A Modeling and Optimization Framework for Energy-Materials-Mobility Transition Nexus

The development of viable, cost-effective, and sustainable low-carbon technologies and decarbonized processes drives energy transition efforts. Such efforts also require significant changes and expansion of the underlying infrastructure to support a future energy scenario, which is heavily dependent on the availability of resources and materials. Materials play a key role in energy storage, electric vehicle production, grid infrastructure, and construction of new and conventional power and energy-generating facilities, including renewables. The production and procurement of these materials introduce new challenges, and they may require additional production and supply chain routes, involve investment costs, and generate emissions. Hence, it is important to systematically consider the energy-materials interactions to fully address sustainable energy challenges. In this work, we propose a framework for the energy-materials transition nexus with a particular focus on a mobility transition scenario. A multiscale modeling and optimization model is introduced, which integrates energy transition with materials transition considerations. Key features include (i) a multiobjective mixed integer linear optimization model to describe the materials and energy production and supply chains based on a resource task-material-network representation, and (ii) cost and emissions considerations across the energy-material nexus. Our proposed framework is illustrated with a detailed case study on a transition scenario for mobility toward electric vehicles (EVs) in Texas, which reveals the intricate interconnections among energy supply, material resources, and vehicle production, highlighting the need for an integrated nexus approach.