EnergyTech Podcast

As AI data centers, battery energy storage systems (BESS), and remote operations continue to grow, operational technology (OT) cybersecurity has become one of the industry's biggest challenges.At Inductive Automation's Solar & Battery Discovery Day, we sat down with Vish Ganti, President & COO of Durk, to discuss how critical infrastructure operators can better secure SCADA systems, energy assets, and remote operations.Topics include:OT CybersecuritySCADA SecurityAI Data CentersBattery Energy Storage Systems (BESS)ROC & SOC ConvergenceRemote OperationsIgnition ModulesDigital TwinsAI Threat DetectionMQTT & Unified NamespaceIndustrial NetworksGrid SecurityCritical Infrastructure ProtectionVish explains why traditional IT cybersecurity approaches aren't enough for operational technology and how operators can gain real-time situational awareness without disrupting operations.⚡ Learn more about industrial operations and automation:https://www.opsiteenergy.com🎙 Subscribe for weekly interviews covering industrial automation, SCADA, AI, cybersecurity, Ignition, networking, and remote operations.00:00 Introduction00:30 Meet Vish Ganti, President & COO of Durk01:05 Securing the Future of Energy Infrastructure02:00 Why ROC & SOC Must Converge03:10 OT Cybersecurity vs Traditional IT Security05:10 Living-Off-the-Land Attacks on Energy Systems06:00 East-West Traffic & OT Network Monitoring07:00 Human Factors in OT Cybersecurity08:20 Bringing Cybersecurity into Operations09:45 Built-In Security for Ignition11:10 AI Threats to Industrial Control Systems12:25 How Durk Discovers OT Assets13:50 Digital Twins & Threat Modeling15:00 AI Data Centers & Grid Reliability16:00 Unified Namespace & MQTT Security18:00 Standardizing Energy Asset Data Models19:00 Scaling Secure Energy Operations21:45 Final Thoughts: Bridging Operations & CybersecurityMusic: Uygar Duzgun – "Fast Life"Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com#OTCybersecurity #SCADA #IndustrialAutomation #CriticalInfrastructure #AIDataCenters #BatteryStorage #Ignition #OperationalTechnology #CyberSecurity #IndustrialCybersecurity #MQTT #UnifiedNamespace #Energy #GridSecurity #EnergyTechPodcast

When most people think of VEGA, they think of radar tank level measurement. But that's only part of the story.At ENTELEC 2026, we sat down with Russ Simonson of VEGA to discuss the company's complete portfolio of industrial instrumentation, including pressure transmitters, radar level sensors, Bluetooth configuration, hazardous area applications, wastewater, oil & gas, EPC projects, and more.Topics include:Radar level measurementPressure transmittersDifferential pressureGuided wave radarBluetooth device setupHazardous area instrumentationOil & gas applicationsWater & wastewaterOEM & EPC integrationIndustrial automationInstrumentation best practicesWhether you're working in upstream, midstream, downstream, water treatment, or industrial manufacturing, this conversation highlights how modern instrumentation is becoming easier to deploy while improving reliability.⚡ Learn more about industrial operations and automation:https://www.opsiteenergy.com🎙 Subscribe for weekly conversations with leaders in industrial automation, OT cybersecurity, SCADA, AI, networking, and remote operations.00:00 Introduction00:50 Meet Russ Simonson from VEGA01:35 Working Across Multiple Industries02:55 Beyond Tank Level Measurement03:55 Pressure Transmitters Explained05:00 Helping Customers Select the Right Instrumentation06:10 Bluetooth Device Configuration07:20 Simplifying Instrument Setup08:00 Trial Programs & Real-World Testing08:45 Flood Monitoring Applications09:00 VEGA's Most Underrated Product09:45 Pressure Measurement Applications10:30 Working with EPCs & OEMs11:20 Getting Specified Early in Projects12:00 ENTELEC 2026 Takeaways#IndustrialAutomation #OilAndGas #Instrumentation #SCADA #PressureTransmitters #RadarLevel #LevelMeasurement #ProcessAutomation #ENTELEC #EnergyTechPodcast #OperationalTechnology #OT #WaterTreatment #Manufacturing #vegan Music: Uygar Duzgun – "Fast Life"Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com

