Securing Rare Earth Permanent Magnet Needs for Sustainable Energy Initiatives

Abstract

Rare earth permanent magnets are vital in various sectors, including renewable energy conversion, where they are widely used in permanent magnet generators. However, the global supply and availability of these materials present significant risks, and their mining and processing have raised serious environmental concerns. This paper reviews the necessary legislative, economic, and technological measures that must be implemented to address these issues. While it may not be feasible to eliminate the risks associated with the availability of rare earth materials, researchers in the field of electrical generators can play a crucial role in significantly reducing the demand for newly mined and processed such materials, thereby mitigating the negative environmental impacts of their extraction and production.