EnergyTech Podcast

In this episode of the Energy Tech Podcast, recorded live at ENTELEC 2026 in Galveston, Texas, Mike Flores and Jeff Perry sit down with Suzette McDaniel, Executive Vice President of Global Business Development at AutoSol.Suzette shares her remarkable 32-year journey at AutoSol, from starting as a receptionist to becoming a senior executive in one of the most recognized companies in industrial automation and SCADA communications.The discussion explores the evolution of industrial technology from OPC to MQTT, the role of customer relationships in long-term business success, the growing convergence of energy, telecommunications, and data centers, and the increasing influence of women in industrial technology leadership.Topics include:✅ AutoSol's evolution over three decades✅ MQTT and modern industrial communications✅ AI's impact on industrial operations✅ ENTELEC's role in industry education and innovation✅ Energy, telecom, and data center convergence✅ Women in industrial technology leadership✅ Building professional communities and mentorship✅ Industrial automation trends for 2026 and beyond✅ AutoSol's new MQTT broker initiative✅ The future of digital transformation in OT environmentsWhether you're involved in SCADA, industrial automation, energy operations, telecommunications, OT cybersecurity, or digital transformation, this episode provides valuable insight from one of the industry's most experienced leaders.🎙️ Presented by OpSite Energy#IndustrialAutomation #SCADA #MQTT #AutoSol #ENTELEC #DigitalTransformation #EnergyTech #IndustrialIoT #OT #automation 00:00 Introduction & Welcome00:50 Suzette McDaniel's 32-Year Journey at AutoSol02:15 How Industrial Technology Has Changed02:58 AI's Growing Role in Industrial Operations03:20 ENTELEC's Impact on Industry Education05:20 Innovation Labs & Industry Collaboration06:30 What's Next for ENTELEC?07:15 Energy, Telecom & Data Center Convergence08:00 Women in Industrial Technology Leadership10:00 Building Industry Communities & Mentorship11:45 Why Diverse Perspectives Matter13:15 Leadership, Relationships & Business Development14:20 AutoSol's MQTT Broker Initiative15:00 Final Thoughts from ENTELEC 2026🎙️ Presented by OpSite Energy🌐 www.opsiteenergy.comMusic: Uygar Duzgun / “Fast Life” courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com

In this episode of the Energy Tech Podcast, recorded live at Inductive Automation's Data Center Discovery Day 2026 in Tysons, Virginia, Jeff Perry and Mike Flores sit down with Benson Hougland, Vice President of Product Strategy and Marketing at Opto 22.The discussion explores how data centers are evolving into AI factories, the growing importance of edge computing, MQTT, Unified Namespace (UNS), cybersecurity, and why contextualized data is critical for AI-driven operations.Benson shares insights from Opto 22's decades of experience in industrial automation, telecommunications, and edge computing, explaining how organizations can build scalable, secure, and AI-ready architectures.Topics include:✅ Data Centers as AI Factories✅ MQTT and Sparkplug B Architectures✅ Unified Namespace (UNS) Strategies✅ Edge Computing and Data Contextualization✅ Cybersecurity and Zero-Trust Architectures✅ Decoupled Publish-Subscribe Systems✅ AI Readiness in Industrial Operations✅ Ignition Edge and Industrial Ecosystems✅ Operational Technology (OT) and Enterprise Integration✅ Scaling Industrial Infrastructure for AIIf you're involved in industrial automation, SCADA, data centers, AI infrastructure, manufacturing, or digital transformation, this episode provides practical insights into building the next generation of operational technology architectures.