| Wind Watch is a registered educational charity, founded in 2005. |
China to cut export of rare-earth metals
Credit: Ros Davidson, Windpower Monthly, 19 October 2010, windpowermonthly.com ~~
Translate: FROM English | TO English
Translate: FROM English | TO English
In 2011 China will slash export quotas for rare-earth metals by up to 30% to conserve supplies, according to reports.
Rare-earth metals are used in large quantities in permanent-magnet generators (PMG) for next-generation wind turbines. China controls an estimated 97% of the world’s processed rare-earth metals and is the leading maker of rare-earth permanent magnets.
The latest cut in export quotas comes just four days after the US Trade Representative said his office will probe China’s allegedly illegal “protective” behavior over its clean-energy industries, including wind.
The complaint, filed by the United Steelworkers trade union, cites among other things China’s reduced rare-earth export quotas.
China has been steadily cutting export quotas of rare-earth metals by 10% to 15% yearly for about five years.
[…]
More recently, China reduced 2010 production levels of rare-earth metals and slashed export quotas by a massive 72 percent for the second half of 2010, says China Daily, citing official data.
Many leading wind turbine manufacturers use rare-earth based PMGs. These include Siemens, Vestas and China’s largest wind turbine manufacturer, Goldwind. A high-energy PMG for a 3.5MW turbine could use 2,000 kg (4,400 lbs) of rare-earth or neodymium-based alloy.
[complete article available at source]
This article is the work of the source indicated. Any opinions expressed in it are not necessarily those of National Wind Watch.
The copyright of this article resides with the author or publisher indicated. As part of its noncommercial educational effort to present the environmental, social, scientific, and economic issues of large-scale wind power development to a global audience seeking such information, National Wind Watch endeavors to observe “fair use” as provided for in section 107 of U.S. Copyright Law and similar “fair dealing” provisions of the copyright laws of other nations. Send requests to excerpt, general inquiries, and comments via e-mail.
| Wind Watch relies entirely on User Contributions |
 (via Stripe) |
 (via Paypal) |
Share:
[ Short URL: https://wind-watch.org/news/?p=42548 ]
