Episodios

  • Top Moment from Insights into Commercial Real Estate Technology Trends with JLL’s Lee Jackson
    Nov 18 2025

    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

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    16 m
  • Ep 100: Amory Lovins on Integrative Design for Efficiency, Grid Reliability and Powering Datacenters
    Nov 11 2025

    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

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    1 h y 10 m
  • Ep 99: Deep Dive on Onsite Energy Project Procurement, Risks and Cost Drivers
    Oct 28 2025

    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

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    1 h y 1 m
  • Ep 98: Navigating the New Solar and Storage ITC Requirements
    Oct 14 2025

    What’s really changed in the solar market since the “One Big Beautiful Bill” passed? In this episode, Dan Roberts and Marc Palmer, Founder and CEO of Conductor Solar, break down how the act’s tax credits, FIAC compliance, and construction timelines are reshaping the landscape for solar developers and investors.

    You’ll learn how to navigate new ITC and depreciation rules, what’s required for “beginning of construction,” and how developers can position projects to avoid compliance pitfalls. Marc and Dan also discuss real-world implications for EPCs, manufacturers, and financiers, as well as what smart players are doing now to prepare for 2026 and beyond.

    What You’ll Learn in Today’s Episode:

    • How the “One Big Beautiful Bill” affects solar project tax credits.
    • Key deadlines and rules for ITC qualification.
    • What “beginning of construction” really means under new guidance.
    • How FIAC compliance impacts solar and storage projects.
    • Strategies to safe harbor projects before 2026.
    • How 100% bonus depreciation improves short-term project economics.
    • The growing importance of domestic content requirements.
    • Why smaller projects may face fewer compliance challenges.
    • How to avoid legal and financial friction in project deals.
    • Why now is the best time to start upcoming solar projects.

    Resources in Today's Episode:

    • Marc Palmer: LinkedIn
    • Navigating the New Clean Energy Tax Credit Rules
    • Gareth Evans: LinkedIn
    • Dan Roberts: LinkedIn
    • VECKTA: News

    You can view a video of the conversation on VECKTA's website here: https://tinyurl.com/mtcs9cs7

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    36 m
  • Ep 97: How Utilities are Dealing with the Storm of Surging Demand, an Aging Grid and Climate Risk
    Sep 30 2025

    What happens when rising demand, an aging grid, extreme weather, and the AI boom all collide? U.S. utilities are facing what some are calling the “perfect storm,” and the ripple effects are set to reshape electricity rates, reliability, and long-term energy strategies.

    In this episode, we break down why demand is skyrocketing after two decades of flat growth, how utilities are responding, and what it means for businesses and households alike. From data center-driven load surges and billion-dollar transmission upgrades to regional case studies and proven solutions like storage and demand response, you’ll learn what’s really driving rate hikes and how leaders can turn energy challenges into opportunities.

    What You’ll Learn in Today’s Episode:

    • Why U.S. electricity demand is projected to nearly double by 2050.
    • The impact of AI and data centers on grid stability.
    • How transmission and distribution bottlenecks drive up costs.
    • Why utilities are raising rates and how bills could double.
    • The role of climate extremes in utility planning.
    • Regional hotspots for explosive demand growth.
    • Practical steps for businesses to hedge against rising rates.
    • How energy can shift from a fixed cost to a value driver.

    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/3h8eapsv

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    33 m
  • Ep 96: The Price of Power: Examining the Costs Behind Keeping the Lights On and What's Next with Mark Ellis
    Sep 16 2025

    Why do your energy bills keep rising? And where is all that money really going? In this episode, economic and financial consultant Mark Ellis breaks down the inner workings of utility economics and regulation, sharing a unique insider’s view of how utilities make money, what drives their profits, and why regulatory models often leave consumers paying more than they should.

