Renewable Rides

Gareth Evans & Dan Roberts
  • 5.0 (14)
  • BUSINESS
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

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. 1D AGO

    Top Moment from One AI Platform for All 50 States - Making Sense of Energy Utility Filings with Halcyon Co-Founder Nat Bullard

    What happens when energy demand grows faster than the system can handle? In this highlight episode, Nat Bullard breaks down the unique moment we’re in—where surging demand from data centers, industrial players, and electrification is colliding with infrastructure bottlenecks, policy uncertainty, and rising costs. Listen in to learn how different industries experience energy costs in completely different ways, why availability is becoming more critical than price for some players, and how innovation, new business models, and behind-the-meter solutions are emerging in response. Nat also explores the impact of policy instability, supply chain challenges, and global market dynamics, as well as what it all means for the future of renewable energy, grid reliability, and business decision-making. What You’ll Learn in Today’s Episode: Why energy demand is growing at historic levels.How data centers are reshaping electricity needs.The difference between energy cost vs availability.Why interconnection queues are slowing progress.How policy uncertainty impacts energy investment.The role of innovation during high-cost periods.Why renewable developers are highly resilient.How businesses are rethinking energy as a resource.The challenges of scaling domestic energy production.The biggest barrier to progress.Resources in Today's Episode: Nat Bullard: LinkedIn | X | WebsiteHalcyonGareth Evans: LinkedInDan Roberts: LinkedInVECKTA: NewsYou can view a video of the conversation on VECKTA's website here: https://tinyurl.com/4dvzhhuf

    20 min

  2. MAR 31

    Ep 109: Why Solar and Battery Storage Systems Rarely Benefit from Waiting

    What is the real cost of waiting to install solar and battery systems for your business? In this episode, we break down one of the most common questions companies ask: should we deploy on-site energy now, or wait for technology to get cheaper and more efficient? You’ll learn why waiting for better solar panels or cheaper batteries often doesn’t make financial sense, how incentives and tax credits change the economics dramatically, and the real cost of inaction when organizations delay projects internally. We also discuss energy market volatility, rising utility costs, and why more businesses are starting to treat their buildings like power plants instead of just facilities that consume energy. What You’ll Learn in Today’s Episode: Why waiting for better solar technology often costs more than acting now.How utility savings outweigh future efficiency improvements.The real financial impact of delaying energy projects.How solar + battery projects are evaluated financially.Why incentives and tax credits can make or break project returns.The hidden cost of organizational indecision.How rising energy prices change project economics.Why businesses should treat buildings like power plants.The risk of relying solely on centralized energy systems.How to evaluate whether an on-site energy project makes sense.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/mwhd6ukr

    26 min

  3. MAR 24

    Top Moment from Selling Solar Tax Credits: Pricing, Timing, and Deal Structuring with Basis Climate and Conductor Solar

    Ever wondered how businesses can turn tax credits from renewable energy projects into immediate cash? In this highlight episode, Erik Underwood, Co-Founder and CEO of Basis Climate, and James Coombes, VP of Business Development at Conductor Solar, break down the complex world of tax credit transfers. They explain why selling tax credits can make sense for both small and large projects, how the process works under the IRA, and what safeguards and registration steps the IRS requires. You'll also learn the practical side of making these deals work. Erik and James discuss pricing, transaction costs, underwriting requirements, and strategies for maximizing cash flow from energy projects. Whether you're a business owner exploring solar installations or an investor looking to understand the nuances of tax credit transactions, this episode gives you actionable insights to navigate the market with confidence. What You’ll Learn in Today’s Episode: Basics of tax credit transfers.How tax credits create cash flow.Small vs. large project differences.Pricing and discount strategies.Transaction costs to expect.IRS registration process.Required documentation for buyers.Timing considerations for projects.Maximizing net present value of credits.Resources in Today's Episode: Erik Underwood: LinkedInJames Coombes: LinkedInDan Roberts: LinkedInVECKTA: NewsYou can view a video of the conversation on VECKTA's website here: https://tinyurl.com/446z7ctp

    16 min

  4. MAR 17

    Ep 108: Examining the Ratepayer Protection Pledge and the Case for Distributed Generation

    What happens when the AI boom collides with the limits of the U.S. power grid? In this episode, we break down the White House’s new ratepayer protection pledge, designed to prevent households and businesses from subsidizing hyperscale data centers. Beyond the headlines, this episode explores the deeper infrastructure challenges: from stressed grids and rising electricity prices to the slow, capital-intensive process of building generation, transmission, and storage. We also discuss the future of energy infrastructure, highlighting how distributed, localized power systems—paired with edge AI computing—could unlock capacity faster, reduce grid strain, and improve resilience. Listeners will learn about the political and operational realities behind large data centers, why centralization alone can’t solve the problem, and how commercial and industrial property owners can view energy infrastructure as a strategic asset. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in AI, clean energy, and the evolution of our power systems. What You’ll Learn in Today’s Episode: The goals and limits of the ratepayer protection pledge.How hyperscale AI loads impact grid stability and electricity costs.Why centralized infrastructure upgrades alone are insufficient.The concept of distributed and behind-the-meter power systems.Edge AI computing vs centralized data centers.Opportunities for commercial and industrial property owners.Political implications of electricity costs on elections.How communities can support AI growth responsibly.Strategies to unlock existing infrastructure capacity.The importance of coordinating energy and compute design.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/3bnkj5vj

