Q&A with Greenbuddies: Jitka, Emin a František

Successful renewable energy projects require cooperation between many different professions – project managers, engineers, procurement specialists, development teams, energy flexibility experts and many other Buddies working both in our offices and on project sites.

Meet Jitka from the Development team, Emin from Project Management and František from the Aggregation and Flexibility Optimization team.

Jitka Petlachová – Development Buddy

1. What project are you currently working on? What makes it interesting?

The biggest thing currently happening in our Development team is receiving the very first building permit for a project developed entirely by us. If everything goes according to plan, in a few months there will be a photovoltaic power plant with a battery energy storage system standing on “our” land. A project that GreenBuddies developed together with Langa, will build, and maybe even operate in the future. Fingers crossed for us!

2. How do you think the world of photovoltaics will change in the next five years?

I would like to believe that over the next five years, photovoltaics will overcome many of the prejudices surrounding it. I hope people will understand that solar energy is not something harmful that simply takes away valuable agricultural land. We are increasingly looking for meaningful locations for solar installations – such as industrial buildings, parking areas, former landfills or less productive land where these installations can support biodiversity by creating safe spaces for smaller animals and plants.

These areas can become places that are no longer intensively fertilized or treated with chemicals just to extract some production from poor-quality land, while at the same time providing clean renewable energy. I see great potential in agrivoltaics, which I strongly support. It may take more than five years for it to become widely understood and adopted, but I believe its time will come soon.

3. What do you do when you are not working?

When I am not working, I escape into nature. Mountains, meadows, forests, silence and peace. Time loses its importance and I can simply be.

Emin Džomba – Project Manager

1. What is your position and what does your work look like?

My name is Emin and I work as a Project Manager at GreenBuddies. The main goal of our work is to bring projects to life and oversee the entire process from the moment we take over a project until its final completion. This process can take a long time and includes many different activities – from procurement and engineering, through site mobilization and construction, all the way to project handover and final site cleanup.

However, we are never alone in this process. We can always rely on the support of our internal engineering and procurement teams, who help us solve challenges quickly and make our work much easier. A large part of our work is also coordinating site managers. They are our right hand on construction sites and help us successfully complete and hand over projects.

2. How did you join GreenBuddies?

Before joining GreenBuddies, I lived in Bosnia and Herzegovina, where I come from. When I was looking for opportunities in the EU, I found a GreenBuddies job opening and applied without expecting too much. After the selection process, I was invited to the first interview. A few weeks later there was another interview, and afterwards it was clear for both sides that we wanted to work together. That was the beginning of my GreenBuddies journey – and it continues today.

3. Which projects are you currently working on?

Currently, I am working on a BESS project as well as several EPC photovoltaic projects. The BESS project is especially interesting because it gives us valuable experience with new technologies. It is fascinating to see the cooperation between all involved parties and how BESS technology integrates into the electricity grid and responds to its requirements. The project is now approaching completion and all major components have already been installed. We really enjoyed delivering this project and are looking forward to similar challenges in the future.

EPC solar projects bring similar challenges. One of the most interesting parts is coordinating deliveries and construction activities while managing all involved parties. I enjoy these projects because every one of them has its own challenges and requires patience, communication and an individual approach. No two projects are exactly the same. The biggest satisfaction comes from successfully completed projects, satisfied clients and strong partnerships.

4. What do you do when you are not working?

I try to spend most of my free time and holidays travelling. I like returning to my hometown in Bosnia and Herzegovina and spending time with my family and friends. During holidays, we usually travel somewhere warm where we can enjoy the sun and the sea. In my free time, I also enjoy outdoor barbecues and playing sports. When the weather gets colder, I spend more time playing computer games, watching series and movies or playing board games with friends.

František Vodsloň – BESS Flexibility Buddy

1. What is your position and what does your work look like?

I am a BESS Flexibility Buddy and part of the GreenBuddies Solutions team. We operate and aggregate energy assets. Despite the name of my position, my work is not only about batteries. We also work with biogas plants, wind turbines and essentially anything that can shift, store or supply energy when the market needs it. I mainly focus on the technical side of our platform for controlling and optimizing these assets – the software that decides what each device should do at a given moment and ensures that it actually happens.

2. What interesting projects have you worked on during your career?

Before moving into energy, I spent many years in IT and worked in a wide range of environments – from multinational corporations to medium-sized Czech companies and several unusual side projects. At PrusaLab, I built hardware prototypes. In Malaysia, I programmed an industrial egg-sorting line and developed a prediction system for off-grid security camera installations.

3. What would you do if you were not at GreenBuddies?

I would probably work as a freelancer solving complex IT problems for other companies. Or I would teach. Or I would replace my keyboard with a hammer and build wooden houses. And maybe I would become a professional musician.

4. How did your GreenBuddies story begin?

I remember it very clearly. It was ten years ago when my brother, the founder of GreenBuddies and former CEO, asked me to create a logo and website for his brand-new startup. I happily agreed. The logo took me about ten minutes in an online generator and eventually stayed with the company for several years before being replaced by the yellow dot.

Frequently Asked Questions

What professions contribute to photovoltaic projects?

PV projects involve many specialists, including project managers, engineers, procurement specialists, site managers, construction experts and professionals focused on operations and optimization.

Why is project management important for PV and BESS projects?

Large energy projects combine multiple suppliers, technologies and processes. Effective coordination is essential to maintain quality, timelines and technical requirements.

What does the GreenBuddies Solutions team do?

GreenBuddies Solutions focuses on operating and optimizing energy assets, including battery storage systems, through flexibility services and intelligent energy management.