Ci a ion: T a ona iˇcien˙
e, M. The
T ansi ion owa ds Renewable Ene gy:
The Challenge o Sus ainable
Resou ce Managemen o a Ci cula
Economy. Ene gies 2024,17, 4242.
h ps://doi.o g/10.3390/en17174242
Recei ed: 16 Augus 2024
Re ised: 20 Augus 2024
Accep ed: 22 Augus 2024
Published: 25 Augus 2024
Copy igh : © 2024 by he au ho .
Licensee MDPI, Basel, Swi ze land.
This a icle is an open access a icle
dis ibu ed unde he e ms and
condi ions o he C ea i e Commons
A ibu ion (CC BY) license (h ps://
c ea i ecommons.o g/licenses/by/
4.0/).
ene gies
Edi o ial
The T ansi ion owa ds Renewable Ene gy: The Challenge o
Sus ainable Resou ce Managemen o a Ci cula Economy
Manuela T a ona iˇcien˙
e
Depa men o Business Technologies and En ep eneu ship, Facul y o Business Managemen , Vilnius Gediminas
Technical Uni e si y, Saule ekio 11, LT-10223, Vilnius, Li huania; [email p o ec ed]g
Abs ac : The ansi ion owa ds enewable ene gy is no as imp essi e as expec ed when conside ing
he wide a ay o e o s unde aken. Ene gy-abundan coun ies do no ha e su icien s imuli o
cu b he use o ossil uels; some o hem e en wo k on inc easing in e na ional supply. G eenhouse
gas emissions emain high. As he wo ld popula ion g ows, mo e a en ion mus be de o ed o he
ansi ion owa ds enewables. This ansi ion equi es addi ional esou ces and lea es behind was e
ha mus be ecycled. Wi hou a ci cula economy, he ansi ion owa ds enewable ene gy will
equi e ex a powe , esul ing in a spi al ha is e y de imen al o he en i onmen o ou plane .
This pape p o ides a pic u e o he cu en si ua ion, discusses endencies, and sys emizes issues
ha mus be ackled.
Keywo ds: ansi ion owa ds enewable ene gy; emissions; ci cula economy; ecycling o sola
panels; sus ainable esou ce managemen
1. In oduc ion
The wo ld’s ansi ion owa ds enewable ene gy could be mo e balanced. Eu opean
coun ies ca e abou he G een Deal and emphasize educing he use o ossil ene gy [
1
,
2
].
O he coun ies [
3
–
5
], especially ene gy-abundan ones, ha e less s imuli o unde ake
his ansi ion.
The ansi ion owa ds enewable ene gy is a long- e m goal, condi ioned by he
u gen need o educe CO2emissions; alas, his is no an easy ask [6–8].
Despi e all he e o s and measu es wo ldwide, he consump ion o p ima y ene gy
esou ces and g eenhouse gas emissions emain he same (see Figu es 1–3below).
Ene gies 2024, 17, x. h ps://doi.o g/10.3390/xxxxx www.mdpi.com/jou nal/ene gies
Edi o ial
The T ansi ion Towa ds Renewable Ene gy: The Challenge o
Sus ainable Resou ce Managemen o a Ci cula Economy
Manuela T a ona ičienė
Depa men o Business Technologies and En ep eneu ship, Facul y o Business Managemen ,
Vilnius Gediminas Technical Uni e si y, Saule ekio 11, LT-10223, Vilnius, Li huania;
manuela. a ona [email protected] g
Abs ac : The ansi ion owa ds enewable ene gy is no as imp essi e as expec ed when conside -
ing he wide a ay o e o s unde aken. Ene gy-abundan coun ies do no ha e su icien s imuli
o cu b he use o ossil uels; some o hem e en wo k on inc easing in e na ional supply. G een-
house gas emissions emain high. As he wo ld popula ion g ows, mo e a en ion mus be de o ed
o he ansi ion owa ds enewables. This ansi ion equi es addi ional esou ces and lea es be-
hind was e ha mus be ecycled. Wi hou a ci cula economy, he ansi ion owa ds enewable
ene gy will equi e ex a powe , esul ing in a spi al ha is e y de imen al o he en i onmen o
ou plane . This pape p o ides a pic u e o he cu en si ua ion, discusses endencies, and sys em-
izes issues ha mus be ackled.
Keywo ds: ansi ion owa ds enewable ene gy; emissions; ci cula economy; ecycling o sola
panels; sus ainable esou ce managemen
1. In oduc ion
The wo ld’s ansi ion owa ds enewable ene gy could be mo e balanced. Eu opean
coun ies ca e abou he G een Deal and emphasize educing he use o ossil ene gy [1,2].
O he coun ies [3–5], especially ene gy-abundan ones, ha e less s imuli o unde ake
his ansi ion.
