Renewable Rides

What happens when energy and sustainability stop being “nice-to-have” initiatives and become a core part of business strategy? In this episode, Ryan Knudson, Vice President of Energy and Sustainability at Phillips Edison, shares how Phillips Edison is approaching energy and sustainability as a way to manage rising utility costs, protect tenants from future energy headwinds, and create long-term value for shopping centers and the communities they serve.

Listen in as Ryan breaks down the biggest opportunities and challenges facing commercial real estate, from the “triangle of death” between landlords, tenants, and developers to the changing role of utilities and the growing impact of AI and data centers on energy demand. You’ll discover the four potential value streams for distributed energy, as well as how to get internal stakeholders behind sustainability initiatives. Ryan also talks about what could be an overlooked opportunity for reducing grid demand and his vision for a future where energy and sustainability are simply embedded into everyday business decisions.

What You’ll Learn in Today’s Episode:

• Why Ryan sees business as a force for positive change.
• Why community is central to Phillips Edison’s strategy.
• How Phillips Edison built its energy and sustainability program.
• Why rising utility costs are a growing real estate risk.
• How AI and data centers could reshape energy markets.
• Why the landlord-tenant-developer “triangle of death” matters.
• The four value streams for distributed energy.
• How Phillips Edison is scaling its renewable energy strategy.
• Why energy and sustainability must become everyday business.

Resources in Today's Episode:

• Ryan Knudson: LinkedIn
• Gareth Evans: LinkedIn
• Dan Roberts: LinkedIn
• VECKTA: News

You can view a video of the conversation on VECKTA's website here: https://tinyurl.com/ywturyz2 

What happens when AI's demand for electricity grows faster than the grid can keep up? In this highlight episode, we unpack the growing pressure AI data centers are placing on power infrastructure, from rising electricity prices and political backlash to lengthy transmission queues, generation bottlenecks, and the limits of simply building more centralized infrastructure.

Listen in to learn what the recent White House pledge to protect ratepayers actually means, why paying for infrastructure doesn’t necessarily make it appear faster, and why the AI boom is turning electricity from an invisible utility into a boardroom and political issue. You'll hear about the immediate grid strain, as well as a different model for powering AI. We also discuss why training and inference have very different energy requirements, how distributed and edge computing could change where AI infrastructure is located, and how commercial and industrial buildings could become part of the energy solution.

What You’ll Learn in Today’s Episode:

• Why AI is putting unprecedented pressure on the electricity grid.
• How data centers are affecting electricity prices and politics.
• Why funding infrastructure doesn't solve physical bottlenecks.
• The limitations of relying on centralized grid expansion.
• Why AI data centers need reliability and power certainty.
• How training and inference have different energy needs.
• Why edge inference could support more distributed AI infrastructure.
• How existing commercial buildings could unlock hidden capacity.
• What “enabled capacity” means for property owners.
• What AI, energy, and infrastructure leaders should consider next.

Resources in Today's Episode:

• Gareth Evans: LinkedIn
• Dan Roberts: LinkedIn
• VECKTA: News

You can view a video of the conversation on VECKTA's website here: https://tinyurl.com/4haeunym 

What if your business could take control of its energy future instead of waiting for the grid to decide your costs and reliability? In this episode, we explore why businesses are increasingly vulnerable to rising energy prices, grid constraints, and growing demand from industries such as AI and data centers. We also discuss how energy is shifting from a simple operational expense into a strategic business decision, and why companies that invest in onsite energy systems could gain a major competitive advantage.

Listen in to learn why buying an onsite energy system is about much more than getting multiple quotes or choosing the lowest-cost option. You'll hear the four critical steps businesses need to take before approaching suppliers, real-world examples of businesses that improved their energy economics by changing their buying approach, and why the future belongs to organizations that become price makers rather than price takers.

What You’ll Learn in Today’s Episode:

• Why grid reliability is becoming a business risk.
• How energy is becoming a strategic advantage.
• Why businesses should become price makers.
• The hidden costs behind onsite energy projects.
• How to define your energy goals first.
• Why the right system matters more than more bids.
• How data improves supplier outcomes.
• Tips for choosing the right commercial model.
• How to attract better suppliers.
• Why onsite energy is the future.

Resources in Today's Episode:

• Gareth Evans: LinkedIn
• Dan Roberts: LinkedIn
• VECKTA: News

You can view a video of the conversation on VECKTA's website here: https://tinyurl.com/2pky586b 

What if your biggest business risk isn't your competition—but your energy strategy? In this highlight episode, Gareth steps into the guest seat to discuss the launch of his book, Powering Profits. You'll discover why energy has become one of the most important business challenges of our time, how rising costs and grid vulnerability are changing the way organizations operate, and why every business leader needs a clear energy strategy.

Listen in as Gareth shares the experiences that inspired the book, the lessons he learned from working in Iraq, and the practical framework businesses can use to reduce costs, improve resilience, and gain a lasting competitive advantage. Whether you're just beginning your energy journey or looking to accelerate existing projects, this conversation provides actionable insights to help you make smarter energy decisions with confidence.