🎙️ Presented by OpSite Energy🌐 Insight Driven Remote Optimization#DataCenters #AI #MQTT #UnifiedNamespace #UNS #EdgeComputing #IndustrialAutomation #SCADA #Ignition #Opto22 #IIoT #DigitalTransformation #energytechpodcast 00:00 Introduction & Data Center Discovery Day 202600:59 How Data Centers Have Changed in One Year02:06 Data Centers as AI Factories03:17 Opto 22's History in Telecom & Infrastructure05:57 MQTT Growth in Data Centers06:33 Unified Namespace & Edge Computing07:18 Data Democratization & Contextualized Data09:10 Energy, Tokens & Business Visibility10:17 Why the Edge Matters12:22 Common Edge Architecture Mistakes13:21 Decoupling Systems with MQTT15:52 Cybersecurity Benefits of Publish-Subscribe Architectures18:28 AI in Operations: Hype vs Reality20:40 Opto 22's Role in AI-Ready Infrastructure21:35 Connecting Technology to Business Outcomes22:36 The Power of Industrial Ecosystems24:16 What's Next for Opto 22?25:01 Closing RemarksMusic: Uygar Duzgun / “Fast Life” courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com

In this episode of the Energy Tech Podcast, recorded live at ENTELEC 2026, Jeff Perry and Mike Flores sit down with Mike McCabe from Nazomi Networks to discuss the growing importance of OT cybersecurity in industrial environments.The conversation explores how industrial cybersecurity has evolved over the past decade, the increasing threat from nation-state actors, and why energy operators, manufacturers, and critical infrastructure companies must rethink their OT security posture.Topics include:OT vs IT cybersecurity challengesIndustrial asset visibility and threat detectionEast-west traffic monitoring in OT networksAI and machine learning in cybersecurityProtecting critical infrastructure and industrial operationsNation-state attacks and operational disruptionDrone and wireless threat detectionAsset inventory, vulnerability management & proactive defenseAI guardrails and secure industrial AI workflowsHow Nazomi Networks approaches OT monitoring and visibilityIf you're involved in industrial operations, SCADA, energy infrastructure, manufacturing, or OT cybersecurity, this episode provides practical insights into protecting operational environments from modern threats.🎙️ Presented by OpSite Energy🎧 Subscribe for more conversations on industrial automation, OT cybersecurity, SCADA, AI, and energy technology.#OTCybersecurity #NazomiNetworks #IndustrialCybersecurity #SCADA #CriticalInfrastructure #EnergyIndustry #IndustrialAutomation #AI #OperationalTechnology #ENTELEC2026 #Cybersecurity #ICS #EnergyTechPodcastChapters00:00 – Intro from ENTELEC 202600:18 – Meet Mike McCabe from Nazomi Networks01:03 – Entering the OT cybersecurity space01:47 – When OT cybersecurity became a major priority02:26 – The real cost of operational downtime03:13 – Nation-state attacks and equipment damage04:04 – Why OT environments remain vulnerable05:10 – Where Nazomi Networks fits into OT security05:44 – Asset visibility, AI & proactive monitoring06:54 – North-south vs east-west traffic visibility08:04 – IT/OT convergence and security challenges09:03 – Real-world customer deployment examples10:32 – Proactive OT asset management10:41 – Private LTE, wireless & cloud-connected OT11:19 – Drone traffic detection and wireless threats12:12 – Nation-state cyberattack concerns13:19 – Protecting human safety through OT security14:00 – Security strategy for regional operators15:10 – Outcomes-based OT cybersecurity15:41 – Asset inventory and threat landscape visibility16:26 – AI agents and cybersecurity guardrails17:18 – How Nazomi uses AI and machine learning17:56 – AI-assisted alert triage and automation18:06 – How to get started with Nazomi Networks18:34 – Closing thoughts from ENTELEC 2026Presented by Opsite Energy: www.opsitenergy.com Music: Uygar Duzgun / “Fast Life” courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com