The ansi ion owa ds enewable ene gy is a long- e m goal, condi ioned by he u -
gen need o educe CO2 emissions; alas, his is no an easy ask [6–8].
Despi e all he e o s and measu es wo ldwide, he consump ion o p ima y ene gy
esou ces and g eenhouse gas emissions emain he same (see Figu es 1–3 below).
Figu e 1. P ima y ene gy consump ion wo ldwide, p o ided by S a is a [9].
Ci a ion: T a ona ičienė, M. The
T ansi ion Towa ds Renewable
Ene gy: The Challenge o
Sus ainable Resou ce Managemen
o a Ci cula Economy. Ene gies
2024, 17, x.
h ps://doi.o g/10.3390/xxxxx
Recei ed: 16 Augus 2024
Re ised: 20 Augus 2024
Accep ed: 22 Augus 2024
Published: da e
Copy igh : © 2024 by he au ho s.
Submi ed o possible open access
publica ion unde he e ms and
condi ions o he C ea i e Commons
A ibu ion (CC BY) license
(h ps://c ea i ecommons.o g/license
s/by/4.0/).
Figu e 1. P ima y ene gy consump ion wo ldwide, p o ided by S a is a [9].
Ene gies 2024,17, 4242. h ps://doi.o g/10.3390/en17174242 h ps://www.mdpi.com/jou nal/ene gies
Ene gies 2024,17, 4242 2 o 9
Ene gies 2024, 17, x FOR PEER REVIEW 2 o 10
Figu e 2. P ima y ene gy consump ion wo ldwide by uel ype, p o ided by S a is a [9].
Figu e 3. Ene gy- ela ed ca bon dioxide emissions wo ldwide, p o ided by S a is a [9].
The ene gy demand will ise in he u u e since Ea h’s popula ion con inues o g ow.
A s ong ela ionship be ween GDP g ow h and ene gy consump ion, especially in less
de eloped coun ies, is known o economis s [10–12].
The s a is ical da a p o ided below show a clea pic u e o u u e popula ion in-
c eases. A ica’s popula ion has he g ea es momen um (Figu e 4).
Figu e 4. Wo ld popula ion g ow h un il 2100. Sou ces: UN DESA; Gapminde , su ey by UN
DESA; OWID, published by UN DESA; OWID, sou ce link UN—Depa men o Economic and
Social A ai s h ps://popula ion.un.o g/wpp/Download/S anda d/Mos Used/ (accessed 24 Augus
2024) Release da e July 2022, p o ided by S a is a [9].
Figu e 2. P ima y ene gy consump ion wo ldwide by uel ype, p o ided by S a is a [9].
Ene gies 2024, 17, x FOR PEER REVIEW 2 o 10
Figu e 2. P ima y ene gy consump ion wo ldwide by uel ype, p o ided by S a is a [9].
Figu e 3. Ene gy- ela ed ca bon dioxide emissions wo ldwide, p o ided by S a is a [9].
The ene gy demand will ise in he u u e since Ea h’s popula ion con inues o g ow.
A s ong ela ionship be ween GDP g ow h and ene gy consump ion, especially in less
de eloped coun ies, is known o economis s [10–12].
The s a is ical da a p o ided below show a clea pic u e o u u e popula ion in-
c eases. A ica’s popula ion has he g ea es momen um (Figu e 4).
Figu e 4. Wo ld popula ion g ow h un il 2100. Sou ces: UN DESA; Gapminde , su ey by UN
DESA; OWID, published by UN DESA; OWID, sou ce link UN—Depa men o Economic and
Social A ai s h ps://popula ion.un.o g/wpp/Download/S anda d/Mos Used/ (accessed 24 Augus
2024) Release da e July 2022, p o ided by S a is a [9].
Figu e 3. Ene gy- ela ed ca bon dioxide emissions wo ldwide, p o ided by S a is a [9].
The ene gy demand will ise in he u u e since Ea h’s popula ion con inues o g ow.
A s ong ela ionship be ween GDP g ow h and ene gy consump ion, especially in less
de eloped coun ies, is known o economis s [10–12].
The s a is ical da a p o ided below show a clea pic u e o u u e popula ion inc eases.
A ica’s popula ion has he g ea es momen um (Figu e 4).
Ene gies 2024, 17, x FOR PEER REVIEW 2 o 10
Figu e 2. P ima y ene gy consump ion wo ldwide by uel ype, p o ided by S a is a [9].
Figu e 3. Ene gy- ela ed ca bon dioxide emissions wo ldwide, p o ided by S a is a [9].
The ene gy demand will ise in he u u e since Ea h’s popula ion con inues o g ow.
A s ong ela ionship be ween GDP g ow h and ene gy consump ion, especially in less
de eloped coun ies, is known o economis s [10–12].
The s a is ical da a p o ided below show a clea pic u e o u u e popula ion in-
c eases. A ica’s popula ion has he g ea es momen um (Figu e 4).
