The inconvenient bottleneck forming between electric transport vehicles and their charging infrastructure

Heavy-duty vehicles, including trucks and buses, make up about 10% of all motor vehicles globally, but produce around 50% of their carbon dioxide emissions and over 70% of vehicle particulate pollution. Understandably, there has been excitement in the potential transition of heavy-duty vehicles off of diesel and towards a cleaner, electric operating system. And while striving for ambitious ESG targets in this (and every) industry is needed and supported, it is unlikely that electrical transport vehicles will carry this load in the near term for the three reasons in this article.

Trends, TechnologyBronwyn Scrivens, Omada CommercialDecember 14, 2022Green Energy, Electric, nuclear energyComment

Vertical Farming Could Be A Community-Driven Approach to Space Absorption

Through the process of adaptation to macro and microeconomic disruptions, commercial real estate has begun transitioning to meet the future needs of the populace. Developments and buildings that once served a specific purpose, are being tested as society shifts around new work, live and play models. Through analysis and feasibility studies, many are beginning to take risks and think outside the box to determine alternate uses for their assets, through adaptive reuse and redevelopment. One such use that is catching the eyes and ears of analysts and decision makers, is the concept of vertical, indoor farming. This concept has been discussed for many years, but only now is getting to a point where it is economically viable and able to compete with traditional farming methods.

Could vacant office towers or underutilized malls lay the future foundation for vertical farms?

Trends, TechnologyBronwyn Scrivens, Omada CommercialJanuary 9, 2022vertical farm, Redevelopment, adaptive reuse, Adaptation, agritechComment

Cross-Docking Efficiencies in Supply Chain Management, with an Industry Expert

I recently had the opportunity to Get a better understanding of cross-docking and supply chain management with Rosenau Transport President, Ken Rosenau. So what is cross-docking, and why are so many corporations, multinational and local alike, turning to this model of distribution to streamline their global supply chain?

The big energy problem, and the [nu]clear solution.

I was pleasantly surprised to hear that Alberta, along with Ontario, Saskatchewan and New Brunswick, have all signed on to help further develop nuclear reactor technology in Canada. The goal of this program is to support the advancement and deployment of nuclear energy through small modular reactors (SMRs), a fresh, new technology that greatly differs from standard nuclear reactors, both in size, flexibility and overall safety.

Technology, Investment, DevelopmentBronwyn Scrivens, Omada CommercialSeptember 20, 2020Energy, Green Energy, Development, nuclear energy, alberta, Canada, RenewableComment

Five great stories coming out of Edmonton this quarter

Research shows that on average, people pay more attention to negative news than to positive news (named “negativity bias”). This is a huge reason why the astonishingly higher proportion of news articles and media in today’s day and age leans toward negative, clickbait titles, rather than neutral, or heaven forbid, positive headers. So to start your week, here’s a compilation of five positive, no, GREAT stories that have come out of Edmonton and broader Alberta this past quarter.

Alberta still pushing over $30 billion in major industrial projects with 2020 vision.

It’s easy to get bogged down in the negative news surrounding delayed pipelines, figurative and literal roadblocks, and absentee governance, but behind the veil, there are some outstanding developments, projects and innovations that are taking place all across Alberta.

Data Centre Development in Alberta

Data is growing at an almost incomprehensible rate. There are 2.5 quintillion bytes of data created each day at our current pace, but with the growth of the Internet of Things (IoT), robotics, 5G and AI, that pace is accelerating. By understanding the requirements and initiatives surrounding tech based real estate, Alberta could be in an advantageous position to diversify industry and encourage the absorption of current vacancy in the form of data centres.

Investment, Development, Market, Technology, TrendsBronwyn ScrivensJanuary 7, 2020data centre, Tech, Technology, tech based real estate, development, InvestmentComment

Three Tech Movements in Building Construction

Technology is impacting the construction industry like never before. An impressive lineup of developments are aiming to improve the efficiencies of a sector that shapes how every human being is able to live their lives.

"Beds and Sheds" hedging to be the front runners for investors in 2020

The catchphrase of the moment is proving to hold its weight as we analyze commercial real estate trends leading into the new year. Canada’s Multifamily market is the strongest it’s ever been with rental rates nearing 10-year highs, apartments near 100% occupancy, and volatility remaining low. On the industrial front, demand for fulfillment space continues to reign supreme to satisfy the multiplying growth metrics in e-commerce.

