· American green energy could endanger the national security.
· China is produces more than 90% of the elements and minerals used in the green energy transition. This could mean the elements industry depends on china for some of these elements.
Green energy policies like electric vehicles and renewables might jeopardize national security. This is because most of the technologies to embrace the transition are from China. The transition might end up strengthening Beijing in the raw materials industries. Materials like lithium and cobalt are mostly found in the Chinese market. Biden’s goal in presidency is to reach a carbon-free economy by 2035. This includes cutting down on the use of fossil fuels.
Surge arrestor is a protective device used on power distribution networks. It limits voltage transients that cause damages. Voltages from lightning strikes, switching operations can cause damages to the devices. Surge arrestors by providing a low impedance path to ground for transient energy. This diverts the surge from the protected equipment. They are mainly installed at various points in the power networks. This is especially near or close to the conductors. Surge arrestors work at applications such as transformers, power stations and power poles.
Factors leading to the endangerment of American green energy
America dependency on Chinese technologies may bring potential national risks. Diversifying supply chain and investing in domestic research may ensure American energy security. Surge arrestors are from materials that resist both weather conditions and heat. The various ways affecting the national security are as follows:
1. Cybersecurity
Green technologies depend on digital infrastructure like smart grids and energy management systems. These systems are prone to cyber-attacks. Cyber attacks originating from China could disrupt energy supplies. It could also damage critical infrastructure.
2. Supply chain disruptions
China controls the market for various elements and minerals. These include lithium and rare earth metals. They may interrupt the supply into the United States. Limited export of these materials affect the production of green energy technologies.
3. Economic intelligence
China for engages in economic espionage including technologies related to green energy industries. Stealing American technologies could strengthen China in the global green energy market. This could also disrupt American companies’ effectiveness.
4. Environmental risks
China is currently the biggest emitter of greenhouse gases in the world. This could affect the green energy technology exported to America. This is because the production caused effects in the climate change. American green energy dependency could undermine the environmental benefits of the green transition. This in turn will harm the American efforts to reduce the carbon emissions.
5. Strategic vulnerability
America would depend on the Chinese technology which might give them access to their infrastructure. If China used the leverage for political purposes, it could weaken American security and harm American interests.
Technologies dependent on the Chinese metals
Various technologies used in the green energy transition are dependent on various elements and earth metals dominated by China in the market. American dependence on the elements may cause supply disruptions, geopolitical risks and environmental impacts. Surge arrestors also protect the overhead power line devices from lightning strikes and electric surges from operations. Various green energy technologies dependent on china are as discussed below.
· Lithium-ion batteries
China controls a significant portion of the lithium supply and the global lithium-ion batteries industry. Lithium is a key component for batteries used in electric vehicles and energy storage systems.
· Electric vehicles
Electric vehicles industries use a range of rare earth metals like neodymium, praseodymium and dysprosium. These metals work in the motors and batteries of the electric vehicles. American dependency on the electric vehicles for the green energy transition will make them dependent on China. This may strengthen China’s industries and may endanger the US.
· Solar panels
Solar panels technologies depend on materials such as cadmium, tellurium and indium. China produces over 80% of world’s production of solar-grade silicon that applies in the solar panels.
· Wind turbines
Earth metals such as neodymium and dysprosium work in the magnets that generate electricity. These metals are available in China which may make America dependent on the supply.
· LED lights
Elements that produce the phosphors that convert electrical energy into visible light include europium, terbium and yttrium. America may depend on china for the supply of these materials since China produces 95% of the minerals in the market.