Figu e 4. Wo ld popula ion g ow h un il 2100. Sou ces: UN DESA; Gapminde , su ey by UN
DESA; OWID, published by UN DESA; OWID, sou ce link UN—Depa men o Economic and
Social A ai s h ps://popula ion.un.o g/wpp/Download/S anda d/Mos Used/ (accessed 24 Augus
2024) Release da e July 2022, p o ided by S a is a [9].
Figu e 4. Wo ld popula ion g ow h un il 2100. Sou ces: UN DESA; Gapminde , su ey by UN
DESA; OWID, published by UN DESA; OWID, sou ce link UN—Depa men o Economic and Social
A ai s h ps://popula ion.un.o g/wpp/Download/S anda d/Mos Used/ (accessed 24 Augus
2024) Release da e July 2022, p o ided by S a is a [9].
Due o he po e y o he majo i y o coun ies in A ica [
13
], he use o ene gy is
compa a i ely low due o a o dabili y conce ns. Howe e , his po e y will diminish
in he u u e, ine i ably inc easing ene gy demand and placing ela ed p essu es on he
ecology o ou plane . A o ecas o he o al popula ion o A ica un il 2050 is p o ided in
Figu e 5. A o ecas o he sha e o he popula ion li ing in ex eme po e y in A ica un il
he yea 2065 is p o ided in Figu e 6.
Ene gies 2024,17, 4242 3 o 9
Ene gies 2024, 17, x FOR PEER REVIEW 3 o 10
Due o he po e y o he majo i y o coun ies in A ica [13], he use o ene gy is
compa a i ely low due o a o dabili y conce ns. Howe e , his po e y will diminish in
he u u e, ine i ably inc easing ene gy demand and placing ela ed p essu es on he ecol-
ogy o ou plane . A o ecas o he o al popula ion o A ica un il 2050 is p o ided in
Figu e 5. A o ecas o he sha e o he popula ion li ing in ex eme po e y in A ica un il
he yea 2065 is p o ided in Figu e 6.
Figu e 5. Fo ecas o he o al popula ion o A ica un il 2050, p o ided by S a is a [9].
Figu e 6. Fo ecas o sha e o popula ion li ing in ex eme po e y in A ica un il 2065, p o ided by
S a is a [9].
2. T ansi ion Towa ds Renewable Ene gy: Challenges Rela ed o Ci cula Economy
The single way o cu b ai pollu ion caused by p ima y ene gy consump ion is
swi ching owa ds enewables, such as sola ene gy, wind, wa e powe , e c.
The ansi ion owa ds enewables in ol es a wide a ay o ba ie s. The ba ie s a e
b oad, in ol ing beha iou s and a i udes, which ha e o be esol ed h ough communi-
ca ion and aising awa eness, encou aging he social esponsibili y o consume s and in-
dus ies [14–16], and p omo ing company anspa ency in e ms o pe o mance sus ain-
abili y [17].
O he ba ie s include he addi ional cos s equi ed o ob ain ene gy-e icien equip-
men , assemble sola ba e ies, o pu chase g een ene gy om g ids [18,19]. Addi ionally,
mo e sus ainable p oduc ion cos s make g eene p oduc s mo e expensi e. The e o e, in-
no a ions in ha a ea a e essen ial. They could make he ansi ion owa ds enewables
cheape , e.g., p oducing hinne and mo e e icien sola panels [20] o cu bing ene gy
demand ia inno a i e solu ions [21]. Low-ene gy cons uc ion and anspo a e essen-
ial cons i uen s o demand educ ion in ela ion o ene gy sou ces [22].
Al hough he ansi ion owa ds enewable ene gy is needed since CO2 emissions
ha e o be cu bed, i will only be e icien i esou ces a e managed sus ainably.
Figu e 5. Fo ecas o he o al popula ion o A ica un il 2050, p o ided by S a is a [9].
Ene gies 2024, 17, x FOR PEER REVIEW 3 o 10
Due o he po e y o he majo i y o coun ies in A ica [13], he use o ene gy is
compa a i ely low due o a o dabili y conce ns. Howe e , his po e y will diminish in
he u u e, ine i ably inc easing ene gy demand and placing ela ed p essu es on he ecol-
ogy o ou plane . A o ecas o he o al popula ion o A ica un il 2050 is p o ided in
Figu e 5. A o ecas o he sha e o he popula ion li ing in ex eme po e y in A ica un il
he yea 2065 is p o ided in Figu e 6.
Figu e 5. Fo ecas o he o al popula ion o A ica un il 2050, p o ided by S a is a [9].
Figu e 6. Fo ecas o sha e o popula ion li ing in ex eme po e y in A ica un il 2065, p o ided by
S a is a [9].
