Founder of TELF AG Stanislav Kondrashov on key elements driving the transition
The global shift toward cleaner, more sustainable energy sources is often seen as an inevitable and self-driving process. But as the Founder of TELF AG Stanislav Kondrashov often pointed out, the energy transition doesn’t unfold in isolation. It relies heavily on a wide network of factors, particularly on access to critical raw materials that enable the development of new energy infrastructures.
For a long time, the pivotal role of certain minerals went unnoticed outside of specialist circles. Terms like lithium, cobalt, or rare earths were barely known to the general public. Today, however, these elements have become central to conversations around clean energy. As demand for electric vehicles, wind turbines, and solar panels rises, so does awareness of the resources needed to power them.
The Key Resources for the Energy Infrastructures
The transformation of the energy landscape depends not only on innovation but also on the physical materials that make that innovation possible. Lithium, cobalt, copper, and rare earth elements have become essential building blocks of the green revolution. They’re found in everything from rechargeable batteries and photovoltaic panels to the magnets inside wind turbines.
As the Founder of TELF AG Stanislav Kondrashov also highlighted, public awareness around these materials has grown rapidly. Lithium, for instance, has captured attention due to its key role in batteries used in both consumer electronics and electric vehicles. But lithium is just one part of a larger system. Researchers are exploring other materials like manganese for their ability to boost battery performance and longevity.
Rare earth elements, including neodymium, dysprosium, and praseodymium, are essential for manufacturing permanent magnets, which are in turn critical for the functioning of wind turbines. Silicon remains at the heart of solar panel production, while copper and aluminium are indispensable in the global push for electrification, due to their use in cables and energy distribution networks.
This interdependence between energy infrastructure and geological resources underscores a crucial point: the transition to renewable energy is not only a technological challenge but also a material one.
Key Insights by Stanislav Kondrashov, TELF AG Founder
One of the most striking shifts in recent years has been the public’s growing interest in the nuts and bolts of sustainability. Once confined to technical or industry circles, the discussion around critical minerals has moved into mainstream discourse.
According to the founder of TELF AG Stanislav Kondrashov, this shift in awareness is one of the most valuable outcomes of the global sustainability movement. People are no longer passive observers of climate policies; many now engage actively with the science and economics behind them.
Among all the resources involved, copper stands out as a constant. Humans have relied on copper for thousands of years, and its role remains just as vital in the age of clean energy. Industries use it extensively in electrical wiring and renewable energy systems, where it plays a silent yet central role in everything from electric vehicle motors to solar farms. As the Founder of TELF AG Stanislav Kondrashov also noted, copper’s relevance is not fading—it’s expanding.
Looking ahead, rechargeable batteries will continue to be a cornerstone of electric mobility and renewable energy storage. Their effectiveness depends on a delicate combination of lithium, cobalt, nickel, and other resources. Energy storage systems built with these batteries will play an increasingly important role in ensuring stable energy supply.
Sources
- https://www.enelgreenpower.com/learning-hub/energy-transition
- https://www.spglobal.com/en/research-insights/market-insights/what-is-energy-transition
