In this episode, we explored artificial intelligence as an \u201cenergy monster\u201d and the global state of green innovation in the shadow of the technological boom. Zsolt Jamniczky and Katalin Szomol\u00e1nyi discussed the growing social resistance to the construction of new data centers due to their massive water and electricity consumption, how Asia has overtaken European markets with electric vehicles that can be charged in just 4 minutes and with gigantic solar power plants, and what obstacles the wind and solar energy sectors are currently facing in Hungary, with particular regard to new agrivoltaic investments.<\/p>\n
An episode about the tensions between digitalization and climate neutrality, the reasons behind Europe\u2019s lag in green innovation, and why decades-long, cross-sector corporate partnerships provide the most reliable foundation for the energy transition.<\/p>\n
SZK
\nLet\u2019s start with the growing energy and water demand of artificial intelligence. How prepared is the energy sector today to meet this suddenly surging, exponential demand?<\/p>\n
JZS
\nThe short answer is: not at all. There is no structured response to this challenge, and due to the ever-increasing energy demand, social acceptance is also becoming a serious obstacle. For example, a German city has already banned the construction of a data center because of environmental concerns and the required expansion of the energy grid.<\/p>\n
SZK
\nBy 2030, the water demand of data centers could reach 1.2 billion cubic meters, roughly equivalent to the annual consumption of a city with 7.5 million inhabitants. Meanwhile, Elon Musk has even suggested that, due to the enormous cooling needs, these energy-hungry centers should be moved into space. Is this feasible, or just a dream?<\/p>\n
JZS
\nAs for Musk\u2019s idea, he is known for thinking big, but for now this belongs more to the realm of science fiction. Even if we could move them into space for better cooling, transmitting such massive amounts of data back to Earth would be an incredibly complex and almost unsolvable challenge. You simply cannot broadcast that volume of data via Wi-Fi.<\/p>\n
SZK
\nLet\u2019s turn to China. What green innovation and mobility developments did you see there that Europe could learn from?<\/p>\n
JZS
\nThe most important difference is consistent planning and strict execution. In Shenzhen, for example\u2014unlike the suffocating smog of the past\u2014almost every vehicle is now electric, from scooters to buses, and the air is clean again. They have built charging hubs where 150 cars can be charged simultaneously with the help of robots, and there are already vehicles that can be charged with enough energy for 100 kilometers in just 4 minutes. In addition, they are building gigantic 1 GW pumped storage facilities and 40 GW offshore solar power plants. Europe can only dream of such technologies and capacities for now, so it would be wise to abandon the belief that they are copying us. What they have already successfully achieved could often be replicated more easily and cheaply than developing everything from scratch.<\/p>\n
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ZSOLT JAMNICZKY
\nHe began his career at the Foreign Affairs Office of the Hungarian Parliament, then from 1996 held leadership positions for more than a decade in Budapest, Brussels, and Zagreb.
\nHe joined E.ON Hung\u00e1ria in 2007 and has been Deputy CEO since 2010. His responsibilities include energy markets, sales, customer solutions, and brand management.
\nHe is actively involved in professional organizations related to energy and sustainability, serving on the boards of Eurelectric and the Business Council for Sustainable Development in Hungary.
\nHe has played a key role in advancing e-mobility, developing charging networks, and implementing the Szolnok Smart City Energy Model.
\nHis work has been recognized with the Knight\u2019s Cross of the Hungarian Order of Merit and the \u201cManager of the Year for an Environmentally Conscious Economy\u201d award.<\/p>\n
SZK
\nLet\u2019s return to Hungary. We are doing well in solar energy utilization, but why are agrivoltaic systems\u2014combining agriculture and energy production\u2014spreading so slowly?<\/p>\n
JZS
\nThere are several reasons. First, regulatory anomalies make investments difficult; administratively, it is currently hard to register the dual use of land. Second, construction costs are much higher because the panels must be installed at a greater height, requiring more robust and expensive structures. This is also necessary due to extreme weather; last July\u2019s 160 km\/h windstorm in Debrecen caused serious damage even to conventional ground-mounted power plants. Third, 80\u201390% of these projects are financed by banks, which still need to learn how to price the new types of risks associated with agrivoltaic technology.<\/p>\n
SZK
\nYou previously stated that green hydrogen is currently not cost-effective. Where do we stand today, and when might this change?<\/p>\n
JZS
\nI stand by my earlier view: it may become broadly viable in the second half of the 2030s. Right now, the numbers simply don\u2019t add up. Electrolysis is extremely energy-intensive, the equipment is expensive, and hydrogen transport is also highly complex. Only so-called \u201consite\u201d or \u201cnear-site\u201d solutions seem rational, where production and use occur in the same location, avoiding transport costs. Currently, Japan and Australia are taking this more seriously, where energy constraints and economic conditions justify it. But as I often say about expensive innovations: \u201cbelieving is not enough.\u201d<\/p>\n
SZK
\nYou mentioned that individual commitments are not always sufficient. What good practices and partnerships do you see in the corporate sector where industries collaborate?<\/p>\n
JZS
\nThe real breakthrough comes from long-term, cross-sector collaborations. A great example is our partnership with BMW. In Germany, we recently launched a joint project where E.ON manages electricity generated from bidirectional smart charging\u2014meaning surplus energy fed back into the grid from vehicle batteries. In Hungary, we are building a 43 MW solar power plant at their Debrecen factory, on the ground, walls, and rooftops. What makes this cooperation special is that it is a 30-year partnership, where we invest in and operate the system. This completely removes the energy and maintenance burden from our partner, which requires a high level of mutual trust.<\/p>\n
The full conversation is available to watch on our YouTube channel and can be listened to on Spotify.<\/p>\n