· Copper is an essential element that boosts the transition to clean energy. Copper supply reduces the emissions of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
· The material is most applicable in renewable energy technologies. It is also applicable in electric vehicles and other manufacturing industries.
Copper is a tough, elastic and flexible material used in power transmission lines. it also applies in electrical wiring, electrodes, heat exchangers and high conductivity wires. Copper is an electrical conductor that is abundant in the earth’s surface and has no auxiliary. It is present in products such as toasters, air conditioners and computer chips. Copper is present in plenty use in homes and cars. The material promotes the transition to green energy. Clean energy requires the use of more copper than the current use. Copper applies in power networks, transportation and manufacturing industries. These sectors help in decarbonizing the energy sector. Its use is important in the solar and wind farms to produce the equipment used in the installation of the farms.
Line construction hardware attaches and support the power transmission lines in the field. They help to support the conductors from external forces. Line construction hardware ensures safety and steadiness of the installation conductor wires. They include cable racking, clevis, line post stud, messenger hanger and strap. These devices also help to suspend the conductors from the above supports. Line construction hardware works in extreme weather conditions to withstand the external disturbance.
The importance of copper in clean energy
Decarbonizing the energy sector requires more use of copper in various sectors. These includes sectors such as power networks, transportation and industries. This process requires more copper than is already available. Recycling the existing copper is still not enough to decarbonizing the energy sector. Thus the only left option is digging more copper from the ground. If the supply is low, the adaptation of smart grids and renewable energy sources slows down. Line construction hardware is from materials that resist rust and corrosion. This helps the devices to provide durability. Copper has some unique properties important for use in energy decarbonization. These are as discussed below.
1. Great heat conductivity
2. Preservation of mechanical and electrical properties at cryogenic temperatures.
3. It is non magnetic
4. Worthy corrosion resistance
5. Excellent electrical conductivity
6. Good machinability
7. It has a good biofouling resistance
Challenges of copper supply
Copper is important to use in renewable energy, electric vehicles and energy storage. Thus, it is safe to say that copper is an essential material to promote the green energy transition. Line construction hardware helps to install other devices used on the transmission lines. These devices also prevent overcrowding on the lines. Copper has some challenges that hamper the transition to clean energy. To address these challenges, it is important to increase the efficiency of copper use. Promoting recycling and globular economy principles could also address these challenges. Investing in research and development of alternative materials and technologies. This is also an alternative in reducing the need for copper in clean energy systems. The challenges are as discussed below.
· Increasing demand
The demand of copper could grow in the coming years due to the increase in clean energy technologies. This demand will put pressure on the supply of the material and lead to shortages and higher prices of the same.
· Limited reserves
Copper reserves are predictable and the available copper deposits may exhaust soon. This only means it will become difficult and expensive to extract copper. This thus limiting the supply of the material. Line construction hardware ensures there are no loose connections in the overhead lines.
· Environmental impacts
Mining and production of the material has some major environmental impacts. These impacts include soil, water contamination, air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. The increase in copper demand also leads to the increased environmental impacts. Environmental impacts may slow down the green transition.
· Recycling challenges
Copper is recyclable and the current recycling rate of copper is slow. This could mean that a large amount of copper get lost in the landfills and other waste torrents. This would limit the supply of the recycled copper that can meet the growing demand.
· Geographic distribution
Most of the copper reserves are in countries such as Chile, Peru and China. Such concentration could lead to geopolitical tensions and supply chain distributions. This concentration may also lead to slow transition to green energy.