2. T ansi ion Towa ds Renewable Ene gy: Challenges Rela ed o Ci cula Economy
The single way o cu b ai pollu ion caused by p ima y ene gy consump ion is
swi ching owa ds enewables, such as sola ene gy, wind, wa e powe , e c.
The ansi ion owa ds enewables in ol es a wide a ay o ba ie s. The ba ie s a e
b oad, in ol ing beha iou s and a i udes, which ha e o be esol ed h ough communi-
ca ion and aising awa eness, encou aging he social esponsibili y o consume s and in-
dus ies [14–16], and p omo ing company anspa ency in e ms o pe o mance sus ain-
abili y [17].
O he ba ie s include he addi ional cos s equi ed o ob ain ene gy-e icien equip-
men , assemble sola ba e ies, o pu chase g een ene gy om g ids [18,19]. Addi ionally,
mo e sus ainable p oduc ion cos s make g eene p oduc s mo e expensi e. The e o e, in-
no a ions in ha a ea a e essen ial. They could make he ansi ion owa ds enewables
cheape , e.g., p oducing hinne and mo e e icien sola panels [20] o cu bing ene gy
demand ia inno a i e solu ions [21]. Low-ene gy cons uc ion and anspo a e essen-
ial cons i uen s o demand educ ion in ela ion o ene gy sou ces [22].
Al hough he ansi ion owa ds enewable ene gy is needed since CO2 emissions
ha e o be cu bed, i will only be e icien i esou ces a e managed sus ainably.
Figu e 6. Fo ecas o sha e o popula ion li ing in ex eme po e y in A ica un il 2065, p o ided by
S a is a [9].
2. T ansi ion owa ds Renewable Ene gy: Challenges Rela ed o Ci cula Economy
The single way o cu b ai pollu ion caused by p ima y ene gy consump ion is swi ch-
ing owa ds enewables, such as sola ene gy, wind, wa e powe , e c.
The ansi ion owa ds enewables in ol es a wide a ay o ba ie s. The ba ie s
a e b oad, in ol ing beha iou s and a i udes, which ha e o be esol ed h ough com-
munica ion and aising awa eness, encou aging he social esponsibili y o consume s
and indus ies [
14
–
16
], and p omo ing company anspa ency in e ms o pe o mance
sus ainabili y [17].
O he ba ie s include he addi ional cos s equi ed o ob ain ene gy-e icien equip-
men , assemble sola ba e ies, o pu chase g een ene gy om g ids [
18
,
19
]. Addi ionally,
mo e sus ainable p oduc ion cos s make g eene p oduc s mo e expensi e. The e o e,
inno a ions in ha a ea a e essen ial. They could make he ansi ion owa ds enewables
cheape , e.g., p oducing hinne and mo e e icien sola panels [
20
] o cu bing ene gy
demand ia inno a i e solu ions [
21
]. Low-ene gy cons uc ion and anspo a e essen ial
cons i uen s o demand educ ion in ela ion o ene gy sou ces [22].
Al hough he ansi ion owa ds enewable ene gy is needed since CO
2
emissions
ha e o be cu bed, i will only be e icien i esou ces a e managed sus ainably.
The p oblem is ha such a ansi ion esul s in addi ional esou ce demand, and hese
esou ces become was e a e eaching he end o hei li e cycle. This was e has o be
ecycled. To unde s and he complexi y and impo ance o esou ce managemen e iciency,
le us use an example o sola panels. Cu en ly, ins alled panels ha e o be ecycled in
20–30 yea s. Sola panel sandwiches will ha e o be disman led in o composi e pa s. Some
o hose pa s mus be bu ned o , using o he echnologies, ans o med in o esou ces
ha could be e-used. Ra e me als mus be ex ac ed and p ocessed di e en ly han glass
and plas ics.
Ene gies 2024,17, 4242 4 o 9
Some indus ies al eady use an addi i e app oach o manu ac u ing [
23
] o make
disman ling and ecycling easie and mo e e icien . Howe e , he sola indus y has no
ye come up wi h such solu ions.
In summa y, he example o he pho o ol aic indus y shows ha he need o p ocess
used sola panels esul s in demand o addi ional ene gy and o he esou ces, such
as capi al, human esou ces, and ime, diminishing he ini ial e ec o ansi ioning
owa ds enewables.
The ansi ion owa ds enewable ene gy, be i sola ene gy, wind, su ene gy, o any
o he ype o enewable ene gy, mus be ca ied ou by conside ing esou ce managemen
in ad ance, accoun ing o all equipmen li e cycles. This cycle (we can call i he supply
chain in speci ic con ex s) has o be managed p uden ly o adhe e o he p inciples o
a ci cula economy. This cycle has o s a , no in he p oduc ion s age, as seen now, i
mus s a wi h ho ough and esponsible design, which would make ecycling easy and
e icien [
24
]. This issue is complica ed since, o example, sola panels, an essen ial pa
o he pho o ol aic indus y, a e p oduced by nume ous companies ha use hei own
design and p oduc ion echnologies, making i ex emely complica ed o sepa a e laye s o
obsole e sola panels o di e en sizes and echnologies when so ing hese used ma e ials
and ecycling hem. China is an essen ial playe in sola panels p oduc ion. Thei sola
panels a e expo ed wo ldwide. The absence o in e na ional s anda ds makes ecycling
expensi e, some imes leading o used panels being ea ed as non- ecyclable was e and
e en bu ied—a se ious c ime in e ms o sus ainabili y [25].
