18. Renewables: the geopolitics of the future

We can point to the problem of biofuels, which can easily circulate from one country, or even continent, to another. But is it reasonable to emit CO ₂ to transport over long distances a product that is supposed to reduce emissions?

Perhaps more serious is the problem of developing electricity from wind and solar power. The development of electricity interconnections throughout the world is a necessity, as it enables consumers to be better supplied at lower cost. However, the massive development of solar and wind power could lead to definite difficulties for grid operators.

The development of renewable energies raises the issue of the raw materials needed to manufacture them: metals (copper, nickel, aluminum, cobalt, lithium in particular), which are often referred to as critical because of their...