Scientists Map Supply Chains to Prevent Energy Shortages

Every time you charge your phone, an invisible network of copper, steel, and rare minerals makes it possible. Now scientists have found a way to make sure those materials never run out.

Researchers at the National Laboratory of the Rockies built a computer model called RING that tracks every step of how materials move from mines to finished energy products. The tool shows where supply problems might happen before they cause delays or shortages.

The model works like a global GPS for materials. It follows lithium from mines in Australia or Chile, through processing plants in China, into batteries that power everything from phones to electric grids. When scientists spot a potential bottleneck, energy companies and government planners can take action early.

Sarah Inskeep, a technical lead on the project, explains that most energy technologies compete for the same materials. Batteries, transformers, and transmission lines all need copper. Without seeing the big picture, it looks like there's plenty to go around. But when you add up all the demand, experts predict a 30% global copper shortage by 2035.

The RING Model helps decision makers test different scenarios. What happens if a foreign supplier stops exporting a key metal? How much domestic manufacturing would fill the gap? Which alternative materials could work just as well?

The team recently used RING to analyze transmission supply chains for the Department of Energy. They calculated exactly how many transformers, circuit breakers, and transmission towers the country needs. Then they figured out which materials those require and where to get them.

The Ripple Effect

The research reaches beyond spreadsheets and supply chains. The lab partners with communities considering new mining projects through their Energy to Communities program. Local support often determines whether mines open on schedule, so the lab provides free technical assistance to answer citizens' questions.

This approach bridges two worlds that rarely connect. The same scientists modeling global material flows also help small towns understand how a nearby mine might affect their lives. When communities feel heard and informed, energy projects move forward faster.

The work matters more each year as America's energy demand grows. Grid operators need reliable access to materials. Manufacturers need predictable supply chains. Communities need honest information about mining projects.

By mapping these connections now, the team helps prevent tomorrow's shortages while building trust where energy projects and communities meet.