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Geothermal vs. AI Energy Crisis: Can Superhot Rock Power Data Centers in 2026?

The Geothermal-AI Energy Revolution: How Superhot Rock Could Power the World’s Data Centers By : Robert Buluma   The rapid rise of artificial intelligence is creating an unprecedented demand for electricity, pushing the world's data centers to their limits. To meet this 24/7 power requirement without derailing climate goals, the tech industry is turning to an unlikely source: the boundless heat beneath our feet. A new generation of "superhot rock" geothermal technologies is emerging as a potential solution, combining drilling innovations with the unrelenting computing power of AI itself. ⚡ The AI Energy Challenge: Why Solar and Wind Fall Short The explosive growth of artificial intelligence is creating an unprecedented energy crunch. By 2030, AI infrastructure could consume between 210 and 1,540 TWh annually, equivalent to the entire electricity consumption of some major countries. Hyperscale data centers in the US alone are expected to demand 15-17 GW of new capacity, a ...
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"Revolutionizing the Future of Sustainable Transport: PUNCH Group Secures €40m in Funding to Optimize Hydrogen Engine Technology"

 



image source:(unsplash.com-Precious Madubuike)

The PUNCH Group, a Belgian-based leader in the design of propulsion and control systems for hybrid and electric vehicles, has been bestowed a generous €40m grant from the European Investment Bank (EIB) to further advance its cutting-edge hydrogen engine technology and hasten the transition to zero-emission transport. This substantial investment will empower the company to enhance the capabilities of its hydrogen engine, enabling it to conduct research, development, and innovation activities at its headquarters in Turin, Italy and Strasbourg, France.


Guido Dumarey, the founder, owner, and CEO of the PUNCH Group, remarked on the significance of this funding, stating, "The EIB's support will be a crucial element in realizing our vision of sustainable mobility for all. We aim to expand our technological expertise in the field of electric and hydrogen propulsion, and we believe in the immense potential of hydrogen engines, particularly for heavier or commercial vehicles, off-road vehicles, and the marine sector."


PUNCH Torino, established in 2005 as the Engineering and Development Centre of General Motors, and has been a leading facility for propulsion and mobility systems since 2020, and PUNCH Hydrocells, a subsidiary of the company, is actively working to advance the hydrogen engine, with experience in converting diesel engines to run on hydrogen. This hydrogen engine expertise is now supported by sizeable funding to accelerate the transition to sustainable transport.


Gelsomina Vigliotti, the EIB Vice-President, further explained, "Operations such as this one with the PUNCH Group are vital in promoting the decarbonization of the automotive, industrial and commercial vehicle sectors through the development of innovative solutions such as hydrogen, fuel-cell, and electric engines. The EIB, as the EU climate bank, plays a significant role in transforming mobility and moving it towards a low-carbon future."


The funding, which is backed by a guarantee from the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI), the main pillar of the Investment Plan for Europe, will be utilized by PUNCH to design novel hydrogen engine technologies and energy storage systems (hydrogen fuel cells) for the automotive, commercial, and industrial vehicle sectors, aligning with the Paris Agreement and the EIB's transport sector financing policy. Advancing the hydrogen engine could be crucial to achieving net-zero goals across Europe.


Paolo Gentiloni, the European Commissioner for Economy, concluded, "Investing in technologies that promote sustainable mobility is essential to reaching our climate objectives. So it is great news that the EIB, backed by the Investment Plan for Europe, will provide this financing for the development of technologies for hydrogen engines for commercial and industrial vehicles in Italy and France. This will create jobs and support the development of innovative green technologies for the benefit of all Europeans."

source:innovationnewsnetwork.com

#Hydrogen #EVS #Cleanpower #Punchgroup #Innovation #Hydrogenengine



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