YouTube DescriptionIn this episode of the Energy Tech Podcast, recorded live at Inductive Automation’s Data Center Discovery Day 2026 in Tysons, Virginia, Jeff Perry and Mike Flores sit down with Travis Cox, Chief Technology Evangelist at Inductive Automation.The conversation dives deep into the future of industrial automation, Unified Namespace (UNS), edge architectures, AI-ready data, MQTT, Sparkplug B, and where Ignition is headed next with AI, orchestration, and agentic workflows.Travis shares insights into:Ignition 8.3 and modern deployment architecturesWhy AI readiness starts at the edgeThe rise of Unified Namespace in industrial systemsOT and IT convergenceKubernetes, containers, REST APIs & GitHub workflowsData orchestration and digital infrastructureAI copilots and agentic workflows for operationsHistorical data usability and context modelingWhat to expect at ICC 2026If you're involved in SCADA, industrial automation, data centers, manufacturing, OT infrastructure, or AI-enabled operations, this episode provides a high-level look at where the industry is rapidly heading.🎙️ Presented by OpSite Energy🎧 Subscribe for more conversations on industrial automation, SCADA, MQTT, AI, and operational technology.#IgnitionSCADA #InductiveAutomation #UnifiedNamespace #MQTT #SparkplugB #IndustrialAI #SCADA #EdgeComputing #IndustrialAutomation #DataCenters #OTIT #AIInfrastructure #EnergyTechPodcastChapters00:00 – Intro from Data Center Discovery Day 202600:20 – Meet Travis Cox of Inductive Automation01:08 – What changed from last year’s message02:09 – The rise of Unified Namespace (UNS)03:25 – Why AI readiness starts at the edge04:08 – Centralized SCADA vs edge architectures05:08 – MQTT, Sparkplug B & edge translation layers05:21 – Ignition 8.3 and data orchestration06:09 – Blending OT and IT technologies06:58 – GitHub, REST APIs & Kubernetes deployments07:43 – OT/IT convergence and collaboration08:07 – Biggest mistakes companies are making09:21 – When AI becomes operationally useful10:18 – AI-assisted Ignition development10:43 – Natural language interfaces for operations11:06 – Agentic workflows and predictive operations11:41 – MCP and industrial AI platforms12:18 – AI roadmap leading into ICC13:06 – Industry-specific agents vs flexible platforms14:15 – Building customizable AI agent platforms15:15 – Travis Cox’s vision for digital infrastructure16:35 – Personal takeaways from Discovery Day17:44 – “Don’t worry about data anymore” philosophy18:25 – Sneak peek at ICC 2026 announcements19:11 – Closing thoughtsPresented by Opsite Energy: www.opsitenergy.com Music: Uygar Duzgun / “Fast Life” courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com

In this episode of the Energy Tech Podcast, recorded live at ENTELEC 2026 in Galveston, Texas, Jeff Perry and Mike Flores sit down with Stuart McCone, Founder and CEO of VideoSoft.Stuart shares how VideoSoft built ultra low-bandwidth video technology designed specifically for harsh industrial environments, remote infrastructure, and mission-critical operations.The conversation dives into:Real-time video over limited bandwidth networksLow latency video for oil & gas operationsEdge video processing and compressionDrone and BVLOS video applicationsVideo AI and machine learning at the edgeOT cybersecurity and encrypted video transportSCADA, telecom, and operational network integrationHow operators can deploy video reliably in remote environmentsVideoSoft is actively supporting some of the largest critical infrastructure deployments in North America, including large-scale midstream energy operations where reliable video transport across constrained networks is essential.Topics Covered:✅ Low-bandwidth video technology✅ Critical infrastructure communications✅ BVLOS drone video✅ Edge AI video analytics✅ Operational technology (OT) networks✅ Video compression for harsh environments✅ Oil & gas telecom infrastructure✅ Cybersecurity for industrial video systems✅ Real-time video transportIf you're involved in industrial networking, SCADA, OT cybersecurity, drones, video analytics, or remote operations — this episode offers practical insight into how modern video architectures are evolving for industrial environments.🎧 Subscribe for more conversations on industrial automation, SCADA, AI, edge computing, OT cybersecurity, and energy technology innovation.