Renewable Rides

Gareth Evans & Dan Roberts

Renewable Rides is the guide to the corporate energy transition. Featuring interviews with industry experts and business leaders, Renewable Rides aims to help companies tackle challenges and maximize opportunities in the pursuit of a resilient, profitable, and thriving energy future. Hosts Gareth Evans and Dan Roberts, founders of VECKTA, shed light on the energy transition and the benefits it presents for company brand, operations and resilience.

  1. 5D AGO

    Ep 105: How Leading Commercial Real Estate Owners Are Building Million-Dollar Revenue Streams from Solar and Energy Storage

    What does it actually look like when a multifamily owner “becomes a utility”? In this episode, you’ll learn how developers and asset managers are using on-site solar and virtual net metering to create real value, not just sustainability headlines. We break down how a relatively modest investment can generate outsized returns, why lenders and investors are becoming more comfortable with these projects, and how rising utility rates are changing the economics. The conversation covers tenant perception, leasing team education, EV charging integration, and the operational realities of deploying solar at scale. If you’re a developer, owner, or investor trying to understand whether solar belongs in your portfolio — and how to do it right — this episode walks through the practical lessons learned from doing it repeatedly. What You’ll Learn in Today’s Episode: What it means for owners to “become a utility.”How VNM works at the resident level.Why utility rate spreads drive solar returns.How residents receive monthly energy savings.What lenders and investors care about most.How leasing teams use solar as a selling point.The importance of partner and contractor selection.Why education is key for tenants, lenders, and teams.Resources in Today's Episode: Mark Peternell: LinkedIn | Regency CentersStephan Gaspar: LinkedIn | KIRE BuildersLogan Carter: LinkedIn | Ivy EnergyDan Roberts: LinkedInVECKTA: NewsYou can view a video of the conversation on VECKTA's website here: https://tinyurl.com/yvue3n9w

    58 min

  2. JAN 27

    Top Moment from The Immense Savings Potential of Energy Efficiency with Josh Bachman of Cascade Energy

    In this highlight episode, Josh Bachman of Cascade Energy breaks down why energy efficiency isn’t just a sustainability or decarbonization conversation—it’s a serious financial opportunity that most organizations are overlooking. You’ll learn how energy waste shows up inside industrial and commercial operations, why leadership often underestimates its impact, and how small operational changes can deliver meaningful, measurable results. Listen in as we explore low- and no-cost operational improvements, the power of variable frequency drives (VFDs), and why energy efficiency must be treated as an ongoing program, not a one-off project. This conversation reframes energy from a background expense into a strategic lever for cost savings, resilience, and long-term performance. What You'll Learn In Today's Episode: Why energy efficiency is a financial issue, not just a sustainability one.How much energy waste typically exists in industrial facilities.What low- and no-cost efficiency measures really look like.How variable frequency drives dramatically reduce energy use.Why leadership buy-in determines program success.How demand response creates flexibility and savings.How organizations can turn waste reduction into a competitive advantage.Resources In Today's Episode: Josh Bachman: LinkedInCascade EnergyGareth Evans: LinkedInDan Roberts: LinkedInVECKTA: NewsYou can view a video of the conversation on VECKTA's website here: https://tinyurl.com/47xby9dv

    19 min

  3. JAN 20

    Ep 104: Understanding the ITC Phase-Out: Deadlines, Requirements, and Strategy

    What if waiting just a few more months could cost your company millions in lost tax credits? As 2026 begins, we break down why the Investment Tax Credit (ITC) has become one of the most urgent financial opportunities facing commercial energy projects today. With energy firmly in the mainstream, looming deadlines, and increasing complexity around compliance, this episode explains why “wait and see” is now the riskiest strategy of all. Listen in to learn exactly how the ITC works, how companies can offset up to 50% of project costs, and why safe harboring or beginning physical work before key deadlines can buy you years of flexibility. Whether you’re planning solar now or sometime in the next five years, this conversation will help you understand what action to take, when to take it, and how to protect the economics of your project before the window closes. What You’ll Learn in Today’s Episode: Why the ITC matters more in 2026 than ever before.How the ITC can offset 30–50% of project costs.The difference between safe harboring and physical work.Key ITC deadlines you can’t afford to miss.How safe harboring can unlock four extra years to build.Why waiting until “placed in service” is the riskiest path.What qualifies and doesn’t qualify as physical work.How ITC economics apply to PPAs, leases, and capex projects.The biggest mistakes companies are making right now.How disciplined execution protects millions in project value.Resources in Today's Episode: Gareth Evans: LinkedInDan Roberts: LinkedInVECKTA: NewsYou can view a video of the conversation on VECKTA's website here: https://tinyurl.com/mr38uyu7

