necessary to achieve the goals of such policies is putting pressure on markets for various raw materials, including minerals with highly concentrated geographic supply. The RAMET program – RAw Materials for the Energy Transition – will analyse the interconnection between the goals of energy transition policies, the markets for Energy Transition Minerals (ETM), and their macroeconomic implications in the short, medium and long term.

 

Objectives

The program is structured around three main objectives, each addressed by a dedicated sub-project:

  • ETM Markets: we will explore the determinants of prices, demand, and supply of energy transition metals. We will focus on the development of econometric models useful for short-, medium- and long-term forecasting and scenario generation.
  • Macroeconomic Effects of the Energy Transition: we will analyse the macroeconomic effects and propagation mechanisms of the fluctuations of the prices of energy transition metals.
  • The Role of Innovation in Energy Transition Policies: we will examine the role of innovation as a possible tool to reduce the dependency of green energy technologies on critical energy transition metals. We will study the diffusion of green technologies based on critical energy transition metals and identify new technological trajectories through a patent analysis. Moreover, we will assess whether innovation in recycling, recovery, and material reuse can be a means to mitigate raw material scarcity in European countries.

 

Expected Impacts

  • Advance scientific knowledge regarding the functioning of mineral markets for energy transition and their econometric modelling in order to generate short-, medium- and long-term forecasts and scenarios.
  • Connect researchers and key stakeholders interested in the functioning of mineral markets for energy transition, such as Central Banks, market analysts, data providers, and businesses, through dedicated workshops, seminars, and events.
  • The Program encourages interactions with researchers involved in other FEEM research initiatives.