Renewable Rides

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: LinkedIn
• Dan Roberts: LinkedIn
• VECKTA: News

You can view a video of the conversation on VECKTA's website here: https://tinyurl.com/mr38uyu7

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: LinkedIn
• Echo Communications Advisors: Website | 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/2dzdfc3r 

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

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

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 | LinkedIn
• Ember Energy
• Gareth Evans: LinkedIn
• Dan Roberts: LinkedIn
• VECKTA: News

You can view a video of the conversation on VECKTA's website here: https://tinyurl.com/j9yw7y3s 

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

You can view a video of the conversation on VECKTA's website here: https://tinyurl.com/3nfphfcv 

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

You can view a video of the conversation on VECKTA's website here: https://tinyurl.com/3sn284t5 

Have you ever wondered how business leaders in clean energy can actually influence policy? Today we're joined by Chris Moyer, who shares his whirlwind journey into the heart of clean energy policy. From standing next to President Obama to navigating major legislation like the Inflation Reduction Act, Chris explains how businesses can use strategic communications to drive meaningful change in energy policy, shape public opinion, and support sustainable growth.

Listen in to learn why policy cannot be ignored, how grassroots advocacy and employee engagement amplify influence, and how companies can build political muscle without matching oil and gas dollar-for-dollar. Chris also dives into state-level initiatives, navigating permitting challenges, and leveraging communications to benefit both businesses and communities.

What You’ll Learn in Today’s Episode:

• How Chris Moyer started in clean energy policy.
• The role of strategic communications in shaping legislation.
• Why ignoring policy can hurt your business.
• How grassroots advocacy impacts decision-makers.
• Building political influence without matching big dollars.
• Navigating state and federal energy policies.
• Lessons from the Inflation Reduction Act.
• How energy security and reliability affect policy strategy.
• Examples of companies successfully influencing clean energy policy.
• Tools and approaches for communicating with elected officials.

Resources in Today's Episode:

• Chris Moyer: LinkedIn
• Echo Communications Advisors: Website | 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/yc2au69d

How is technology rewriting the definition of commercial real estate value? In this highlight episode, we sit down with Lee Jackson, Co-Founder at Bridgeline, to explore how some of the world’s largest property owners are reimagining their portfolios through innovation, energy transformation, and digital infrastructure. 

You’ll learn how these shifts are changing the way owners think about revenue, resilience, and sustainability—and what that means for investors and tenants alike. From the evolution beyond traditional leasing models to the rise of onsite energy as a competitive advantage, Lee breaks down how real estate is becoming more connected, intelligent, and essential to community well-being. 

What You’ll Learn in Today’s Episode:

• New revenue models beyond traditional leasing.
• ESG and sustainability as core value drivers.
• Smart buildings improving efficiency and experience.
• Onsite energy as a financial and community asset.
• Technology adoption driving modern real estate growth.

Resources in Today's Episode:

• Lee Jackson: 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/nhztpacp 

What if the path to a clean energy future isn’t just about building more solar panels or wind turbines? In this episode, we sit down with physicist Amory Lovins, cofounder of RMI and a pioneer in integrative design, to explore revolutionary ways to optimize buildings, vehicles, and industrial processes for maximum efficiency and minimal cost. From passive solar farms in the Rocky Mountains to ultra-lightweight electric cars, you’ll discover how small design choices can save massive amounts of energy and transform how industries operate.

We also dive into the rapidly evolving energy grid, renewable microgrids, and innovative strategies powering next-generation AI data centers. Learn how companies like Redwood Energy built North America’s largest solar microgrid in just four months, unifying hundreds of second-life EV batteries into a 63 MWh storage system producing cheaper, more reliable energy than the grid. This episode is packed with actionable insights, real-world examples, and resources to help you understand how efficiency and renewables together can decarbonize industries and power the future.

What You’ll Learn in Today’s Episode:

• How integrative design maximizes energy efficiency in buildings and vehicles.
• Why second-life EV batteries can create profitable modular microgrids.
• The impact of flexible energy use for AI data centers.
• How small design choices yield massive energy savings.
• The role of local microgrids in reducing costs and improving reliability.
• Strategies for decarbonizing industrial processes.
• How modular containerized data centers operate off-grid.
• Advanced efficiency vs. simply building more power supply.
• Resources to explore renewable and efficiency solutions further.

Resources in Today's Episode:

• Amory Lovins: RMI
• Artificial Intelligence Meets Natural Stupidity: Managing the Risks
• Integrative Design for Radical Energy Efficiency Learning Hub
• “Managing Data Centers’ Financial Risk,” Public Utilities Fortnightly
• “Nuclear power is failing, and AI can’t rescue it,” Utility Dive
• Gareth Evans: LinkedIn
• Dan Roberts: LinkedIn
• VECKTA: News

You can view a video of the conversation on VECKTA's website here: https://tinyurl.com/3v9yrzrf 

What if the biggest risks to your solar investment aren’t the ones you can see? In this episode, we sit down with Calvin Fine, Head of Market Operations and VECKTA Co-Founder, to unpack the hidden pitfalls and proven strategies behind commercial energy projects. From tax credit compliance and workmanship guarantees to maintenance planning and supplier accountability, you’ll learn how businesses can confidently approach solar and battery installations while safeguarding long-term performance and ROI.

Listen in as Calvin explains how small oversights can lead to major financial losses down the line. You’ll hear how to evaluate O&M contracts, ensure system reliability, and understand how U.S. tax credits and FIAC (Foreign Entity of Concern) regulations affect your project’s viability. Whether you’re managing a large-scale energy rollout or exploring your first installation, this conversation gives you the roadmap to make smart, resilient, and profitable energy investments.

What You’ll Learn in Today’s Episode:

• How to plan and budget for solar operations and maintenance.
• Why O&M costs matter more than you think.
• What to include in workmanship guarantees.
• How to protect against tax credit recapture risk.
• The impact of FIAC compliance on project funding.
• How to verify supplier and equipment traceability.
• Managing construction timelines and avoiding costly delays.
• Why documentation is critical for long-term ROI.
• The financial risks of missing out on ITC incentives.
• How to future-proof your renewable energy investments.

Resources in Today's Episode:

• Calvin Fine: 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/54tex8ed