The p oblems acing sola ene gy panels a e no unique; hus, solu ions ha e o
be ound.
Simila issues a ise when ecycling wind u bines and o he equipmen , such as
sola ba e ies.
To conclude, he ansi ion owa ds enewable ene gy mus be implemen ed by em-
b acing all alue chains, om p oduc ion o equipmen u iliza ion when a he end o hei
li ecycle. I hese measu es a e no aken, immense esou ces will be was ed and pollu ion
will no be mi iga ed.
The in e sec ion o he ci cula economy and he ansi ion owa ds enewables mus
be iden i ied and discussed o isualize he o e all challenges acing he ci cula economy
caused by he ansi ion owa d enewable ene gy,
Un il now, jus one example o he challenges acing sus ainable esou ce managemen
o a ci cula economy ela ed o he ansi ion owa ds sola ene gy has been discussed.
The aim o his publica ion is o compose he a ailable agmen s in o one speci ically
composed pic u e, disclosing a a ie y o implica ions in ol ed in he ine i able ansi ion
and condi ioning he economic ise o economies ha possess he esou ces needed o
ensu e he u u e o ou plane . Since he opic o he ci cula economy is as , we will ocus
on he consequences o sho -sigh ed policies ackling one issue which, in u n, causes
o he ones.
A oad map and a p edic i e capaci y assessmen a e necessa y o conse e esou ces,
be i capi al, un o eseen addi ional ene gy demand, o human esou ces. Wha is e en
mo e c i ical is ha ime is was ed as well, which means we a e mos likely mo ing owa ds
nume ous s ill-unp edic ed consequences a inc edible speed.
When we ask a s uden o de ine a ci cula economy, we will ecei e a su icien ly
co ec answe : he need o educe consump ion, p olong he use o goods, and ecycle in
o de o achie e a so-called “closed-loop” ha delays he ex ac ion o na u al esou ces.
The 3R p inciple ela es o “Reduce, Re-use, and Recycle.” The ansi ion owa ds a ci cula
economy is closely ela ed o he ansi ion owa ds enewable ene gy. A i s glance,
g adual eliance on sola and wind ene gy linea ly posi i ely a ec s he mo e owa ds
he use o sus ainable na u al esou ces. As we will see, he ela ionship be ween a mo e
ci cula economy and swi ching o powe gene a ed by enewables is no linea since i
equi es a ious inancial, ene gy- ela ed, and na u al esou ces. The e o e, we mus be
p epa ed o he issues ha will ine i ably eme ge when ansi ioning o enewable ene gy.
Ene gies 2024,17, 4242 5 o 9
We mus unde s and hem clea ly o o e come hese hu dles wi h p epa edness and as
e icien ly as possible.
Special a en ion mus be paid o he in e sec ion o he ci cula economy and he
ansi ion owa ds enewables.
Unde s anding he ela ionship and di e ences be ween he ci cula economy and he
ansi ion owa ds enewable ene gy mus be acili a ed.
A as s and o he li e a u e is de o ed o mul iple ace s o he ci cula economy.
Simila ly, nume ous s udies ha e been designed o ackle he many p oblems ela ed o he
ansi ion owa ds enewable ene gy [
26
,
27
]. Le us b ie ly discuss he h ee undamen al
p inciples o he ci cula economy: “Reduce, Re-use, and Recycle”. Le us e u n o he
main p inciples o ci cula economy and conside how hey can be applied o he ene gy
ansi ion owa ds enewables.
The i s p inciple, “ educe”, can inc ease ene gy consump ion e iciency, diminish
ene gy in ensi y, and educe consump ion ia dec eased demand and beha iou al changes.
No ably, despi e ce ain simila i ies, di e ences in conno a ions due o speci ic p o-
cesses a e p esen (see Table 1).
Table 1. The speci ics o he “Reduce“ p inciple in applica ion.
The T ansi ion owa ds
he Ci cula Economy The T ansi ion owa ds Renewable Ene gy
Diminishing consump ion •Inc eased e iciency (inno a ions)
•Beha iou al changes (ene gy s ewa dship)
Tables 1–3illus a e ha he “Reuse” p inciple does no apply o he ansi ion o
enewable ene gy, and “Recycle” encoun e s obs acles in e ms o implemen a ion. In
addi ion, he e a e peculia i ies speci ic o he ansi ion owa ds enewable ene gy ha
need o be conside ed in e ms o ci cula economy p inciples.