#VideoSoft #IndustrialVideo #SCADA #OilAndGas #EdgeComputing #IndustrialAI #ENTELEC #Cybersecurity #BVLOS #OperationalTechnology #IndustrialAutomation #IIoT #energytechpodcast 00:00 – Introduction from ENTELEC 202600:36 – Meet Stuart McCone, Founder of VideoSoft01:06 – Building Video Technology for Harsh Environments01:58 – The Rise of IoT & Industrial Video03:09 – Solving Low Bandwidth Video Challenges03:49 – Critical Infrastructure, Latency & Terrain Challenges04:41 – Video in 24/7 Industrial Control Rooms05:32 – How VideoSoft Compresses Video at the Edge06:13 – Simplicity, Reliability & Cybersecurity07:40 – Where VideoSoft Fits in OT Architectures08:20 – “Thread Through a Straw” Video Compression Analogy09:32 – Real-World Industrial Video Use Cases10:15 – Defense, Aviation, Drones & Energy Applications10:30 – 30,000 Camera Deployment with Enterprise Products11:15 – VideoSoft Platform & Proprietary Protocols12:07 – BVLOS Drone Video & Remote Operations13:20 – Extending Drone Operations with Low Bandwidth Video14:18 – AI & Machine Learning for Industrial Video15:10 – Connecting Edge AI Detection to Operations16:42 – The Future of Automation & Video Systems17:51 – How Customers Deploy VideoSoft18:30 – Simplifying Deployment for Industrial Operators19:22 – Scaling Video Technology for Critical Infrastructure20:00 – Final Thoughts & Closing

In this episode of the Energy Tech Podcast, recorded live at Inductive Automation’s Data Center Discovery Day 2026 in Tysons, Virginia, Jeff Perry and Mike Flores sit down with Martin Villeneuve, President of Distech Controls.Martin shares how Distech Controls evolved from an open BMS innovator into a major player in the rapidly growing data center market. The conversation explores open protocols, edge AI, MQTT, Sparkplug B, Docker-based edge computing, and the convergence of HVAC, electrical systems, and industrial automation inside modern data centers.The team also discusses:Why open architecture matters in industrial systemsData center infrastructure challengesEdge compute and AI-ready building systemsSparkplug B and MQTT integrationPLC and DDC convergenceMCP (Model Context Protocol) and AI interoperabilityThe future of BMS and industrial data contextualizationHow Ignition and open-source technologies are changing the marketIf you're involved in industrial automation, data centers, BMS, SCADA, HVAC, or OT infrastructure, this episode provides a forward-looking discussion on where the industry is heading.🎙️ Presented by OpSite Energy🎧 Subscribe for more conversations on SCADA, OT, industrial automation, AI, and energy technology.#DataCenters #IgnitionSCADA #MQTT #SparkplugB #EdgeAI #IndustrialAutomation #BMS #SCADA #DataCenterInfrastructure #OTCybersecurity #BuildingAutomation #EnergyTechPodcastChapters00:00 – Intro from Data Center Discovery Day 202600:19 – Meet Martin Villeneuve of Distech Controls01:03 – Why Distech is targeting the data center market01:43 – Launching a new PLC line for data centers02:21 – Innovation and disruption in BMS technology03:06 – Open protocols vs proprietary systems03:54 – Moving fully to BACnet IP architecture05:20 – Future-proofing legacy customer systems06:26 – How Distech integrates with Ignition07:04 – Docker containers, MQTT & edge AI08:01 – Sparkplug B and open ecosystem development09:25 – Edge connectivity and legacy protocol integration10:13 – Native Sparkplug B support roadmap11:20 – Making industrial data AI-ready12:15 – Haystack, RealEstateCore & MCP explained13:18 – Open-source software and Ignition’s ecosystem14:10 – Reliability and resiliency in critical systems15:05 – Biggest blind spots in data center infrastructure16:13 – Integrating HVAC and electrical systems together17:35 – Lessons from European and Asian data centers18:16 – Closing thoughts from Data Center Discovery DayPresented by Opsite Energy: www.opsitenergy.com Music: Uygar Duzgun / “Fast Life” courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com

