Modern energy systems depend on more than fuel. They rely on a growing range of critical minerals and engineered materials used in transmission lines, transformers, batteries, wind turbines, solar panels, electric vehicles, nuclear facilities, and power electronics. Yet many of these supply chains are highly concentrated, particularly in the processing stages that convert raw ore into battery-grade chemicals, magnet-grade rare earths, electrical steel, and semiconductor materials.
This report, authored by Dylan Lanning, Nathan Johnson, and Elena van Hove, examines how these dependencies are reshaping energy security. It identifies where mineral and material vulnerabilities are concentrated across major energy technologies, distinguishes the risks that matter most, and outlines strategies to strengthen supply-chain resilience through diversification, recycling, substitution, domestic capacity, and international partnerships.
The full brief is available for download below.
Preferred citation: Lanning, D.J., Johnson, N.G., van Hove, E. (2026). Securing Energy Abundance: From Fuels to Critical Materials. Laboratory for Energy And Power Solutions, Arizona State University. https://leaps.asu.edu/