Table 2. The speci ics o he “Re-use” p inciple in applica ion.
The T ansi ion owa ds
he Ci cula Economy The T ansi ion owa ds Renewable Ene gy
Collec ing, so ing was e, and ecycling Recycling sola panels and ba e ies
Table 3. The speci ics o he “Recycle“ p inciple in applica ion.
T ansi ion owa ds
he Ci cula Economy T ansi ion owa ds Renewable Ene gy
Collec ing, so ing was e. and ecycling Recycling sola panels, ba e ies, and wind u bines
The peculia i ies o he ansi ion owa ds enewable ene gy ha a e ye o be consid-
e ed in e ms o a ci cula economy a e summa ized below (Figu e 7).
To gene alize, he peculia i y o enewable ene gy de elopmen is ha i equi es o he
aluable esou ces, such as land (e.g., sola ene gy a ms, windmills, wind u bines, and
hyd opowe plan s), inancial esou ces, such as in es men in g ids, and he ex ac ion o
ea ea h esou ces, which a e needed o he p oduc ion o ba e ies (la e esul ing in
ine i able decen aliza ion h ough compa a i e ene gy s o age independence, educing
g id loads). The ci cula economy needs o conside he ise o addi ional p essu e on he
ansi ion p ocess o using sca ce esou ces.
Ene gies 2024,17, 4242 6 o 9
Ene gies 2024, 17, x FOR PEER REVIEW 6 o 10
Figu e 7. The in e sec ion o ansi ion owa ds he ci cula economy and enewable ene gy, wi h
ma ked speci ic demand o addi ional esou ces caused by he de elopmen o enewable ene gy
indus ies. Sou ce: composed by he au ho , pa ly based on [28–34].
To gene alize, he peculia i y o enewable ene gy de elopmen is ha i equi es
o he aluable esou ces, such as land (e.g., sola ene gy a ms, windmills, wind u bines,
and hyd opowe plan s), inancial esou ces, such as in es men in g ids, and he ex ac-
ion o ea ea h esou ces, which a e needed o he p oduc ion o ba e ies (la e esul -
ing in ine i able decen aliza ion h ough compa a i e ene gy s o age independence, e-
ducing g id loads). The ci cula economy needs o conside he ise o addi ional p essu e
on he ansi ion p ocess o using sca ce esou ces.
I is impe a i e o see ha some esou ces, such as a e me als, which a e equi ed
o he p oduc ion o ba e ies a e only a ailable in some coun ies; o he coun ies appea
o be in a much weake posi ion in e ms o hese esou ces [35]. Inc easing demand o
a e me als can be me by inc easing he scale o mining, ine i ably aising p ices, simila
o wha happens in o he simila mining indus ies [36].
The demand o ba e ies is accele a ing in s ep wi h a emp s o ansi ion owa ds
enewable ene gy use, wi h Li hium-ion ba e ies being in he highes demand (Figu e 8).
Elec ic ca ba e ies a e he p ima y d i e s o his ma ke .
Figu e 8. Demand o ba e ies is accele a ing in s ep wi h a emp s o ansi ion owa ds enewable
ene gy use, wi h li hium-ion ba e ies being he mos equi ed, as s a ed by S a is a [9].
Figu e 7. The in e sec ion o ansi ion owa ds he ci cula economy and enewable ene gy, wi h
ma ked speci ic demand o addi ional esou ces caused by he de elopmen o enewable ene gy
indus ies. Sou ce: composed by he au ho , pa ly based on [28–34].
I is impe a i e o see ha some esou ces, such as a e me als, which a e equi ed o
he p oduc ion o ba e ies a e only a ailable in some coun ies; o he coun ies appea o
be in a much weake posi ion in e ms o hese esou ces [
35
]. Inc easing demand o a e
me als can be me by inc easing he scale o mining, ine i ably aising p ices, simila o
wha happens in o he simila mining indus ies [36].
The demand o ba e ies is accele a ing in s ep wi h a emp s o ansi ion owa ds
enewable ene gy use, wi h Li hium-ion ba e ies being in he highes demand (Figu e 8).
Elec ic ca ba e ies a e he p ima y d i e s o his ma ke .
Ene gies 2024, 17, x FOR PEER REVIEW 6 o 10
Figu e 7. The in e sec ion o ansi ion owa ds he ci cula economy and enewable ene gy, wi h
ma ked speci ic demand o addi ional esou ces caused by he de elopmen o enewable ene gy
indus ies. Sou ce: composed by he au ho , pa ly based on [28–34].