Industrial digital transformation doesn't start with AI—it starts with reliable connectivity.In this episode of the Energy Tech Podcast, recorded live at Intellic 2026, Jeff Perry and Mike Flores sit down with Huned Lohia, CEO of Clover IQ, to discuss how private 5G networks are changing industrial operations across oil & gas, chemical plants, refineries, and large industrial facilities.Rather than simply deploying wireless infrastructure, Clover IQ takes a vendor-agnostic consulting approach—helping operators understand business outcomes, site requirements, ROI, and long-term operational value before investing.Topics include:⚡ Private 5G vs traditional Wi-Fi⚡ Digital transformation in industrial facilities⚡ Rail yard wireless connectivity⚡ Vendor-agnostic network design⚡ CBRS and enterprise spectrum⚡ AI-ready infrastructure⚡ Industrial mobility⚡ Site surveys and network planning⚡ Mission-critical communications⚡ Industrial cybersecurity considerationsWhether you're an automation engineer, operations manager, OT professional, or responsible for digital transformation initiatives, this conversation provides practical insights into building industrial wireless networks that actually deliver business value.GuestHunaid LotiaCEO — Clover IQPresented by OpSite EnergyOpSite Energy provides:• 24/7 Remote Operations Centers• SCADA & Control Room Operations• Alarm Management & Rationalization• Industrial AI Solutions• Ignition Development• Digital Transformation ConsultingLearn more:https://www.opsiteenergy.com⏱ Chapters00:00 Introduction00:45 Meet Clover IQ01:28 What Clover IQ Actually Does02:09 Challenges of Industrial Connectivity03:27 Huned's Background in Telecommunications05:34 Why Oil & Gas Became Their Focus06:30 Rail Yard Wireless Use Cases07:02 Site Surveys & Vendor-Agnostic Design08:35 Serving Customers Across North America09:20 Deployment Strategy & Installation10:09 CBRS, Private 5G & Industrial Spectrum11:14 Biggest Challenges in Private 5G Adoption12:36 Understanding Mission-Critical Requirements13:15 Hidden Costs in Industrial Digital Transformation14:13 Planning Before Technology16:17 AI-Ready Infrastructure17:23 Training & AI Adoption18:20 Business Outcomes First19:26 Final Thoughts20:20 ClosingMusic: Uygar Duzgun – "Fast Life" courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com

Artificial Intelligence is rapidly changing industrial automation—and Ignition 8.3 may be one of the biggest catalysts yet.In this episode of the Energy Tech Podcast, Mike Flores sits down with Patrick Arjento, Control Systems Engineer at Claros Tech, to discuss how AI agents, Infrastructure as Code, and Ignition 8.3 are reshaping industrial engineering, SCADA development, and data center automation.They explore:⚡ AI Agents for industrial engineering⚡ Ignition 8.3 and Infrastructure as Code⚡ Accelerating SCADA development⚡ Data center power demand and AI infrastructure⚡ MQTT, DNP3, Modbus, and industrial interoperability⚡ Human-in-the-loop AI for OT⚡ CI/CD pipelines for industrial automation⚡ The future of engineering teams⚡ Digital transformation in energy and industrial operationsPatrick also shares how startups can move faster, reduce engineering effort, and safely adopt AI while maintaining reliability and cybersecurity.If you're working in SCADA, industrial automation, OT, controls engineering, AI, data centers, or energy, this conversation is packed with insights.Subscribe for more conversations with leaders across Operational Technology, SCADA, AI, Cybersecurity, Data Centers, and Industrial Automation.00:00 Introduction00:58 Patrick's background in Oil & Gas and Claros Tech02:00 From SCADA Engineer to Full-Stack Controls Engineer03:00 Why Ignition is More Than a SCADA Platform04:35 AI Driving Massive Data Center Power Demand06:20 Industrial Protocols: MQTT, Modbus & DNP308:05 AI Agents and Ignition 8.310:15 Infrastructure as Code & MCP11:20 Human-in-the-Loop AI12:05 Cost, Complexity & Cybersecurity15:35 How Claros Delivers Faster Projects16:50 Generational Shift in AI Adoption18:55 Engineering Talent Shortage20:30 Biggest Takeaways from Solar & Battery Discovery Day22:35 The Future of AI + Ignition24:45 What Customers Want Most26:00 Open Architecture & the Future of Industrial Automation27:00 Closing ThoughtsMusic: Uygar Duzgun – Fast LifeCourtesy of www.epidemicsound.com

