Abstract

The Netherlands is aiming to mitigate climate change by reducing its emissions of CO2 and other greenhouse gases. One way to do this is by generating ‘renewable energy’, i.e. wind energy, hydroelectric energy, solar energy, geothermal energy and air source energy. However, the necessary materials and technologies may contain chemicals that are harmful to human health and the environment. Lead used in solders for solar panels and heavy metals used in batteries are two examples of this. Whether these substances are harmful depends on their properties and whether they are released into the environment.

According to RIVM, more information is needed about the extent to which hazardous substances, including substances that fulfill the criteria of Substances of Very High Concern (SVHCs), are being used. This information will make it easier to assess the potential risks associated with these substances. The reason why this matters is that the use of existing renewable energy resources, such as solar and wind energy, will increase in the coming years. This will go hand in hand with the development of new materials and technologies, such as the use of hydrogen and batteries as a means to store energy.

That is why RIVM has conducted an exploratory study into the energy technologies and materials that might contain SVHCs. While this did indeed turn out to be the case for some materials and technologies, there was a lack of information about others. It is therefore possible that more SVHCs are being used, but this is currently unclear. At present, many materials and technologies come from outside of the Netherlands.

RIVM believes it is important to identify the potential risks of new materials at an early stage, before they are taken into use. Examples to which this applies include hydrogen carriers and advanced materials. It is equally important that materials that can no longer be used can be processed or recycled safely. To that end, information is needed about the composition of these materials. Competent authorities, for instance, will need to know whether they contain hazardous substances, including SVHCs.

Many parties involved have already taken steps to obtain a more complete overview of the environmental risks posed by such technologies as wind turbines and solar panels. This will create opportunities to devote more attention to the use of SVHCs throughout the chain and their replacement with safer alternatives where possible.