To gene alize, he peculia i y o enewable ene gy de elopmen is ha i equi es
o he aluable esou ces, such as land (e.g., sola ene gy a ms, windmills, wind u bines,
and hyd opowe plan s), inancial esou ces, such as in es men in g ids, and he ex ac-
ion o ea ea h esou ces, which a e needed o he p oduc ion o ba e ies (la e esul -
ing in ine i able decen aliza ion h ough compa a i e ene gy s o age independence, e-
ducing g id loads). The ci cula economy needs o conside he ise o addi ional p essu e
on he ansi ion p ocess o using sca ce esou ces.
I is impe a i e o see ha some esou ces, such as a e me als, which a e equi ed
o he p oduc ion o ba e ies a e only a ailable in some coun ies; o he coun ies appea
o be in a much weake posi ion in e ms o hese esou ces [35]. Inc easing demand o
a e me als can be me by inc easing he scale o mining, ine i ably aising p ices, simila
o wha happens in o he simila mining indus ies [36].
The demand o ba e ies is accele a ing in s ep wi h a emp s o ansi ion owa ds
enewable ene gy use, wi h Li hium-ion ba e ies being in he highes demand (Figu e 8).
Elec ic ca ba e ies a e he p ima y d i e s o his ma ke .
Figu e 8. Demand o ba e ies is accele a ing in s ep wi h a emp s o ansi ion owa ds enewable
ene gy use, wi h li hium-ion ba e ies being he mos equi ed, as s a ed by S a is a [9].
Figu e 8. Demand o ba e ies is accele a ing in s ep wi h a emp s o ansi ion owa ds enewable
ene gy use, wi h li hium-ion ba e ies being he mos equi ed, as s a ed by S a is a [9].
Wo ldwide ese es o a e ea h esou ces a e depic ed below (Figu e 9). I shows ha
se e al coun ies, such as China, Vie nam, Russia, B azil and India, possess a signi ican
pa o ou plane ’s ese es, which may esul in u u e geopoli ical ensions soon.
Ene gies 2024,17, 4242 7 o 9
Ene gies 2024, 17, x FOR PEER REVIEW 7 o 10
Wo ldwide ese es o a e ea h esou ces a e depic ed below (Figu e 9). I shows
ha se e al coun ies, such as China, Vie nam, Russia, B azil and India, possess a signi i-
can pa o ou plane ’s ese es, which may esul in u u e geopoli ical ensions soon.
Figu e 9. Rese es o a e ea hs wo ldwide, p o ided by S a is a [9].
The e is an u gen need o no el economic policies [37,38] and s a egies o secu e
ou u u e [39] ia well-designed, pu posely managed, and socially esponsible in es -
men s [40] (Majewska, A.; Beł owska, P. 2023).
3. Concluding Insigh s
Wo ld p ima y ene gy consump ion has no dec eased despi e nume ous policies
and inc eased awa eness.
Renewables and hyd oelec ici y comp ise a mino sha e o o e all ene gy consump-
ion. Leading posi ions in e ms o ene gy p oduc ion a e s ill held by ossil uels, speci i-
cally oil, na u al gas, and coal. Nuclea ene gy is loca ed be ween ossil uels and enew-
ables (in his pape , we do no conside he ole o nuclea powe , which has long- e m
ha m ul impac s on he plane );
Ca bone dioxide emissions emain high due o he composi ion o he consumed en-
e gy mix.
The wo ld popula ion con inues o g ow. A ica is he leading con inen in e ms o
popula ion g ow h. Cu en ly, due o po e y, A ica con ibu es li le o he inc easing
ene gy demand. Howe e , his si ua ion will ine i ably change in he u u e, wi h dimin-
ishing po e y and espec i e inc eases in ene gy a o dabili y.
T ansi ioning owa ds enewables emains he p ima y way o cu bing he de e io-
a ion o ou plane . Howe e , his pa h is no easy since i equi es changes o beha iou s
and a i udes conce ning ene gy consump ion, b ough abou ia he inc eased social e-
sponsibili y o consume s and indus ies. Sus ainabili y epo ing mus become he usual
p ac ice, enhancing he anspa ency o companies. Ba ie s, such as addi ional cos s, ha e
o be abso bed by consume s and p oduce s. Inno a ions a e expec ed o aise demand,
and ene gy s ewa dship and diminished cos s o enewables ansi ion h ough no el
echnological solu ions a e needed.
Special a en ion mus be paid o he in e sec ion o he ci cula economy and he
ansi ion owa ds enewables. I means ha he de elopmen o enewable ene gy e-
qui es signi ican amoun s o addi ional esou ces, speci ically land and sea, inancial e-
sou ces o building and se icing in as uc u e (e.g., g ids), and a e ea h elemen s
(needed o ene gy s o age in ba e ies);
The main sha e o all a e ea h elemen s can be ound in China, Vie nam, Russia,
B azil and India. The sha p ise in demand o hose a e elemen s may igge se ious
addi ional geopoli ical ensions.
Figu e 9. Rese es o a e ea hs wo ldwide, p o ided by S a is a [9].