    Listen in to hear why some seemingly cost-effective solutions—like behind-the-meter batteries—never gained traction, and how complexity often stalls innovation. You’ll learn why renewables like wind and solar are often unfairly blamed for rising rates, what the real cost drivers are, and how changes in utility finance could lower bills for households and businesses alike. If you’ve ever wanted clarity on why electricity rates keep climbing, what the future holds for utilities, and how reform could benefit everyone, this episode delivers a roadmap for understanding and change.


    What You’ll Learn in Today’s Episode:

    • How utilities generate profit.
    • Why rising rates aren’t mainly caused by renewables.
    • The hidden role of transmission and distribution costs.
    • How regulatory incentives drive consumer overcharges.
    • The vicious cycle of deferred maintenance and higher rates.
    • The difference between surface-level narratives and structural cost drivers.
    • How competitive direct equity could cut bills significantly.
    • Why simplification is key to broader energy solution adoption.
    • What policymakers are exploring to reform utility finance.

    Resources in Today's Episode:

    • Mark Ellis: 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/4xd3hhh9

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    1 h y 7 m
  • Ep 95: The Utility of the Future and the Community Power Model with San Diego Community Power CEO, Karin Burns
    Sep 2 2025

    What if the biggest roadblocks to clean energy weren’t the technology itself, but the time it takes to connect that power to the grid? In this episode, San Diego Community Power CEO, Karin Burns, dives deep into the future of renewable energy, community choice aggregation (CCAs), and how innovative solutions like virtual power plants are transforming the way we generate, store, and use electricity.

    You’ll learn how CCAs create cleaner, more affordable power while building local jobs, why AI will be critical to forecasting and managing growing energy loads from data centers and electric vehicles, and how behind-the-meter systems can help businesses and homes cut costs while improving grid reliability. We also explore how incentive programs can unlock stranded assets and why local generation will play a central role in meeting 100% renewable goals.

    What You’ll Learn in Today’s Episode:

    • Why interconnection delays can derail clean energy projects.
    • How CCAs procure renewable energy locally and affordably.
    • The four main components of the energy system.
    • How virtual power plants optimize battery storage.
    • Why behind-the-meter systems reduce grid costs.
    • How AI can improve load forecasting and energy efficiency.
    • The role of reconductoring in boosting grid capacity.
    • The importance of local generation for resilience.
    • How incentive programs accelerate renewable adoption.

    Resources in Today's Episode:

    • Karin Burns: LinkedIn
    • San Diego Community Power
    • Gareth Evans: LinkedIn
    • Dan Roberts: LinkedIn
    • VECKTA: News

    You can view a video of the conversation on VECKTA's website here: https://tinyurl.com/mr2svjvv

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    49 m
  • Ep 94: Linking Sustainability with Profitability and Impact - Our Conversation with Business Resilience Strategist Melanie Larkins
    Aug 19 2025

    What if sustainability wasn’t just about compliance but about unlocking hidden value in your business? In this conversation with Melanie Larkins, a global sustainability strategist with over 20 years of ESG leadership experience, you’ll learn how systems thinking, strategic decision-making, and ROI-focused approaches can transform sustainability from a cost center into a driver of innovation, efficiency, and growth.

    You’ll discover the biggest barriers preventing businesses from fully leveraging sustainability, why leadership buy-in is critical, and how “uncomfortable transparency” can create real impact. Whether you’re a business leader, sustainability professional, or simply curious about building a better future, this episode will equip you with strategies to make a measurable, lasting impact.

    What You’ll Learn in Today’s Episode:

    • How systems thinking strengthens sustainability strategies.
    • Why ROI is essential for sustainability leadership.
    • Ways to move from compliance to value creation.
    • Common barriers to sustainability adoption.
    • How to secure leadership buy-in and funding.
    • The role of cross-company networking in driving impact.
    • Why transparency must be complete, not selective.
    • How to prevent burnout in sustainability teams.
    • Preparing for geopolitical and resource challenges.

    Resources in Today's Episode:

    • Melanie Larkins: 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/33nzzrdb

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    43 m