What You’ll Learn in Today’s Episode:

• Why energy is now a business priority.
• The risks of doing nothing.
• How to lower long-term energy costs.
• Ways to improve operational resilience.
• Building an effective energy strategy.
• Aligning stakeholders for success.
• Financing onsite energy projects.
• Avoiding common energy mistakes.
• Scaling energy projects confidently.
• Turning energy into a competitive advantage.

Resources in Today's Episode:

• Powering Profits by Gareth Evans
• Gareth Evans: LinkedIn
• Dan Roberts: LinkedIn
• VECKTA: News

You can view a video of the conversation on VECKTA's website here: https://tinyurl.com/z3bf8fdj 

What if the key to building a cleaner, more reliable energy future isn’t just producing more power, but using the power we already have more intelligently? In this episode, Matthew Plante, Co-Founder and President of Voltus, Inc., shares how demand response, load flexibility, and virtual power plants are reshaping the way businesses interact with the grid. You’ll learn how commercial and industrial businesses can reduce energy costs, improve resilience, and create new revenue opportunities—all while helping accelerate the transition to renewable energy.

Listen in as Matthew takes us through his journey from studying international economic development to building power infrastructure projects in Asia, pioneering demand response at Enel X (formerly EnerNOC), and founding Voltus to unlock the full potential of flexible energy resources. You’ll discover why the future of the grid depends on distributed capacity, how batteries and AI-driven energy demand are changing the landscape, and why businesses can play a critical role in creating a more sustainable and efficient energy system.

What You’ll Learn in Today’s Episode:

• How Matt’s early career shaped his approach to energy innovation.
• Why energy efficiency is critical for economic development.
• What demand response and load flexibility really mean.
• How businesses can lower costs without reducing production.
• Why the grid needs smarter resource management.
• How Voltus helps businesses monetize energy flexibility.
• Why batteries are changing commercial energy strategies.
• How virtual power plants support renewable energy adoption.
• Why AI growth is creating new energy challenges.
• What the future of distributed energy resources looks like.

Resources in Today's Episode:

• Matthew Plante: LinkedIn
• Gareth Evans: LinkedIn
• Dan Roberts: LinkedIn
• VECKTA: News

You can view a video of the conversation on VECKTA's website here: https://tinyurl.com/2ax5z44x 

435 gigawatts of data centers want to connect to a grid that has never delivered more than 85 gigawatts at one time, and they want to do it in five years.

In this highlight episode, Dr. Joshua Rhodes, research scientist at UT Austin, nonresident fellow at Columbia University, and one of the few independent experts who models the ERCOT grid for a living, explains why he called this a bubble in 2025 and why the numbers have only gotten more extreme since.

Joshua lays out exactly how the AI build-out is driving transformer costs up 200% and wire costs up 180%, why that infrastructure debt stays on ratepayer bills for decades, and how data center companies inflated the queue by filing the same project in five or six locations at once. He then makes the counterintuitive argument that Texas' aggressive build-out of solar, wind, and 20 gigawatts of battery storage is the very thing keeping the grid stable and that blocking renewables would have cost Texans tens of billions more in electricity costs than they paid.

What You’ll Learn in Today’s Episode:

• Why the ERCOT data center queue has grown to 435 gigawatts.
• Why buying infrastructure at peak prices locks in costs for decades.
• How data centers gamed a queue that had no real process.
• Why ERCOT's batch zero process is a step in the right direction.
• How Texas solar and wind are aligned to handle summer peak demand.
• Why renewables provide cost certainty that gas plants never can.

Resources in Today's Episode:

• Joshua Rhodes: LinkedIn
• The Energy Capital Podcast
• IdeaSmiths
• Gareth Evans: LinkedIn
• Dan Roberts: LinkedIn
• VECKTA: News

You can view a video of the conversation on VECKTA's website here: https://tinyurl.com/5a4rv952

Why are electricity prices rising? And what can businesses do now to protect themselves from what's coming next? In this episode, Robbie Orvis, Senior Director of Modeling and Analysis at Energy Innovation, unpacks the policy, market, and technology shifts reshaping the energy landscape. From the impact of the Inflation Reduction Act and the One Big Beautiful Bill Act to the rapid growth of AI data centers and renewable energy, Robbie explains what's really driving energy costs, why policy matters more than ever, and how businesses can build resilience in an increasingly uncertain market.

Whether you're a CFO, business leader, sustainability professional, or simply interested in the future of energy, you'll learn how energy modelling helps policymakers make smarter decisions. Listen in to hear why grid infrastructure is becoming a major cost challenge, as well as the practical strategies organizations can use to create greater price certainty in a rapidly changing world.

What You’ll Learn in Today’s Episode:

• What's driving rising electricity prices.
• How energy policy shapes the market. 
• The impact of AI data centers on the grid. 
• Why renewable energy continues to grow. 
• The role of energy modelling in policymaking. 
• Why grid infrastructure matters. 
• How businesses can improve energy certainty. 
• Federal vs. state energy policy differences. 
• What the future holds for clean energy. 
• How to plan for long-term energy costs.