The e is an u gen need o no el economic policies [
37
,
38
] and s a egies o secu e ou
u u e [
39
] ia well-designed, pu posely managed, and socially esponsible in es men s [
40
]
(Majewska, A.; Beł owska, P. 2023).
3. Concluding Insigh s
Wo ld p ima y ene gy consump ion has no dec eased despi e nume ous policies and
inc eased awa eness.
Renewables and hyd oelec ici y comp ise a mino sha e o o e all ene gy consump-
ion. Leading posi ions in e ms o ene gy p oduc ion a e s ill held by ossil uels, speci i-
cally oil, na u al gas, and coal. Nuclea ene gy is loca ed be ween ossil uels and enew-
ables (in his pape , we do no conside he ole o nuclea powe , which has long- e m
ha m ul impac s on he plane );
Ca bone dioxide emissions emain high due o he composi ion o he consumed
ene gy mix.
The wo ld popula ion con inues o g ow. A ica is he leading con inen in e ms
o popula ion g ow h. Cu en ly, due o po e y, A ica con ibu es li le o he inc eas-
ing ene gy demand. Howe e , his si ua ion will ine i ably change in he u u e, wi h
diminishing po e y and espec i e inc eases in ene gy a o dabili y.
T ansi ioning owa ds enewables emains he p ima y way o cu bing he de e io a-
ion o ou plane . Howe e , his pa h is no easy since i equi es changes o beha iou s
and a i udes conce ning ene gy consump ion, b ough abou ia he inc eased social e-
sponsibili y o consume s and indus ies. Sus ainabili y epo ing mus become he usual
p ac ice, enhancing he anspa ency o companies. Ba ie s, such as addi ional cos s, ha e
o be abso bed by consume s and p oduce s. Inno a ions a e expec ed o aise demand,
and ene gy s ewa dship and diminished cos s o enewables ansi ion h ough no el
echnological solu ions a e needed.
Special a en ion mus be paid o he in e sec ion o he ci cula economy and he
ansi ion owa ds enewables. I means ha he de elopmen o enewable ene gy equi es
signi ican amoun s o addi ional esou ces, speci ically land and sea, inancial esou ces
o building and se icing in as uc u e (e.g., g ids), and a e ea h elemen s (needed o
ene gy s o age in ba e ies);
The main sha e o all a e ea h elemen s can be ound in China, Vie nam, Russia,
B azil and India. The sha p ise in demand o hose a e elemen s may igge se ious
addi ional geopoli ical ensions.
Recycling all equipmen needed o he g ow h o enewable ene gy, such as obsole e
sola panels, wind u bines, and ba e ies, s ill needs o be sol ed. The ansi ion owa ds
enewable ene gy is necessa y; his p ocess mus be ho oughly hough h ough and
implemen ed h ough sus ainable esou ce managemen o achie e a ci cula economy.
Ene gies 2024,17, 4242 8 o 9
4. Di ec ions o Fu he Resea ch
Fu he esea ch mus ackle a wide ange o issues ela ed o he ansi ion owa ds
enewable ene gy, ackling he challenge o sus ainable esou ce managemen o a ci cula
economy. The ollowing di ec ions would allow us o ill in he exis ing gaps:
Cu bing p ima y esou ce consump ion by educing demand ia new echnologies, eco-
nomic policies, and in e na ional ag eemen s;
Inc ease inno a i e enewables by expanding he use o ba e ies;
Manage all supply chains in ol ing he ecycling o obsole e equipmen , such as sola
panels, wind u bines, windmills, and ba e ies;
Sol e p oblems ela ed o he ex a cos s o enewable ene gy encoun e ed by p oduce s
and consume s;
P edic he consequences o ising demand o a e ea h elemen s ela ed o hei mining
and geopoli ical isks;
Look o echnological and manage ial solu ions ha allow o he use o un apped e-
sou ces con ained in used ba e ies;
De ise policies and ans e knowledge o employ enewable esou ces in A ican coun ies
o p epa e o mee he ine i able ene gy demand inc eases in his de eloping con inen .
Funding: P ojec 101129820 Clus e o inno a i e ene gy (CLUSTER-INN), unded by he Eu opean
Resea ch Execu i e Agency (REA), p og am “HORIZON-MSCA-2022-SE-01”. h ps://ec.eu opa.eu/
in o/ unding- ende s/oppo uni ies/po al/sc een/oppo uni ies/p ojec s-de ails/43108390/10112
9820/HORIZON, accessed on 2 Augus 2024.
Con lic s o In e es : The au ho decla es no con lic s o in e es .
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au ho (s) and con ibu o (s) and no o MDPI and/o he edi o (s). MDPI and/o he edi o (s) disclaim esponsibili y o any inju y o
people o p ope y esul ing om any ideas, me hods, ins uc ions o p oduc s e e ed o in he con en .
