Energiråmaterial

Energiråmaterial, or energy raw materials, is a term used to describe the set of natural resources and materials essential for producing, converting, storing, and distributing energy. The category spans traditional fuels such as oil, natural gas, and coal, as well as uranium used in nuclear power, and energy carriers like biomass and biofuels. It also covers minerals and materials required by modern energy systems, including lithium, cobalt, nickel, graphite, rare earth elements, copper, aluminum, silicon, and various catalysts and magnets used in renewable technologies and energy storage.

The concept is used to analyze supply security, price volatility, and environmental and social impacts of extraction and processing. Because many of these materials are geographically concentrated, they are subject to geopolitical risk and trade policy. Sustainable management includes responsible mining practices, recycling, material efficiency, and the development of substitutes to reduce dependence on single sources or technologies.

Policy and research efforts focus on monitoring criticality, maintaining diversified supply chains, and strengthening domestic processing capacity. Governments and international bodies may publish lists of critical raw materials and adopt strategies such as diversification of suppliers, strategic stockpiles, and international cooperation. The energy transition tends to increase demand for high-tech materials, prompting investment in recycling, circular economy approaches, and advances in alternative chemistries and materials.

See also: Critical raw materials, Energy policy, Battery technology, Renewable energy materials.