In this episode of the Energy Tech Podcast, recorded live at ENTELEC 2026 in Galveston, Texas, Mike Flores sits down with Mike Tilman — an edge computing innovator and OT/IT integration expert with decades of experience in oil & gas communications, industrial networking, and data infrastructure.Mike shares his journey from early IT consulting in the oilfield to supporting large-scale edge computing and data strategy initiatives for a major energy producer. The conversation dives deep into some of the biggest challenges facing industrial operators today:Unified Namespace (UNS) and contextualized dataMQTT, Sparkplug B, and edge architecturesOT vs IT integration challengesAI readiness in industrial operationsWhy “garbage in, garbage out” matters for AIData lakes, semantic models, and predictive maintenanceIndustrial cybersecurity and OT risk managementThe role of ENTELEC as a true industry communityIf you're involved in SCADA, automation, industrial networking, cybersecurity, AI, or digital transformation in energy — this episode is packed with practical insights from real-world deployments.Topics Covered:✅ Edge compute in oil & gas✅ Unified Namespace (UNS) strategies✅ MQTT & Sparkplug B architectures✅ OT cybersecurity challenges✅ AI and industrial data quality✅ Predictive maintenance & analytics✅ SCADA modernization✅ ENTELEC community insights🎧 Subscribe for more conversations on SCADA, automation, industrial AI, OT cybersecurity, and energy technology innovation.#EnergyTechPodcast #UNS #MQTT #IndustrialAI #SCADA #OilAndGas #EdgeComputing #ENTELEC #OperationalTechnology #Cybersecurity #DigitalTransformation #SparkplugB #IndustrialAutomation #OTSecurity #AI00:00 – Introduction from ENTELEC 202600:42 – Meet Mike Tilman: Edge Computing Innovator01:30 – Mike’s Background in Oil & Gas Technology02:35 – Supporting Edge Compute & Data Strategy03:10 – Bridging OT and IT Systems03:53 – Challenges of Deploying Industrial PCs in OT05:00 – Balancing Risk vs Value in New Technology06:03 – Consulting for Operators, Vendors & Integrators07:00 – Unified Namespace (UNS) Explained07:47 – Why Contextualized Data Matters for AI09:00 – Data Engineering vs Proper UNS Design10:52 – MQTT, Sparkplug B & Report-by-Exception Models11:44 – Avoiding Rip-and-Replace Architectures12:40 – Predictive Maintenance & Collecting More Data14:18 – Why AI Alone Won’t Fix Bad Data15:21 – “Garbage In, Garbage Out” for AI16:21 – AI as a Tool, Not the Solution16:56 – Top 3 Requirements for Industrial AI18:12 – Mike’s Role with ENTELEC Cybersecurity Committee18:44 – What Makes ENTELEC Different from Other Conferences19:29 – Upcoming OT Cybersecurity Webinar Initiative21:20 – The Value of ENTELEC Membership & Training22:01 – ENTELEC Fall Seminar in Odessa23:05 – Closing Thoughts & Final TakeawaysPresented by Opsite Energy: www.opsitenergy.comMusic: Uygar Duzgun / “Fast Life” courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com

In Episode 7 of the Energy Tech Podcast Control Room Management (CRM) series, Mike Flores and Daniel Nieto break down one of the most critical — and often misunderstood — requirements in pipeline operations: point-to-point verification.This episode dives into how operators ensure that SCADA data can be trusted — from the field device all the way to the control room screen. When controllers lose trust in their data, alarm response, safety, and operational integrity are all at risk.Daniel shares real-world audit experience and practical guidance on:When point-to-point verification is required (beyond just new installs)How to validate field instruments, communication paths, and SCADA displaysThe role of alarm verification and safety-related pointsCommon mistakes that lead to audit findingsHow to properly document and prove compliance during PHMSA auditsIf you're responsible for SCADA systems, control room operations, or regulatory compliance, this episode gives you a clear, actionable framework to ensure your data is accurate — and defensible.