What does it take to build an AI-ready data center?Recorded live from Inductive Automation's Data Center Discovery Day 2026, Jeff Perry and Mike Flores sit down with Arlen Nipper, President and Co-Founder of Cirrus Link and one of the original creators of MQTT.The conversation explores why the Unified Namespace (UNS) has become the foundation for modern industrial data architectures, why context matters more than raw data, and how organizations should prepare operational technology for AI.Topics include MQTT, Sparkplug, Ignition Edge, legacy protocols, data contextualization, edge computing, AI adoption, alarm analysis, and the future of real-time industrial operations.Whether you're designing industrial automation systems, operating data centers, managing SCADA infrastructure, or building AI applications for OT, this episode provides practical guidance from one of the industry's leading innovators.Topics Covered- Unified Namespace (UNS)- MQTT architecture- Sparkplug Version 4 updates- Ignition & Ignition Edge- AI readiness for industrial operations- Data contextualization- Edge computing- Legacy Modbus integration- Single Source of TruthAbout Our GuestArlen Nipper is President and Co-Founder of Cirrus Link and one of the original creators of MQTT. For decades, Arlen has helped shape industrial communications, real-time data architectures, and the evolution of Unified Namespace concepts used throughout manufacturing, energy, utilities, and now modern AI-driven data centers.Connect with OpSite Energy🌐 https://www.opsiteenergy.comFollow OpSite Energy for more conversations around:Chapters00:00 Introduction00:19 Welcome from Data Center Discovery Day01:18 Why Unified Namespace Matters02:33 Common UNS Mistakes03:05 Creating a Single Source of Truth05:22 Data Context vs Data Enrichment06:12 Legacy Protocol Challenges07:48 Managing Hundreds of Edge Nodes09:50 When AI Becomes Useful11:56 AI for Alarm Analysis & Operations13:00 Operational Blind Spots in Data Centers15:16 Biggest Integration Challenges16:42 Sparkplug Version 4 Updates19:32 Scaling Industrial Data20:37 Advice for Building a Unified Namespace22:30 Closing RemarksMusic: Uygar Duzgun / “Fast Life” courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com

What happens when traditional IT networks collide with operational technology (OT) environments?Recorded live from the ENTELEC 2026 Conference in Galveston, Texas, Jeff Perry and Mike Flores sit down with James Rizzler of Cisco Systems to discuss the accelerating convergence of IT and OT, industrial cybersecurity, AI-driven threats, and the future of connected operations.James shares Cisco's perspective on helping OT professionals navigate modern cybersecurity challenges, protecting critical infrastructure, and preparing industrial organizations for the next generation of AI-enabled operations.Topics Include:⚡ IT/OT convergence and digital transformation⚡ Industrial cybersecurity best practices⚡ AI agents and operational technology⚡ Securing connected industrial environments⚡ Cisco Cyber Vision and OT visibility⚡ Network segmentation and defense-in-depth strategies⚡ The future of the Purdue Model⚡ AI readiness for industrial organizations⚡ OT workforce development and training⚡ Cybersecurity risks in connected operations⚡ Industrial networking trends and challenges⚡ Lessons learned from major cyber incidentsWhether you're responsible for industrial networking, cybersecurity, SCADA systems, control rooms, automation, or digital transformation, this episode provides valuable insight into securing the future of connected operations.#OTSecurity #Cybersecurity #Cisco #IndustrialAutomation #SCADA #ENTELEC #OperationalTechnology #AI #IndustrialAI #Networking #CriticalInfrastructure #ControlSystems #DigitalTransformation #EnergyTechPodcastChapters00:00 Introduction and Welcome01:12 James Rizzler's Role at Cisco02:00 The Growing IT/OT Convergence03:05 Common Misconceptions Between IT and OT05:20 How Cisco Bridges IT and OT06:56 Why OT Security Matters More Than Ever08:11 Security Best Practices and Segmentation10:21 Unified Namespace vs Purdue Model12:35 ENTELEC Conference Takeaways13:24 The Need for Cybersecurity Demonstration Labs15:27 AI, AI Agents and Industrial Operations17:00 Cisco's Approach to AI Training18:57 The Future of OT Training and Workforce Development20:17 Cisco Cyber Vision and OT Visibility21:21 Connectivity and Security Challenges Ahead22:20 Closing RemarksMusic: Uygar Duzgun / “Fast Life” courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com

