On April 13th, 2021 Robert Friedland gave the keynote address to the CRU World Copper Conference and provided his insight into the evolving need for copper as the world transitions from fossil fuel power generation to cleaner, lower carbon emissions forms of renewable energy. At several points in his presentation Mr. Friedland stressed the need for energy storage systems, including large grid scale battery installations to support such things as solar and wind power stations with discontinuous power output. Clearly there will be a significant copper demand for use in these batteries as they become widely employed.

In the past few months, companies affiliated with Mr. Friedland have raised over US$1 Billion for mining projects and technology businesses related to clean energy production and energy storage. Sparton Resources Inc. (SRI-V) holds a minority interest in the world’s leading Vanadium Flow Battery Company, VRB Energy.  The majority owner of VRB is HPX (High Power Exploration), one of the companies affiliated with Mr. Friedland. 

VRB and its partners are currently involved in building China’s largest integrated solar electricity generation and battery storage system.  VRB will start construction in May 2021, of a “Gigafactory”, designed to produce 1,000MW per year.

In a VRB News Release issued on March 15th, 2021, Mr. Friedland stated: “This project is a massive catalyst for VRB Energy’s global growth and further demonstrates that we are developing the absolute best technologies to support the worldwide green energy revolution,”

“China wants to install over 1,000 gigawatts (GW) of new solar PV and wind power by 2030 and they are not alone in the commitment to decarbonization and the ‘greening’ of their power grids; with both the U.S. and the European Union prioritizing renewable power solutions. Energy storage remains a key challenge in the mass adoption of renewable energy, and we’re extremely proud to be leading the way in creating cutting-edge solutions at VRB,” Mr. Friedland added.

Mr. Friedland’s Presentation on April 13 is highlighted below courtesy of Ivanhoe Mines Ltd.