Are you prepared for the evolving landscape of the electricity sector? John Cooper, an energy entrepreneur and recognized innovator in the electricity sector, joins the show to discuss the shifting dynamics of the grid and utilities. With his extensive experience in integrating decarbonization, resilience, energy self-sufficiency, transportation, building electrification and data/digitalization, John sheds light on why the traditional way of operating the grid is becoming less reliable.

Listen in to hear about the future of grid management, as well as the transition from manned operations to smart systems and data-driven decisions. You’ll learn the importance of software systems like ADMS in control rooms and the value of data processing in modernizing operations. John also explains what large business leaders can do to optimize their operations in the face of climate change. It’s time to step up and take on more responsibility to make a difference!

What You'll Learn In Today's Episode:

• How John became involved with energy.
• How AI can help the energy transition.
• The importance of leaning on data.
• What large business leaders can do to optimize their operations.
• How every single person can help the energy transition.
• Why business leaders are going to have to take on more responsibility.

Ideas Worth Sharing:

• “The future of running something as complex as the grid is not controlling it ever tighter and having old, experienced hands in the control room to make decisions. It’s moving to software systems like ADMS in the control room, so that we can lean on the value of data, data processing and smart systems and shift a lot of our operations from man operations to machine operations.” – John Cooper
• “For business leaders thinking they can just pay their utility bills and then leave that up to the utilities to take care of is to cede a lot of the control of your business to a third party. And I think it represents an unacceptable risk.” – John Cooper
• “Changes are afoot, and the old way of operating the grid and utilities are on the way to not being seen as stable and reliable as they used to be.” – John Cooper

Resources In Today's Episode:

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

You can find show notes, resources, and more here: https://tinyurl.com/3z47svd4

Today we are joined by two guests from the Loan Programs Office (LPO): Arpita Bhattacharyya, Senior Advisor and Chief Climate Officer, and Jigar Shah, Director. They discuss how the LPO helps businesses overcome barriers to accelerate energy opportunities and share a bit about the financing of the Lithium Americas Corp processing plant in Nevada. You'll also hear about their early inspirations for pursuing energy solutions, as well as the story behind the Viejas Microgrid and how more businesses and communities can access funding like this.

Listen in as we talk about how to balance supply and demand sustainably, the impact of the Inflation Reduction Act, and why businesses must now take a more proactive role in managing their energy needs. You will learn the role of industrial strategy in the U.S. and the importance of coordination and enabling technologies to meet the growing demand for sustainable energy solutions. From the benefits of solar rooftops to the necessity of battery storage, this episode offers practical insights for navigating the evolving energy landscape.

What You'll Learn In Today's Episode:

• How the LPO helps to remove the barriers to businesses to accelerate energy opportunities.
• The story behind Viejas Microgrid.
• How more businesses and communities can access funding.
• The financing of the Lithium Americas Corp processing plant in Nevada.
• How we can balance supply and demand more sustainably.

Ideas Worth Sharing:

• “We’re ready for this growth moment. But I do think folks have to just take a deep breath, recognize that we have the solutions, and then go out every day to push them forward.” – Jigar Shah
• “I think in the 1970s, we somehow decided that these infrastructure things would be done by other people and we don’t have to worry about it. The electric utility was going to handle it, the water utility was going to handle it. Whatever it is, they were going to do it. And I just run my business, and I don’t need to be concerned. And now we’re realizing that you kind of do.” – Jigar Shah
• “The Inflation Reduction Act did a great job of creating levers for both demand and for supply. For creating demand, we have all the tax incentives to figure out how to ensure the affordability of solar panels, wind, hydrogen, geothermal, etc. The LPO is on the supply side, making sure we have the supply to meet all of that.” – Arpita Bhattacharyya

Resources In Today's Episode:

• Arpita Bhattacharyya: LinkedIn
• Jigar Shah: LinkedIn
• Gareth Evans: LinkedIn
• Dan Roberts: LinkedIn
• FY 2023 Annual Portfolio Status Report: Accelerating Portfolio Growth | Department of Energy
• LPO Announces Conditional Commitment to Viejas Microgrid to Build Renewable, Utility-Scale Generation and Storage on Tribal Lands | Department of Energy
• LPO Announces Conditional Commitment to Lithium Americas Corp. to Help Finance the Construction of a Lithium Processing Plant in Nevada | Department of Energy
• VECKTA: News

You can find show notes, resources, and more here: https://tinyurl.com/se2uc2hv

Our season 2 premiere addresses the recurring question: What does VECKTA do? Join us as we share the background of our company and demystify the concept of onsite energy systems. Discover how onsite energy transforms businesses into prosumers, enhancing grid reliability and generating revenue. We explore the critical need for data-driven decision-making in energy management and how the VECKTA platform simplifies this process.

You will learn why onsite energy presents a lucrative opportunity for companies to drive profitability and sustainability, leaving a lasting impact on both their bottom line and community. Listen in as we explain the reasons behind the slow adoption of sustainable energy systems, the pivotal questions every business leader should be asking, and the challenges faced in scaling onsite energy deployment.

What You'll Learn In Today's Episode:

• What VECKTA does.
• What an onsite energy system is.
• The cost of delivering the electricity demand.
• Why more companies aren’t deploying these sustainable systems.
• The three questions that business leaders need to be asking.
• A major challenge in deploying onsite energy at scale.
• How we came up with the name VECKTA.
• Our core values within our business.

Ideas Worth Sharing:

• “Onsite energy allows businesses to become prosumers and interact with the grid and improve grid reliability with things like demand response programs while generating revenue along the way.” – Dan Roberts
• “Business leaders are good at running their businesses, but they’ve never really had to think about energy before. Being able to provide all the stakeholder groups in a company with the data and intelligence they need to make accurate, informed, and confident decisions is critical.” – Gareth Evans
• “With onsite energy, there is an opportunity for companies to drive greater profitability, greater sustainability, and distinguish themselves. In the process, business leaders will elevate their careers and have a major and positive, lasting impact on their community.” – Gareth Evans

Resources In Today's Episode:

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

You can find show notes, resources, and more here: https://tinyurl.com/3yevznh5