Sparton Resources Inc.

VRB Energy Reports on the Successful 10-Year Performance Review for Its Zhangbei 8Mwh Vanadium Flow Battery for the North China State Grid

TORONTO, Nov. 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sparton Resources (TSXV-SRI), (“Sparton” or “the Company”), is pleased to report today that VRB Energy Inc. reported through its China domestic website, on October 29, 2023, the successful 10-year performance review of its 8Mwh GEN1 vanadium flow battery installed at the North China State Grid Zhangbei Renewable Energy Generation and Storage Demonstration Site about 180 km north of Beijing PRC. Sparton owns a 90% interest in its subsidiary VanSpar Mining Inc. which in turn owns a 9.975% equity interest in VRB Energy Inc.

Figure 1: Zhangbei Offices

Technical and commercial representatives of VRB Energy and North China State Grid met at the Zhangbei site and carried out a complete positive review of the battery operations over time and discussed the parameters for upgrading the battery to GEN3 operating status.

Figure 2: Zhangbei Renewable Energy Demonstration Site

This is a major achievement for VRB Energy as the Zhangbei GEN1 VRB-ESS is the longest operating large scale vanadium flow battery system ever installed globally. It was installed in 2011 and successfully commissioned in early 2014. The battery has operated continuously since that time and contributed to the Zhangbei Project by supplying electricity to the Beijing Winter Olympics in 2022. It has met or exceeded all of its designed operating parameters since it began operation.

Commentary

“Sparton is delighted to see this major development in VRB Energy’s technical achievements, stated A. Lee Barker, Company CEO. We believe the successful long-term operation of the GEN1 Zhangbei system and its recognition by the North China State Grid show that vanadium redox flow batteries are competitive with lithium-ion batteries for grid scale, long duration energy storage applications, and clearly safer**. The GEN3 system also now has a UL1973 Safety Certification which will provide global acceptance of the GEN3 VRB-ESS system and provide VRB Energy with a very strong marketing tool for new business going forward.” (See Company News release dated August 31, 2023)