Transforming the Clean Energy Supply Chain (Text Version)

Below is the text version of the video Transforming the Clean Energy Supply Chain.

Text on screen: Transforming the Clean Energy Supply Chain

Narrator: One hundred percent clean energy by 2035. That’s our goal.

Getting there will require astonishing growth in solar, wind, and other renewables, plus systems to store energy and feed the grid. This clean energy boom will mean manufacturing new technology in enormous quantities.

Text on screen: Supply chains are only as strong as their weakest links.

Supply chains—material, production, and distribution networks—are only as strong as their weakest links. NREL and its partners are finding ways to strengthen the supply chain for tomorrow’s clean energy surge.

Text on screen: Tomorrow's Supply Chain = Sustainable, Resilient, Reliable

Like most products, today’s clean energy materials and components often travel thousands of miles. Not only is this supply chain powered by fossil fuel, mining critical materials and manufacturing parts can pose hazards to the environment and workers.

Text on screen: Today's Supply Chain = Global Imports, Powered by Fossil Fuels, Unsustainable Manufacturing Practices

All of this can make the clean energy industry ... well, not so clean. And vulnerable to shortages, strikes, and natural disasters.

Text on screen: Global Imports + Powered by Fossil Fuels + Unsustainable Manufacturing Practices = Supply Chain Vulnerability

How can we plug into a truly clean supply chain for this energy? NREL researchers are exploring what’s called a “circular economy” for clean energy to extend the lifespan of materials, parts, and products, reduce waste, conserve resources, and boost efficiency.

Graphic on screen titled the Circular Economy includes resource extraction, material and product design, manufacturing, use (reliability), and recovery, which feeds into reuse/repurpose, remanufacture, recycle, and waste.

One-of-a-kind NREL facilities are developing innovative new manufacturing methods, such as on-site 3D printing.

Text on screen: Options to Deliver Maximum Benefits on Multiple Fronts

Analysts are combining specialized tools with real-world data, evaluating manufacturing options in terms of supply, workforce, cost, the environment, and more.

Text on screen: Sustainable manufacturing of semiconductors, solar panels, wind turbines, batteries, and more.

This will help produce clean energy components in ways that are good for the planet, the economy, and consumers, and distribute cargo efficiently using renewable fuels and electricity to minimize its environmental footprint, while providing even more reliable, affordable clean energy from the wind, sun, and other renewable resources.

Text on screen: More Renewable Technologies

This will—in turn—give Americans clean energy to manufacture electric cars and other sustainable technologies, to power transportation, industry, and buildings, helping the country reach its ambitious clean energy goals and slow the progress of climate change with a supply chain that is truly clean, reliable, and affordable.

Text on screen: 100% Clean Energy by 2035. Learn more about NREL's Clean Energy Supply Chain Research by visiting nrel.gov.