An assessment of the strategies for the energy-critical elements necessary for the development of sustainable energy sources

Abstract There have been several strategies developed in order to increase the diversified supply of energy so that it can meet all of the demands for energy in the future. As a result, to ensure a healthy and sustainable energy future, it is imperative to warrant reliable and diverse energy supply sources if the “green energy economy” is to be realized. The purpose of developing and deploying clean energy technologies is to improve our overall energy security, reduce carbon footprint, and ensure that the generation of energy is secure and reliable in the future, making sure that we are in a position to spur economic growth in the future. In this paper, advancements in alternative sources of energy sustainability and strategies will be examined, so as to ensure there will be enough fuel to supply all of the future demands for energy. Several emerging clean energy technologies rely heavily on the availability of materials that exhibit unique properties that are necessary for their development. This paper examines the role that materials, such as rare earth metals and other critical materials, play in securing a clean energy economy and the development of clean energy economies in general. In order for the development of these technologies to be successful and sustainable, a number of these energy-critical materials are at risk of becoming unavailable. This is due to their limited availability, disruptions in supply, and the lack of suitable resources for their development. An action plan focusing on producing energy-critical materials in energy-efficient ways is discussed as part of an initiative to advance the development of clean and sustainable energy.