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Visualizing the Growing Demand for Nickel and Copper

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The following content is sponsored by Premium Nickel

Visualizing the Growing Demand for Nickel and Copper

Nickel and copper play a vital role in a clean energy future, as both metals are used in many new technologies like EV batteries, solar panels, and wind turbines.

This visualization from our sponsor Premium Nickel explores how responsible mining will be essential to meet the demand for these metals.

Nickel and Copper in the Clean Energy Transition

Copper is a critical mineral in the production of EVs, used in electric motors, batteries, and charging infrastructure. The metal is an excellent conductor of electricity, making it ideal for use in vehicles.

According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), an average EV can contain around 53kg of copper compared to 22kg in a combustion vehicle. As a result, copper demand for EV batteries alone is expected to jump from 210,000 tonnes in 2020 to 1.8 million tonnes in 2030.

MineralContent in electric vehicles (kg)Content in conventional cars (kg)
Graphite (natural and synthetic)66.30
Copper53.222.3
Nickel39.90
Manganese24.511.2
Cobalt13.30
Lithium8.90
Rare earths0.50
Zinc0.10.1
Others0.30.3

Nickel is another important mineral in the clean energy transition, as it is used in the production of EV batteries. One of the benefits of using nickel in EV batteries is that it can increase the energy density of the battery.

Additionally, nickel can help to reduce the cost of EV batteries, as it is less expensive than other materials commonly used in battery production.

In a scenario that meets the Paris Agreement goals, clean energy technologies’ share of total nickel demand rises significantly over the next two decades to over 60%.

Pioneering Principled Copper and Nickel Mining

Nickel and copper production are both currently emissions intensive.

For copper, the emissions intensity is about 4.5 kg of CO2 for every kg produced. Nickel’s emissions intensity varies from ~20–80 kg CO2 per kg of nickel produced, depending on the purity of the final product and the extraction process used.

Recent research has shown that consumers are also more aware of their environmental impact. In fact, 26% of American vehicle buyers cited their personal environmental impact as the top influencing factor in buying or leasing a vehicle.

In this context, responsible mining practices must be in place to ensure a sustainable supply chain.

Premium Nickel is targeting to produce high-grade concentrates of both nickel and copper using carbon efficient technologies.

The company’s flagship projects in Botswana are been developed to minimize the environmental footprint, using less power, less water, alternative energy sources.

Using new technology and working closely with the community, the company has adopted the highest international standards for the protection of the environment, while developing its projects.

Premium Nickel is well positioned to meet the growing demand for nickel and copper. Click here to learn more about the company.

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Electrification

Charted: The Energy Demand of U.S. Data Centers

Data center power needs are projected to triple by 2030.

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bar chart showing energy demand from data centers

Charted: The Energy Demand of U.S. Data Centers

This was originally posted on our Voronoi app. Download the app for free on iOS or Android and discover incredible data-driven charts from a variety of trusted sources.

As the digital economy accelerates and generative AI becomes more deeply embedded in business and daily life, the physical infrastructure supporting these technologies is undergoing a transformative explosion.

In this graphic, we use data from McKinsey to show current and projected energy demand from data centers in the United States. Data is from October 2023.

U.S. Data Centers Could Quadruple Power Demand by 2030

Today, data centers account for roughly 4% of total U.S. electricity consumption. But by 2030, that share is projected to rise to 12%, driven by unprecedented growth in computing power, storage needs, and AI model training.

In fact, U.S. data center energy demand is set to jump from 224 terawatt-hours in 2025 to 606 terawatt-hours in 2030.

YearConsumption (TWh)% of Total Power Demand
20231474%
20241784%
20252245%
20262927%
20273718%
20284509%
202951310%
203060612%

Meeting this projected demand could require $500 billion in new data center infrastructure, along with a vast expansion of electricity generation, grid capacity, and water-cooling systems. Generative AI alone could require 50–60 GW of additional infrastructure.

This massive investment would also depend on upgrades in permitting, land use, and supply chain logistics. For example, the lead time to power new data centers in large markets such as Northern Virginia can exceed three years. In some cases, lead times for electrical equipment are two years or more.

A Strain on the U.S. Grid

The U.S. has experienced relatively flat power demand since 2007. Models suggest that this stability could be disrupted in the coming years. Data center growth alone could account for 30–40% of all net-new electricity demand through 2030.

Unlike typical power loads, data center demand is constant, dense, and growing exponentially. Facilities often operate 24/7, with little downtime and minimal flexibility to reduce usage.

Learn More on the Voronoi App 

If you enjoyed this infographic, see how Venture Capital Investment in Generative AI has grown, on the Voronoi app.

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Electrification

Visualizing China’s Battery Recycling Dominance

In 2025, China will hold 78% of pre-treatment and 89% of refining capacity.

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Sankey chart showing China's dominant position in both the pre-treatment and refining stages of battery recycling.

Visualizing China’s Battery Recycling Dominance

Battery recycling is expected to become a cornerstone of the global energy transition as electric vehicles (EVs) and other battery-powered technologies become more widespread.

According to exclusive data from Benchmark Mineral Intelligence, China holds a dominant position in both the pre-treatment and refining stages of battery recycling.

Chinese Growing Dominance

Battery recycling involves two major stages. First is pre-treatment, where recycling begins. Scrap batteries are typically shredded and separated to produce a material known as black mass.

The next stage is refining, which processes black mass into valuable lithium-, nickel-, and cobalt-based chemicals for use in battery cathodes.

China’s scale, infrastructure, and early investments in battery supply chains have translated into an outsized advantage in recycling capacity.

As the largest producer and user of lithium ion batteries, the country is expected to process 3.6 million tonnes of scrap batteries in 2025, up from 1.2 million tonnes in 2022. This would account for 78% of global pre-treatment capacity, with total global capacity projected to exceed 4.6 million tonnes.

Region/Tonnes2022202320242025P
Global1.5M2.4M2.8M4.6M
China1.2M1.8M2.1M3.6M
Asia excl. China158K231K288K361K
Europe118K133K243K416K
North America59K165K129K196K
ROW4K6K6K40K

In second place is the rest of Asia, with 361,000 tonnes, followed by Europe with 416,000 tonnes. While the U.S. attempts to reduce its reliance on China in the mineral sector, North America accounts for just 196,000 tonnes.

The refining stage is even more concentrated.

China’s black mass refining capacity is projected to nearly triple, from 895,000 tonnes in 2022 to 2.5 million tonnes by 2025—representing 89% of global capacity.

Region/Tonnes2022202320242025P
Global960K1.4M1.7M2.8M
China895K1.3M1.5M2.5M
Asia excl. China48K101K146K225K
Europe13K23K25K28K
North America4K5K5K21K
ROW01K1K32K

Refining is critical, as it converts recycled material into high-purity, battery-grade chemicals. The rest of Asia is expected to refine 225,000 tonnes, Europe 28,000 tonnes, and North America only 21,000 tonnes. Between 2022 and 2025, China’s refining capacity is projected to grow by 179%, while North America’s is expected to surge by 425%—albeit from a much smaller base.

As global demand for EVs and battery storage rises, countries looking to build domestic recycling infrastructure must accelerate investment to reduce dependence on Chinese supply chains.

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