    24 min

  4. JAN 13

    Top Moment from Winning Strategies for Clean Energy Leaders with Chris Moyer

    How can clean energy companies influence policy and gain political power in the U.S.? Chris Moyer explains why renewable energy leaders often lag behind oil and gas, and how they can strategically build influence without matching budgets. From grassroots advocacy to media training, he shares practical ways to engage elected officials, align employees as advocates, and communicate the value of your business. Chris also explores the energy landscape, from midterm elections to data center energy demand and rising costs. He offers actionable advice for leaders navigating energy transition roadmaps across multiple jurisdictions. Whether you run a commercial, industrial, or multi-location business, this episode shows how thoughtful communication and advocacy can shape policy and deliver real results. What You’ll Learn in Today’s Episode: Why renewable energy companies often lag behind oil and gas in policy influence.How to build political power without matching big budgets.Practical ways to engage elected officials and align employees as advocates.Strategies for communicating your business value across multiple jurisdictions.How energy trends and grassroots support impact business and policy outcomes.Resources in Today's Episode: Chris Moyer: LinkedInEcho Communications Advisors: Website | LinkedInGareth Evans: LinkedInDan Roberts: LinkedInVECKTA: NewsYou can view a video of the conversation on VECKTA's website here: https://tinyurl.com/2dzdfc3r

    11 min

  5. JAN 6

    Ep 103: 2026 Energy Predictions and 2025 Reflections with Bill Nussey

    What did we get right about energy in 2025 and where were we completely wrong? In this episode, Bill Nussey returns for the third time to reflect on last year’s predictions and unpack what actually played out across energy, infrastructure, and technology. Together, we look at geothermal’s breakout moment, the real progress with behind-the-meter batteries, and why some widely hyped trends didn’t materialize the way many expected. Listen in to learn how energy economics are reshaping decision-making, why batteries are becoming a foundational asset for resilience and cost control, and how AI, data centers, and electricity demand are colliding faster than the grid can handle. Bill also shares his predictions for 2026, including where investment is heading, why efficiency may matter more than generation, and what leaders should pay attention to as policy, capital, and technology continue to shift. What You’ll Learn in Today’s Episode: Why geothermal quietly became a breakout energy source.How behind-the-meter batteries changed resilience economics.What energy-as-a-service really unlocked for businesses.Why nuclear excitement didn’t match financial reality.How AI data centers are driving energy demand and risk.Why efficiency may matter more than new generation.What’s happening with state and utility incentives.How distributed energy assets reduce grid pressure.Why institutional capital is shifting toward smaller projects.What energy leaders should watch heading into 2026.Resources in Today's Episode: Bill Nussey: LinkedIn | X | Facebook | PodcastGareth Evans: LinkedInDan Roberts: LinkedInVECKTA: NewsYou can view a video of the conversation on VECKTA's website here: https://tinyurl.com/ydzmwtcd

    56 min

  6. 12/16/2025

    Top Moment from Our Talk with Ember’s Kingsmill Bond on Electrotech and Energy Security