    26 min

  5. MAR 10

    Top Moment from 2026 Energy Predictions and 2025 Reflections with Bill Nussey

    Is the massive AI data centre build-out solving tomorrow’s problems or creating new ones? In this highlight episode, we explore one of the most pressing questions at the intersection of energy, technology, and infrastructure: whether today’s AI-driven demand for power is sustainable, overstated, or heading toward a major correction. You’ll learn how behind-the-meter energy systems, distributed batteries, and on-site generation could reshape the grid and why many companies are now “re-underwriting” their existing solar and energy assets to unlock more value. We also unpack the risks of an AI data centre bubble, how power demand may collapse faster than expected due to efficiency gains, and what this could mean for utilities, property owners, investors, and the broader economy.  What You’ll Learn in Today’s Episode: Why behind-the-meter energy matters more than people think.How batteries can relieve grid constraints.How AI data centers are driving energy narratives.Why AI power demand may be overstated.How efficiency gains could collapse grid demand.The risk of stranded data center assets.Lessons from past infrastructure bubbles.Why distributed energy could win long term.Resources in Today's Episode: Bill Nussey: LinkedIn | X | Facebook | PodcastFreeing Energy: How Innovators Are Using Local-scale Solar and Batteries to Disrupt the Global Energy Industry from the Outside by Bill NusseyGareth Evans: LinkedInDan Roberts: LinkedInVECKTA: NewsYou can view a video of the conversation on VECKTA's website here: https://tinyurl.com/3t57e3bh

    17 min

  6. MAR 3

    Ep 107: Market Maturation Moment as Behind-the-Meter Becomes Real Infrastructure

    Is the behind-the-meter energy market finally growing up? In this episode, we break down a major shift happening across the U.S. as states like New Mexico, Oregon, Colorado, and Illinois move from simply allowing onsite energy systems to regulating how they perform. Microgrids, batteries, and distributed energy resources are being treated as real infrastructure, complete with reporting requirements, performance standards, dispatch rules, and bankable revenue structures. Listen in to hear how different states are approaching this transition, what performance-based regulation means for business leaders, how battery incentives are evolving into revenue programs, and why policy should now be treated as a design input—not an afterthought. If you’re responsible for cost resilience, capital planning, or long-term energy strategy, you'll learn where the market is heading and how to position yourself to win. What You’ll Learn in Today’s Episode: Why behind-the-meter energy is entering a new phase.How New Mexico is regulating large microgrids.Oregon’s framework for valuing grid services.Colorado’s grid flexibility strategy.Illinois’ battery incentive and dispatch model.What “bankable revenue design” really means.Why capital prefers stable regulatory environments.How distributed energy is reshaping load forecasts.Practical steps business leaders should take now.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/ykfef9fz

    28 min

  7. FEB 24

    Top Moment from Onsite Energy as a Profit Center for Commercial Real Estate Owners - Our Talk with Brendan Wallace, Fifth Wall CEO and CIO

    What will it really take to decarbonize real estate and who is going to pay for it? In this highlight episode, Brendan Wallace breaks down the staggering $18 trillion challenge of decarbonizing U.S. buildings and why the real estate industry must fundamentally rethink its role. You’ll learn why buildings are being forced to evolve from passive structures into active energy producers — generating, storing, and monetizing power. We also explore why less than 3% of buildings have onsite solar, what’s really holding adoption back, and how capital markets, regulation, and tenant demand are reshaping owner behavior. You’ll hear why sustainability is shifting from a “nice to have” to a cost-of-capital advantage, how energy efficiency impacts asset value, and why the landlords who embrace this shift early could unlock massive long-term profitability. What You'll Learn In Today's Episode: The true cost of decarbonizing U.S. real estate.How climate capital in real estate has scaled.Why buildings must act as distributed energy assets.What’s blocking widespread rooftop solar adoption.The role of EV charging, storage, and microgrids.How regulation is forcing owner action.Why energy efficiency improves cost of capital.How tenant demand drives sustainability decisions.Where future competitive advantage will emerge.Resources In Today's Episode: Brendan Wallace: LinkedInGareth Evans: LinkedInDan Roberts: LinkedInVECKTA: News You can view a video of the conversation on VECKTA's website here: https://tinyurl.com/48yckdct

    16 min

  8. FEB 17

    Ep 106: Selling Solar Tax Credits: Pricing, Timing, and Deal Structuring with Basis Climate and Conductor Solar

    What if your renewable energy tax credits could turn into immediate cash instead of sitting on your balance sheet for years? In this episode, Erik Underwood, Co-Founder and CEO of Basis Climate, and James Coombes, VP of Business Development at Conductor Solar, break down how tax credit transfers are reshaping renewable energy finance and why more developers, businesses, and REITs are choosing to sell their credits instead of carrying them forward. You’ll learn how the Inflation Reduction Act opened the door to simplified credit transfers, how pricing typically works (including discounts and transaction costs), and why timing can dramatically impact the value of your deal. We also explore what buyers look for in underwriting, the risks around recapture and IRS compliance, how small and mid-sized credits differ from large utility-scale transactions, and when it makes sense to sell versus retain credits. What You’ll Learn in Today’s Episode: What a tax credit transfer actually is.How the IRA changed clean energy finance.Why businesses sell credits instead of keeping them.How transaction costs impact net proceeds.IRS registration requirements and timing rules.What underwriting buyers require.Recapture risk and indemnification basics.Minimum credit sizes that make sense to transact.How REITs structure tax credit sales.Resources in Today's Episode: Erik Underwood: LinkedInJames Coombes: LinkedInDan Roberts: LinkedInVECKTA: NewsYou can view a video of the conversation on VECKTA's website here: https://tinyurl.com/3brvzx2h

    52 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
    119
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Renewable Rides
  • Show Website
    Renewable Rides

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