👉 Subscribe for more CRM insights and real-world operational guidance.⏱️ Chapters00:00 – Intro to CRM Series Part 7: Point-to-Point Verification00:49 – What is Point-to-Point Verification?01:17 – Why Trusting SCADA Data Matters02:06 – End-to-End Verification (Field to SCADA)03:32 – Regulatory Foundation (PHMSA 192 & 195)04:30 – Core Concept: Field Devices, Comms, and Display Alignment06:00 – Audit Expectations: What Inspectors Look For07:37 – What Does “Thorough” Mean in an Audit?08:47 – When Point-to-Point is Required (Key Triggers)10:09 – Changes That Require Verification (Scaling, Mapping, Logic)11:12 – Rule of Thumb for Triggering Point-to-Point13:18 – What a Proper Point-to-Point Process Looks Like13:58 – Communication Path & Data Refresh Rates15:52 – Tag Mapping & Naming Consistency17:13 – Alarm Verification & Setpoint Validation18:21 – Who Should Perform Point-to-Point Testing?20:34 – Using Synthetic Values When You Can’t Shut Down22:25 – Objective: Eliminate Mapping, Scaling & Logic Errors23:31 – Real-World Failure Example (Mismapped Transmitter)26:27 – Safety-Critical Points to Prioritize27:52 – Verification Requirements for Safety Logic29:43 – Documentation & Audit Evidence Requirements31:41 – Daniel’s 4-Step Compliance Framework33:35 – Tie Point-to-Point to Management of Change (MOC)34:53 – Common Misconceptions Explained35:57 – Is Point-to-Point Just Paperwork?36:37 – Do You Need to Verify Every Point?37:42 – Top 3 Takeaways for Operators & Managers40:17 – Preview of Episode 8: "When Screens Go Dark"Presented by Opsite Energy: www.opsitenergy.comMusic: Uygar Duzgun / “Fast Life” courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com

In this episode of the Energy Tech Podcast, recorded live at ENTELEC 2026 in Galveston, Texas, we sit down with Brandon Young, CEO of Midland Tower Construction.Brandon shares his journey from climbing 2,000-foot towers to leading a fast-growing infrastructure company supporting oil & gas, telecom, and data-driven operations across the U.S.We dive into how tower construction plays a critical role in modern energy infrastructure — from fiber networks and microwave communications to full EPC support and data-driven operations.We also explore the future of infrastructure, including how companies like Midland Tower are adapting to increasing data demands and the role of AI in optimizing operations.Key Topics Covered:Tower construction and infrastructure in oil & gasFiber, microwave, and network deploymentEPC partnerships and end-to-end project supportScaling operations across multiple statesData-driven operations in energyAI in infrastructure and field operationsWorkforce growth and company cultureIf you're in energy, telecom, or industrial infrastructure — this episode gives you a behind-the-scenes look at the backbone of modern operations.👉 Subscribe for more conversations from ENTELEC 2026👉 Follow OpSite Energy for insights on remote operations, SCADA, and energy tech#EnergyTech #ENTELEC2026 #OilAndGas #Telecom #Infrastructure #SCADA #AI #DigitalTransformation⏱️ Chapters (YouTube Timestamps)00:00 – Intro from ENTELEC 202600:17 – Meet Brandon Young (Midland Tower Construction)01:17 – From Tower Climber to CEO02:23 – What Midland Tower Construction Does03:26 – Geographic Footprint & Growth04:06 – Fiber, Networking & Infrastructure Work04:46 – Working with EPCs & Engineering Teams05:23 – Full Lifecycle Project Support05:58 – Company Growth: 12 to 55 Employees06:16 – Core Values & Leadership Philosophy07:21 – Integrity in Infrastructure Work08:05 – Simplifying Complexity for Customers08:49 – Technology Roadmap & Industry Trends09:16 – Data-Driven Operations in Energy09:49 – AI in Infrastructure: Tool, Not Threat10:19 – ENTELEC Experience & Industry Engagement10:31 – How to Connect with Midland Tower11:01 – Closing ThoughtsPresented by Opsite Energy: www.opsitenergy.comMusic: Uygar Duzgun / “Fast Life” courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com