This book provides a comprehensive analysis of four waste streams expected to become relevant: Li-ion batteries for electric vehicles and energy storage systems, motors for electric vehicles, photovoltaic panels, and composite materials from wind turbines. The text examines the state-of-art of recovery technologies to extract valuable resources, addressing the increasing demand for critical and strategic raw materials. It provides an in-depth review of available recycling technologies, from mechanical methods, to hydrometallurgical and pyrometallurgical processes and chemical recovery. Each technology is discussed with its respective key features, strengths, and drawbacks, also from the environmental standpoint. A thorough evaluation of European regulatory frameworks for relevant end of life management is presented. The book also surveys the existing plant infrastructure in Europe, highlighting where treatment and recycling infrastructures are more developed and where instead there is the need to further expand the treatment capacity. The book offers a resource for policymakers, industry stakeholders, and researchers committed to developing a sustainable waste management for the energy transition.

Waste Management
Renewable energy
Energy transition
Electric Vehicle
Li-ion battery
Photovoltaic panel
Wind turbine blade

• Front Matter
• Introduction: Recycling to Support the Energy Transition
• Lithium-Ion Batteries
• Electric Motors
• Wind Turbine Blades
• Photovoltaic Panels

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, DICA, Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy
Mario Grosso, Lucia Rigamonti

Book Title
Waste Flows Generated by the Energy Transition

Book Subtitle
Regulatory Framework, Recovery Technologies and Plant Infrastructures

Editors
Mario Grosso, Lucia Rigamonti

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-88951-6

Softcover ISBN
978-3-031-88950-9
Published: 09 May 2025

eBook ISBN
978-3-031-88951-6
Published: 08 May 2025

Series ISSN
2191-530X

Series E-ISSN
2191-5318

Edition Number
1

Number of Pages
XI, 134

Number of Illustrations
7 b/w illustrations, 28 illustrations in colour

Topics
Renewable and Green Energy, Waste Management/Waste Technology, Energy Policy, Economics and Management