Resources in Today's Episode:

• Robbie Orvis: LinkedIn 
• Gareth Evans: LinkedIn
• Dan Roberts: LinkedIn
• VECKTA: News

You can view a video of the conversation on VECKTA's website here: https://tinyurl.com/y5bz8xkm

What if energy isn't just a utility bill, but one of the biggest opportunities to increase the value of your real estate portfolio? In this highlight episode, Brian Rappaport explains why energy has become a strategic real estate issue rather than simply an operating expense. He shares how growing grid constraints, rising tenant expectations, and increasing demand for reliable, low-carbon energy are changing the way commercial property owners, investors, and occupiers approach energy planning and long-term asset management.

Listen in as Brian explores the practical strategies organizations can use to reduce energy risk, improve resilience, and unlock new value through on-site energy solutions such as solar and battery storage. You'll learn how different stakeholders—from landlords and tenants to owner-occupiers—are navigating these challenges, why energy investments can significantly improve asset value, and how taking an unbiased, technology-agnostic approach can help businesses make smarter long-term decisions.

What You’ll Learn in Today’s Episode:

• Why energy has become a real estate issue.
• How grid constraints are affecting commercial property.
• Why tenants now prioritize energy reliability.
• The role of on-site solar and battery storage.
• How energy investments can increase asset value.
• Why energy planning reduces long-term business risk.
• The differences between landlord and tenant priorities.
• How owner-occupiers evaluate energy investments.
• Why technology-neutral advice matters.
• How energy strategy supports long-term growth.

Resources in Today's Episode:

• Brian Rappaport: LinkedIn
• Powering Profits Newsletter
• Gareth Evans: LinkedIn
• Dan Roberts: LinkedIn
• VECKTA: News

You can view a video of the conversation on VECKTA's website here: https://tinyurl.com/5xh2sja7 

What if the key to achieving sustainability goals is already hidden in your utility bills? In this episode, DeVynne Farquharson shares his journey from growing up in a community heavily impacted by industrial pollution to leading sustainable solutions at Sagiliti. You'll learn how personal experiences shaped his passion for environmental equity, why data is one of the most powerful tools for driving meaningful change, and how organizations can turn sustainability ambitions into measurable outcomes.

DeVynne also explains how companies can uncover hidden opportunities in their energy, water, and utility data, overcome cost barriers, and identify projects that deliver both environmental benefits and strong ROI. From reducing water consumption and optimizing utility spending to supporting long-term decarbonization efforts, this conversation explores the practical strategies helping businesses make smarter decisions while creating a more sustainable future.

What You’ll Learn in Today’s Episode:

• How personal experiences can shape sustainability leadership.
• Why utility data is a powerful business asset.
• Common barriers to sustainability projects.
• How companies uncover hidden cost savings.
• The role of ROI in sustainability decisions.
• Strategies for reducing water consumption.
• How trusted partnerships accelerate change.
• Trends shaping energy and utility management.
• The importance of environmental equity.
• Why battery storage is critical to the energy transition.

Resources in Today's Episode:

• DeVynne Farquharson: LinkedIn
• Gareth Evans: LinkedIn
• Dan Roberts: LinkedIn
• VECKTA: News

You can view a video of the conversation on VECKTA's website here: https://tinyurl.com/25fbcn8f

What if solar energy isn't just another power source, but the foundation of the future economy? In this highlight episode, Greg Nemet explores why solar energy's rapid growth shows no signs of slowing, as well as what that means for businesses, energy consumers, and the broader economy. You'll learn why falling solar and battery costs continue to drive adoption worldwide, how the concept of a "solar-centric economy" is reshaping energy markets, and why waiting for the next technological breakthrough may not be the smartest financial decision.

Listen in as Greg dives into the rise of the energy "prosumer"—organizations and individuals who both consume and produce electricity—and explains how solar, battery storage, electric vehicles, and digital energy management systems are creating new opportunities for businesses. He also breaks down how companies can reduce costs, improve energy resilience, leverage emerging technologies, and prepare for a future where energy generation is increasingly decentralized. Whether you're a business leader, energy professional, or simply curious about where the energy industry is headed, this conversation offers valuable insights into one of the biggest economic shifts of our time.

What You’ll Learn in Today’s Episode:

• Why solar and battery costs continue to fall over time.
• The real cost of waiting to adopt clean energy technologies.
• What Greg means by a "solar-centric economy."
• Why solar could become the world's dominant energy source.
• How batteries are accelerating renewable energy adoption.
• The impact of changing tax incentives on solar projects.
• What "soft costs" are and why they matter.
• How businesses can become energy prosumers.
• The role of electric vehicles as mobile energy storage.
• Why energy management systems are becoming increasingly important.

Resources in Today's Episode:

• Greg Nemet: Website
• Gareth Evans: LinkedIn
• Dan Roberts: LinkedIn
• VECKTA: News

You can view a video of the conversation on VECKTA's website here: https://tinyurl.com/zn7kvev5