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Renewable Rides

Renewable Rides

By: Gareth Evans & Dan Roberts
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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.

© 2025 Renewable Rides
Economics
Episodes
  • Ep 89: A New Suite of Solutions for the New World: Our Talk with Ember’s Kingsmill Bond on Electrotech and Energy Security
    Jun 3 2025

    The global energy transition is moving fast—are you ready for what comes next? Today's guest is Kingsmill Bond, energy strategist at Ember, who joins the show to unpack the seismic shift underway in how we power our world—and why clinging to outdated solutions could spell economic stagnation. He introduces “electrotech,” the production of electricity from solar and wind, smart usage via EVs and heat pumps, and connected technologies like batteries and grids. These innovations benefit from steep learning curves and exponential growth, making them cheaper and faster to scale than fossil fuels.

    Listen in as Kingsmill shares how energy security is being redefined, why countries reliant on imports face growing risks, and how forward-thinking policies can dramatically cut electricity costs. This episode is a must-listen for leaders ready to embrace electrification—not as a moral imperative, but as a strategic advantage in a rapidly evolving world.


    What You’ll Learn in Today’s Episode:

    • What “electrotech” means and why it matters.
    • How renewables are outpacing fossil fuels in cost and deployment.
    • The global risks of fossil fuel dependence.
    • The economic dangers of clinging to carbon capture.
    • How policy drives electricity price and competitiveness.
    • Why global manufacturing of solar and batteries matters.
    • How to lead through energy change with clarity and urgency.


    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/mt38rsmh

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    47 mins
  • Ep 88: Lessons From the Recent Major Outages and Putting a Value on Resilience
    May 20 2025

    What happens when an entire country goes dark? In this episode, we break down three recent massive power outages — in Spain, Chile, and at London’s Heathrow Airport — that disrupted millions of lives and exposed the fragility of our global energy infrastructure. You’ll learn what triggered each blackout, why these failures are more than just isolated incidents, and how interconnected, inverter-heavy grids are creating new vulnerabilities in a world rapidly shifting to renewables.

    We also unpack what these crises reveal about resilience in both national and business-critical energy systems. You'll walk away with a better understanding of why energy resilience matters now more than ever, and what it means for the future of clean tech, critical infrastructure, and global business continuity.

    What You’ll Learn in Today’s Episode:

    • What caused Spain's largest power outage in recent history.
    • How inverter-heavy grids react to rapid solar drops.
    • Why Chile’s national blackout triggered military intervention.
    • The business cost of a single blackout.
    • How centralized infrastructure becomes a single point of failure.
    • The economic ripple effects of nationwide outages.
    • What industries are most vulnerable to voltage spikes.
    • Lessons from biotech and semiconductor facility resilience.
    • How airports are rewriting their power recovery procedures.


    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/y37ym5sc

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    22 mins
  • Ep 87: Insights into Commercial Real Estate Technology Trends with JLL’s Lee Jackson
    May 6 2025

    Lee Jackson, Senior Vice President of Digital Solutions at JLL, joins the show to share his unconventional journey and how his unique background gives him an edge in transforming real estate portfolios. You'll hear how shifting consumer behavior, from traditional retail to immersive destination experiences, has forced the industry to adapt, and how digital tools are helping it do just that.

    Lee also breaks down the key differences between public and private ownership structures, how asset life cycles impact decision-making, and why the next evolution in sustainability isn’t just measurement—it’s action. With examples ranging from energy optimization to tenant engagement tools, you’ll learn how innovation is reshaping real estate and what it means for landlords, investors, and tenants alike.

    What You’ll Learn in Today’s Episode:

    • Why destination-focused retail is replacing traditional models.
    • How COVID-19 accelerated tech adoption in buildings.
    • The importance of acting on energy data.
    • How digital tools boost tenant satisfaction and retention.
    • The role of ownership type in real estate decisions.
    • Why stakeholder pressure drives sustainability innovation.
    • Metrics that matter most in managing real estate portfolios.
    • How leaders can use data for real-world impact.


    Resources In Today's Episode:

    • Lee Jackson: LinkedIn
    • Dan Roberts: LinkedIn
    • VECKTA: News


    You can view a video of the conversation on VECKTA's website here: https://tinyurl.com/bwr8mb4m

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    44 mins
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