Critical materials showed resilience in January amid global volatility. We take a deep dive into China's growing leadership in clean technology investments, the disruptive impact of DeepSeek's AI model and the implications of U.S. policy changes on the energy transition and critical materials supply chains.

Batteries and energy storage continue to underpin electrification trends, solidifying their role as a cornerstone in the global shift toward sustainable energy. Support is being strengthened by strategic investments from governments and corporations, and resilient demand for critical minerals like lithium, copper and nickel. 

Demand for electricity over the next decade will put pressure on the U.S. power grid to keep pace. New investment in power-hungry industrial facilities is driving demand, especially the data centers that support artificial intelligence (AI), U.S. reshoring initiatives and the steady electrification of the transport sector.

Renewable energy is rapidly replacing fossil fuels as costs decrease and efficiencies improve with increased deployment, making it much cheaper than traditional energy sources. This shift, driven by the exponential growth of renewables, electrification, and efficiency, is expected to significantly alter global power dynamics as fossil fuels are phased out.

The world is in the midst of a fourth industrial revolution (4IR) as technological developments like artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, IoT, genetic engineering and quantum computing bring about an unprecedented integration of the digital, physical and biological realms. Electrification and energy are pivotal to advancing 4IR technologies, and the resulting demand pressures on critical minerals like copper, lithium and uranium are supporting a new commodity supercycle.

In this episode of Shifting Energy (Season 1), Thalia Hayden of etfguide talks with Steve Schoffstall, Director of ETF Product Management at Sprott Asset Management, about the nickel growth story, what's driving it and the investment opportunities now and ahead.

The copper market is entering a new supercycle, built on several rising geopolitical and market trends contributing to a strong bullish outlook. Demand is surging as countries invest in clean energy and protect their access to copper, while supply is constrained by a lack of new mine development.

The rise of AI and data centers is likely to significantly increase global electricity demand, creating challenges for power grids but also opportunities for stable, clean energy sources like nuclear power. AI data centers are also likely to support increased demand for copper.

Nickel's future looks promising due to its role in achieving net-zero emission goals. Stricter regulations and government support for electric vehicles are driving up demand for nickel, which will benefit nickel mining companies in the long run. Nickel-intensive batteries are also increasingly being used in large-scale energy storage systems that employ thousands of NMC batteries to power renewable energy projects.

The energy sector has experienced a remarkable transformation, primarily driven by the rapid growth and integration of renewable energy sources. Central to this transition is the advancement of battery storage technology, a critical enabler that promises to reshape how we generate, distribute and consume electricity. As we examine this evolving landscape, it becomes evident that battery storage is a technological cornerstone for a sustainable energy future.

Used in far more than just coins today, nickel is the hidden metal that’s everywhere in our modern world. To walk us through its fascinating story, Ed Coyne is joined by Gary Coates from The Nickel Institute.

February was a lackluster month for critical materials, but the backdrop remains very positive. The global commitment to clean energy hit a new milestone in 2023 as investment in energy transition surged to an unprecedented $1.77 trillion, led by electrified transport. Over the past 10 years, investment in global energy transition has grown at a 24% compound annual rate, several times the global GDP growth rate.

A significant transition is underway in global energy production. The era of renewable energy is emerging and beginning to reshape power generation. Recent trends suggest that this shift is no fleeting phenomenon but a fundamental transformation powered by the relentless fall in renewable energy costs. The world is investing heavily in renewables. Some 62% of total global energy investment is now directed to clean energy.

The long-term trajectory for EVs is positive despite the recent slowdown. The EV industry is navigating the typical challenges of early technology adoption, with continuous investments and technological advancements driving the transition to electrification. Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are the preferred battery technology for EVs, thanks to their superior technical properties and significant investment in their development and infrastructure.

As the United States advances in its pursuit of clean energy, it is strategically redirecting its energy security emphasis from oil to critical minerals. This dynamic shift is designed to decrease reliance on oil, and diminish the influence of oil geopolitics and the sway of petrostates such as Russia.

Uranium's performance helped the energy transition complex close higher in September. From a macro outlook, solar panels are emerging as a critical player in the global energy transition. Evolving technologies in renewable energy, especially in the solar space, are driving a surge in silver demand which may likely outpace supply over the next decade.

Uranium had a strong month in August, contrasting with the decline of most energy transition metals due to China's economic troubles and shadow banking woes. The investment capital spurred by the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) is turning the U.S. into a cleantech powerhouse, reshaping global economics. The old China-led commodity supercycle is giving way to a new U.S.-based supercycle focusing on clean energy and innovation.

Given increased electricity demand and the risks posed by climate change, the U.S. power grid desperately needs modernization. There is an immediate need to expand the grid’s capacity, increase its resilience and support its most vulnerable components – the transmission and distribution lines. This is driving the development of energy storage systems and V2G (vehicle-to-grid) technology and is a major copper demand driver. 

Energy transition metals miners posted strong results in June, with uranium mining equities leading the group. The U.S. is entering the early stages of a manufacturing supercycle driven by massive energy transition investment, which includes building a secure and resilient domestic EV battery supply chain. The U.S. and EU are likely to replace China as the primary drivers of future metals demand, as China's two-decades-long commodities dominance has likely crested.

Lithium and lithium miners staged a sharp rebound rally in May and were the positive exception among critical minerals. The sector was weighed down by China's faltering recovery, ongoing global growth concerns and the U.S. debt ceiling drama. China’s dominance in critical minerals poses risks to the West’s manufacturing base and national security, highlighting the need for onshoring and friend-shoring energy transition supply chains.

The long-term secular growth outlook for energy transition materials got several boosts in April, despite tepid performance for the month. Chile's decision to nationalize its lithium reserves reinforces the metal's role as a global strategic economic asset. M&A activity has heated up in the copper mining sector with lofty bids, including Glencore's $23 billion rejected offer for Teck Resources at a 20% premium.

Commodity prices weakened in March in reaction to financial system stress and recession fears. As deglobalization accelerates, unfettered access to critical minerals is not likely to last. The old system of free and fair access to commodities, including critical minerals, is moving toward one marked by interregional competition, and unstable availability and pricing. China has moved aggressively to acquire critical minerals in the past 20, but we believe the West has near-unmatched capabilities and is a formidable competitor.

As the world moves towards cleaner forms of energy to achieve net zero emissions targets, the critical minerals and metals needed to reach those goals are stepping into the limelight. Nickel is one of these critical minerals. It is essential for the batteries used in electric vehicles, which are becoming more popular by the day as vehicle manufacturers and consumers embrace the EV revolution and countries add incentives or build in legislation supporting their adoption.

February saw energy transition materials/critical minerals markets correct, but the secular story remains strong. As the global energy transition "arms race" heats up, the drive to secure supply is fast becoming more important than price. All signs indicate the 40-year bond bull market has likely ended and the next great secular bull market in commodities has begun.

We believe we are in the early stages of an energy transition materials secular bull market and favorable supply-demand dynamics are likely going forward. The upward revision in global growth, the timing effect of the China credit impulse and the surprise ending of China's zero-COVID policy have provided a tailwind for the metals market. For energy transition metals, we see this as a cyclical boost on top of the robust secular demand that is in play.