What happens after an alarm goes off?Recorded live at Inductive Automation's Data Center Discovery Day in Tysons, Virginia, Jeff Perry and Mike Flores sit down with Brooks Corfage, Sales & Integrator Program Lead at iGear, to discuss how operational teams can close the gap between event detection and problem resolution.Brooks shares how iGear's Squeaks platform integrates with Ignition to help organizations reduce downtime, improve response times, drive accountability, and create a digital thread around incident management. The conversation explores alarm management, mobile notifications, Microsoft Teams integration, no-code dashboards, and how AI may help optimize operational response workflows in the future.Topics Include:⚡ Reducing downtime through faster alarm response⚡ The human response layer in industrial operations⚡ How Squeaks integrates with Ignition⚡ Mobile alarm management and incident workflows⚡ Microsoft Teams integration for operational alerts⚡ Measuring response time and MTTR improvements⚡ No-code dashboards for operational teams⚡ Creating accountability through workflow automation⚡ Capturing operational data for AI analysis⚡ Improving visibility into incident resolution processes⚡ Ignition's growing technology ecosystem⚡ Future trends in operational intelligence and AI#Ignition #IndustrialAutomation #SCADA #DataCenters #OperationalTechnology #OT #MQTT #DigitalTransformation #AlarmManagement #IndustrialAI #OpsiteEnergy #EnergyTechPodcast #InductiveAutomation #iGear #squeaks Presented by OpSite Energy www.opsiteenergy.comChapters00:00 Introduction from Data Center Discovery Day00:55 Meet Brooks Corfage and iGear02:02 How iGear Fits into the Ignition Ecosystem03:39 Solving Operational Blind Spots05:26 Introducing Squeaks06:38 Alarm Management and Accountability07:41 Real-World Customer Use Cases08:40 Mobile Apps and Microsoft Teams Integration09:28 AI and Operational Response Optimization10:20 Measuring Downtime and Response Time Improvements11:33 Why Data Centers Need Better Alarm Response12:37 Key Takeaways from Data Center Discovery Day13:12 The Future of iGear and Ignition Integration14:36 Getting Started with a Proof of Concept15:24 No-Code Dashboards and Data Accessibility17:08 A Family-Built Company with a Long-Term Vision18:43 Closing RemarksMusic: Uygar Duzgun / “Fast Life” courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com

What has made ENTELEC one of the most respected organizations in the energy industry for nearly a century?Recorded live at ENTELEC 2026 in Galveston, Texas, Jeff Perry and Mike Flores sit down with ENTELEC Lifetime Member Richard Nation to discuss the history of the organization, the importance of industry mentorship, and how knowledge transfer remains critical as the energy sector embraces AI and digital transformation.Richard shares his journey in the oil and gas industry spanning more than 40 years, his first ENTELEC conference in 1984, and the lessons that have shaped generations of automation, SCADA, telecommunications, and operations professionals. The conversation explores why networking remains one of the industry's most valuable assets and how AI should be viewed as an augmentation tool rather than a replacement for experience.Topics Include:⚡ The history and origins of ENTELEC⚡ Richard Nation's 40+ year career in oil & gas⚡ Why networking creates long-term career value⚡ The evolution of automation and telecommunications⚡ Preserving institutional knowledge before it is lost⚡ The importance of mentorship in technical industries⚡ Lessons learned from nearly a century of ENTELEC history⚡ Balancing legacy systems with emerging technologies⚡ AI as an augmentation tool for industry professionals⚡ The future of ENTELEC and industry education⚡ Building community among competitors⚡ Why continuous learning remains critical in energy operationsWhether you're new to the industry or a seasoned veteran, this episode highlights why knowledge sharing, mentorship, and community remain essential to the future of energy and industrial automation.#ENTELEC #EnergyTechPodcast #OilAndGas #IndustrialAutomation #SCADA #DigitalTransformation #ArtificialIntelligence #IndustrialAI #Telecommunications #EnergyIndustry #OperationsTechnology #AutomationChapters00:00 Introduction from ENTELEC 202600:18 Meet ENTELEC Lifetime Member Richard Nation01:14 Richard's 40+ Year Career in Oil & Gas01:57 Lessons from His First ENTELEC Event in 198403:04 The Value of Networking and Industry Relationships04:03 Leadership and Service on the ENTELEC Board05:03 How Industry Learning Has Changed Over Time06:03 Preserving Knowledge Through Mentorship06:55 The Origins and History of ENTELEC08:28 The Evolution of SCADA, Automation & Telecommunications09:33 Learning from Legacy Systems and New Technology09:58 AI's Impact on the Industry11:00 AI as an Assistant, Not a Replacement12:40 Experience Versus Artificial Intelligence13:07 Richard's Vision for the Future of ENTELEC14:27 Lighting the Fire for the Next Generation15:19 ENTELEC Conferences and Industry Events17:14 Community, Learning and Opportunity17:49 Final Thoughts and Closing RemarksMusic: Uygar Duzgun / “Fast Life” courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com