    What if the biggest energy risk facing the world isn’t climate, but dependence? In this highlight episode, Kingsmill Bond joins the show to unpack why energy security has suddenly become one of the most urgent global issues. You’ll learn how decades of reliance on imported fossil fuels left much of the world exposed, why geopolitics has changed long-held assumptions about access to energy, and which regions are now most vulnerable to disruption. Listen in to hear why solar and wind fundamentally change the rules of energy dependence, how electrification can reduce fossil fuel imports, and why renewable technologies don’t create the same geopolitical risks as oil and gas. Kingsmill also explains why the global south may leapfrog traditional energy systems entirely and what this means for governments, industries, and long-term resilience. What You’ll Learn in Today’s Episode: How fossil fuel imports expose countries to geopolitical risk.Which regions are most vulnerable to energy disruption.Why renewables reduce dependence instead of shifting it.Why energy exporters hold disproportionate power.How energy independence affects national security.Resources in Today's Episode: Kingsmill Bond: Website | LinkedInEmber EnergyGareth Evans: LinkedInDan Roberts: LinkedInVECKTA: NewsYou can view a video of the conversation on VECKTA's website here: https://tinyurl.com/j9yw7y3s

    17 min

  7. 12/09/2025

    Ep 102: Power Market Dynamics with Author and Analyst Meredith Angwin

    What if the electric grid you rely on every single day is far more fragile than you think? In this episode, energy expert and author Meredith Angwin breaks down how our grid actually works and why the system behind it is more complicated, interdependent, and vulnerable than most people realize. Through her deep experience across nuclear, geothermal, and renewable systems, Meredith reveals the hidden mechanics of grid governance, how power plants get paid, why markets behave strangely during emergencies, and the real-world consequences of poor oversight. You’ll learn how renewables, natural gas, and nuclear interact on the grid, what happens when winter demand spikes, why “just in time” gas delivery can fail, and how subsidies and pricing structures distort the market. Meredith also explains the “fatal trifecta,” why operators sometimes can’t rely on neighbouring grids, and the surprising incentives that encourage volatility. What You’ll Learn in Today’s Episode: How grid governance actually works behind the scenes.Why nuclear energy is essential for baseload reliability.How renewables and natural gas interact on modern grids.What causes natural gas shortages during winter.Why neighbouring grids can’t always help during crises.How power plants get paid — and why the system encourages volatility.The role subsidies play in distorting energy markets.What the “fatal trifecta” is and why it matters.Why energy oversight is complicated but necessary.Practical ways to think about long-term grid reliability.Resources in Today's Episode: Meredith Angwin: LinkedIn | SubstackGareth Evans: LinkedInDan Roberts: LinkedInVECKTA: NewsYou can view a video of the conversation on VECKTA's website here: https://tinyurl.com/3nfphfcv

    46 min

  8. 12/02/2025

    Top Moment from Amory Lovins on Powering a Resilient Future

    What if the energy systems your business relies on today aren’t as secure or efficient as you think? In this highlight episode, we sit down with Amory Lovins, cofounder of RMI and a pioneer in integrative design, to explore how business leaders can leverage local microgrids, second-life EV batteries, and advanced efficiency strategies to cut costs, improve reliability, and future-proof operations. Listen in as we break down how smarter design, flexible usage, and modular storage can turn energy from a liability into a competitive advantage. From filling stations running independently of the grid to semiconductor plants saving millions through integrative design, you’ll learn practical approaches to make energy a source of profit rather than risk. What You’ll Learn in Today’s Episode: Local microgrids can reduce energy costs and improve resilience.Second-life EV batteries offer modular, profitable energy solutions.Flexible energy usage can unlock unused grid capacity.Advanced efficiency in design often beats building more supply.Strategic upgrades save millions and boost sustainability.Practical examples from utilities, factories, and vehicles illustrate these concepts.Resources in Today's Episode: Amory Lovins: RMIGareth Evans: LinkedInDan Roberts: LinkedInVECKTA: NewsYou can view a video of the conversation on VECKTA's website here: https://tinyurl.com/3sn284t5

    11 min
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5
out of 5
14 Ratings

About

Renewable Rides is the guide to the corporate energy transition. Featuring interviews with industry experts and business leaders, Renewable Rides aims to help companies tackle challenges and maximize opportunities in the pursuit of a resilient, profitable, and thriving energy future. Hosts Gareth Evans and Dan Roberts, founders of VECKTA, shed light on the energy transition and the benefits it presents for company brand, operations and resilience.

Information

  • Creator
    Gareth Evans & Dan Roberts
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    110
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Renewable Rides
  • Show Website
    Renewable Rides