Sustainable Copper

Energy

Sustainable Transportation Solutions: Electric Vehicles

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Cars and buses exponentially expand opportunities and represent personal freedoms for individuals worldwide. As new and improved technologies continue to evolve, one element is emerging as essential to our collective automotive future—copper!

Challenge:

An ever-increasing global population, coupled with limited nonrenewable resources, is leading to innovative solutions and technologies across a variety of industries. Meeting the transportation needs of future generations in a sustainable and environmentally responsible way requires an increased reliance on materials and natural resources that are durable, malleable and—in the case of electric cars—capable of providing superior electrical conductivity.

Solution:

Technology improvements and increased affordability are the drivers behind an anticipated surge in electric vehicle sales over the next decade, according to new research commissioned by the International Copper Association (ICA). 2016 saw two million electric vehicles globally. This number is projected to reach seven million by 2025. A key element in production, energy storage and charging infrastructure for these new vehicles is copper. While an internal combustion engine vehicle utilizes roughly 20 to 50 pounds, or 9 to 22.6 kilograms (kg) of copper, the number for a hybrid, plug-in hybrid, or battery electric vehicle ranges from 85 to 180 pounds (38.5 to 81.6 kg). Not surprisingly, the number grows for buses. Add in the necessary charging infrastructure, and copper becomes a major component in the success of this newly invigorated technology.

Results:

While electric vehicles are not a new concept, their previous success was hindered by advances in internal combustion engine technology, mass production and relatively inexpensive gasoline prices. The Toyota Prius—introduced in Japan in 1997 and worldwide in 2000—helped reinvigorate the electric car market and was followed by Tesla, the Chevy Volt and the Nissan Leaf. Thanks to the commercial success of these vehicles, coupled with the ability of the copper industry to supply the material crucial to batteries, wiring, and charging infrastructure, continued and expansive growth is anticipated for the electric vehicle market.

Climate Change

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Copper is at the core of the climate change battle.

The importance of copper’s role in decarbonization cannot be overstated. Some four million tonnes of copper are produced, recycled or converted into value-added products across Europe each year. Of course, these activities require energy. However, they also provide the building blocks on which to base industrialized economic recovery and the new technologies a low-carbon economy needs.

The European copper industry has developed strategies that trigger and support substantial carbon reductions in the downstream industrial, residential and service sectors.

By 2020, these strategies could deliver 130 million tonnes of CO2 savings per year.

This amount would grow steadily, and by 2050, total EU CO2 emissions could be reduced by 25% — more than 1,100 million tonnes per year — relative to 2011 levels.

The European copper industry has also developed and is advancing strategies to reduce its own carbon footprint. Through significant capital investments, the copper producing industry has successfully reduced its CO2 emissions by cutting its unit energy consumption by 60% versus 1990. Copper producers are united in their dedication to continuing this effort and will report on their progress.

For more information, download the report “Copper’s contribution to a low-carbon future – A plan to decarbonise Europe by 25 percent”.

Globally, similar investments in copper-based strategies could reduce the world’s carbon footprint by 16% by 2030. This means a 5.7 billion tonne reduction in CO2 and a savings of $860 in energy costs each year.

Providing Heat To Urban Areas

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Aurubis and enercity will be using industrial heat to power the Hamburg district of Hafencity East. This is the first time that an entire district will be almost completely supplied with industrial heat from industry.

The heat is extracted when sulphur dioxide gas is converted to sulphuric acid during copper smelting and this heat is nearly free of carbon dioxide (CO2). Using this heat will save 20,000 t of CO2 emissions per year, both through its use at Hafencity East and at the plant, where it will replace the natural gas used currently to produce steam. In Hafencity East alone, about 4,500 t of CO2 will be saved every year by 2029.

The Hamburg Aurubis plant has three lines, each of which can provide 160 million kilowatt hours (kWh) annually. One line will be enough to supply Hafencity East and it is hoped that the other two lines can be converted in future.

CONTRIBUTING TO A SUSTAINABLE AND CLIMATE-FRIENDLY HEAT SUPPLY

This agreement is one of ten case examples in the project “Flagships of Energy-Efficient Industrial Heat Use” started by the German Energy Agency.

Aurubis is investing €17 million in converting the plant, including moving the heat pipeline to the plant boundary. Thirty percent of this money will be funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy.

enercity are responsible for collecting, securing and transporting the heat from the plant. They will build a new heat transport pipeline and a power station to balance the fluctuations in industrial heat volume. enercity will invest around €16 million, with approximately thirty percent being provided by the European Regional Development Fund.

Thanks to this project, Hamburg would become the first entire district to be almost completely supplied with industrial heat. Using all three lines could supply nearly 500 million kWh of heat and cut around 140,000 t of CO2 each year.

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