What does the future of industrial data architecture look like?In this episode of the Energy Tech Podcast, recorded live from ENTELEC 2026 in Galveston, Texas, Jeff Perry and Mike Flores sit down with MQTT co-inventor and Cirrus Link President, Arlen Nipper, to discuss the evolution of MQTT, the next generation of Sparkplug, and why a Unified Namespace is becoming the foundation for AI-ready industrial operations.Topics include:⚡ The future of MQTT and Sparkplug C⚡ Native Sparkplug-enabled PLCs, RTUs and flow computers⚡ Why data centers are driving new growth opportunities⚡ The rise of the Unified Namespace (UNS)⚡ Building a true single source of truth⚡ Data quality and AI readiness⚡ Sparkplug namespace enhancements and JSON support⚡ MQTT scalability at enterprise scale⚡ Industrial AI, agents and operational intelligence⚡ Chariot MQTT Broker and edge architectures⚡ Why clustered MQTT brokers can create operational risks⚡ The future of industrial infrastructure and edge computingArlen also reflects on receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award and shares his vision for the next phase of industrial digital transformation.Whether you're involved in SCADA, industrial automation, manufacturing, oil & gas, data centers, AI initiatives, or digital transformation, this conversation is packed with insights from one of the pioneers who helped shape modern industrial communications.🎙️ Presented by OpSite Energy🎧 Subscribe for more conversations on SCADA, MQTT, AI, industrial automation, cybersecurity, digital transformation, and energy technology.Chapters00:00 Introduction from ENTELEC 202600:38 Meet MQTT Co-Inventor Arlen Nipper01:29 Data Centers and New Growth Opportunities02:19 Sparkplug Adoption Accelerates02:52 Introduction to Sparkplug 03:30 The Vision for Native Sparkplug Devices04:04 Eliminating Data Mapping and Configuration Complexity05:49 Lifetime Achievement Award Recognition06:53 Cirrus Link as Industrial Infrastructure07:52 MQTT Growth Beyond Oil & Gas09:35 Unified Namespace and Single Source of Truth11:45 Common MQTT and Sparkplug Mistakes12:47 What's New in Sparkplug C14:34 Data Engineering vs Data at the Source16:24 AI Readiness and Industrial Data Quality17:35 AI, Claude and Industrial Operations19:01 The Best Role for AI in Industrial Systems20:00 Looking Back at MQTT Design Decisions22:32 Cirrus Link's Roadmap for 202622:53 Chariot MQTT Broker in Docker23:03 Why Clustered MQTT Brokers Can Be Risky25:02 The Future of Edge-Based MQTT Architectures26:01 Closing ThoughtsMusic: Uygar Duzgun / “Fast Life” courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com

In Part 8 of the Energy Tech Podcast Control Room Management miniseries, Mike Flores and Daniel Netto discuss one of the most important CRM topics for pipeline operators: internal communication plans and manual operations during SCADA outages.This episode covers what happens when SCADA visibility is lost, why PHMSA expects operators to maintain safe pipeline operations during full or partial outages, and what a strong manual operations plan should include.Topics include:Internal communication plan requirementsManual operations during SCADA failuresPartial vs. full SCADA outagesField-to-control-room communication expectationsManual readings, valve lineups, pressure checks, and update frequencyAnnual testing requirementsTabletop drills and real-world event documentationLessons learned and CRM recordkeepingCommon audit gaps and misconceptionsIf you manage a control room, support pipeline operations, work in SCADA, or are responsible for PHMSA Control Room Management compliance, this episode provides practical guidance for building and testing a defensible internal communication and manual operations plan.00:00 Introduction to Part 8 of the CRM Miniseries01:13 What Happens When SCADA Fails?03:29 Why PHMSA Cares About Manual Operations04:46 Internal Communication Plan Requirements07:12 When to Activate the Plan09:30 What the Plan Must Cover10:46 Backup Communication Methods14:53 Field Readings, Valve Lineups, and Update Frequency18:09 Vague Plans vs. Tested Plans19:16 Can a Real Outage Count as a Test?23:48 What Inspectors Focus On25:37 Annual Testing and Tabletop Drills30:27 Field Personnel and Controller Roles34:14 Four-Step Guidance for Operators36:30 Common Misconceptions39:02 Partial Outages and Annual Test Coverage44:10 Building Better CRM Forms and Records46:34 Key Action Items47:35 Real-World Best Practices50:33 Preview of the Next Episode: Backup SCADA SystemsPresented by Opsite Energy: www.opsitenergy.comMusic: Uygar Duzgun / “Fast Life” courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com