Turning Your Roof Into A Revenue Stream Through Solar Leasing

Around the world, a new stream of relatively passive revenue is benefiting the Landlords of commercial buildings. Read about one method that is mutually symbiotic in benefiting both the environment, and the bottom line, as countries around the world continue to take efforts toward transitioning the consumer’s reliance on energy to new renewable sources.

Canadian oil and gas production is among the greenest and most environmentally innovative in the world. So why are we not branding it this way?

Canadian oil and gas production has long since become the scapegoat of the modern energy contradiction. That is, many around the world are demanding a switch to green, renewable energy, calling for a complete elimination of the oil and gas industry, yet the data shows that global fuel usage from oil continues to grow year after year.

Technology, TrendsBronwyn Scrivens, Omada CommercialSeptember 16, 2018Oil & Gas, Energy, Green Energy, Alternative Energy, Market, Canada, Alberta, TrendsComment

First place you think of when you hear the word Tech? Could be Canada now!

Month after month, we discuss the effects of automation and advancing technologies on the changing landscape of the commercial real estate industry. Whether it's the billions of dollars being invested globally into distribution chain robotics and drones for logistics networks, or the rise of beacon technology emanating from our smart phones to create enhanced and tailored retail experiences, technology is changing the way we do business, and in fact, how we experience life as a whole.

TechnologyBronwyn Scrivens, Omada CommercialAugust 19, 2018Technology, Office, Commercial Real Estate, Edmonton, Canada, Global, Tech, InnovationComment

What's Coming Our Way: Future Trends Affecting the Commercial Real Estate Sectors

The commercial real estate industry continues to transform, creating new opportunities and challenges for users and service providers alike. These trends are affecting the commercial real estate sectors individually (Industrial, Retail, Office, Hospitality and Multi-Family), as well as the industry as a whole. Being knowledgeable and able to adapt to these changes will create opportunities instead of threats for those [so lucky] to be involved.

Changing the refining game in Alberta - what you need to know

The question facing energy companies today is where best to invest their capital to get their product to market. Should they be investing to build upgraders and refineries here in Alberta to convert bitumen into diesel and gas products locally, or should they continue investing in pipelines to ship heavy product to other markets like Texas where these refineries already exist?

Is Amazon aiming for political influence in their HQ2?

The majority of the Top 20 Cities selected, slimmed down from 238 submissions, are located in Eastern USA. But more interesting to me is where the clusters lie - particularly one cluster located around Washington D.C. proper, with three potential locations within neighboring counties. Where the big banks and pharmaceutical giants used to dominate the US lobbying industry, flexing their economic muscle, the new player in town is the tech industry, and in a big way.

Technology, Market, Investment, EconomicsBronwyn ScrivensJanuary 18, 2018Amazon, HQ2, Technology, Politics, WashingtonComment

Amazon just figured out how to complete their supply chain cycle

Are we surprised? Not even a little.

It was only a matter of time before Amazon found the final piece of the logistics puzzle to allow them to consolidate and manage ALL the steps from the moment an order is placed online, to the the moment the package efficiently arrives in the hands of the consumer.

TechnologyBronwyn ScrivensOctober 18, 2017Amazon, Distribution, E-Commerce, Residential, Real Estate, Logistics, Supply ChainComment

Largest Edmonton Solar System Reaches Completion

When we think of innovation and trends leading us into Edmonton's future regarding our commercial developments, a few words must now come to mind... Simons Londonderry Mall. Not likely the general public's first thought, but since Londonderry Mall announced their $130 Million renovation and redevelopment plan in 2014, this has come to fruition, notably due to the largest solar system in Edmonton that now swathes the new Simons development.

Amazon HQ2

It's no secret that Amazon released a Request for Proposals last week to determine the location of their new headquarters - HQ2. Every major City is jumping at the opportunity to have a company of this magnitude enter their market, to say nothing of the billions in capital expenditure and thousands of jobs created. Take a look at what their top decision drivers are here.

Warehousing is Reaching New Heights in North America

As urban cities continue to grow in population and expense, and the availability of warehousing space continues to diminish, developers are being forced to look at alternative options to counter increasing industrial land prices and lease rates. The solution: build upwards, not outwards.

The Economic Impact of Direct Flights

How much value do you place on the accessibility of a City when you think of its potential for growth and development?

Thought Leadership

Are we surprised? Not even a little.

Bronwyn Scrivens, SIOR is a licensed real estate agent with: