EnergyTech Podcast

Opsite Energy

Energy Innovation meets Industrial Technology: There is finally a podcast that balances technical depth with real-world applicability for field teams, operations groups, and senior leaders who want to see a real return on technology , IiOT, and AI Investments

  1. 5d ago

    How Opto 22 Powers AI-Ready Data Centers with MQTT & Unified Namespace - Ep 079

    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 AI If 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 2026 00:59 How Data Centers Have Changed in One Year 02:06 Data Centers as AI Factories 03:17 Opto 22's History in Telecom & Infrastructure 05:57 MQTT Growth in Data Centers 06:33 Unified Namespace & Edge Computing 07:18 Data Democratization & Contextualized Data 09:10 Energy, Tokens & Business Visibility 10:17 Why the Edge Matters 12:22 Common Edge Architecture Mistakes 13:21 Decoupling Systems with MQTT 15:52 Cybersecurity Benefits of Publish-Subscribe Architectures 18:28 AI in Operations: Hype vs Reality 20:40 Opto 22's Role in AI-Ready Infrastructure 21:35 Connecting Technology to Business Outcomes 22:36 The Power of Industrial Ecosystems 24:16 What's Next for Opto 22? 25:01 Closing Remarks Music: Uygar Duzgun / “Fast Life” courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com

    25 min

  2. May 27

    Nazomi Networks, OT Cybersecurity & AI Threat Detection | Live at ENTELEC 2026 - Ep - 077

    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 challenges Industrial asset visibility and threat detection East-west traffic monitoring in OT networks AI and machine learning in cybersecurity Protecting critical infrastructure and industrial operations Nation-state attacks and operational disruption Drone and wireless threat detection Asset inventory, vulnerability management & proactive defense AI guardrails and secure industrial AI workflows How Nazomi Networks approaches OT monitoring and visibility If 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 #EnergyTechPodcast Chapters 00:00 – Intro from ENTELEC 2026 00:18 – Meet Mike McCabe from Nazomi Networks 01:03 – Entering the OT cybersecurity space 01:47 – When OT cybersecurity became a major priority 02:26 – The real cost of operational downtime 03:13 – Nation-state attacks and equipment damage 04:04 – Why OT environments remain vulnerable 05:10 – Where Nazomi Networks fits into OT security 05:44 – Asset visibility, AI & proactive monitoring 06:54 – North-south vs east-west traffic visibility 08:04 – IT/OT convergence and security challenges 09:03 – Real-world customer deployment examples 10:32 – Proactive OT asset management 10:41 – Private LTE, wireless & cloud-connected OT 11:19 – Drone traffic detection and wireless threats 12:12 – Nation-state cyberattack concerns 13:19 – Protecting human safety through OT security 14:00 – Security strategy for regional operators 15:10 – Outcomes-based OT cybersecurity 15:41 – Asset inventory and threat landscape visibility 16:26 – AI agents and cybersecurity guardrails 17:18 – How Nazomi uses AI and machine learning 17:56 – AI-assisted alert triage and automation 18:06 – How to get started with Nazomi Networks 18:34 – Closing thoughts from ENTELEC 2026 Presented by Opsite Energy: www.opsitenergy.com Music: Uygar Duzgun / “Fast Life” courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com

    20 min

  3. May 25

    Ignition 8.3, AI Agents & Digital Infrastructure with Travis Cox - Ep 076

    YouTube Description 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 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 architectures Why AI readiness starts at the edge The rise of Unified Namespace in industrial systems OT and IT convergence Kubernetes, containers, REST APIs & GitHub workflows Data orchestration and digital infrastructure AI copilots and agentic workflows for operations Historical data usability and context modeling What to expect at ICC 2026 If 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 #EnergyTechPodcast Chapters 00:00 – Intro from Data Center Discovery Day 2026 00:20 – Meet Travis Cox of Inductive Automation 01:08 – What changed from last year’s message 02:09 – The rise of Unified Namespace (UNS) 03:25 – Why AI readiness starts at the edge 04:08 – Centralized SCADA vs edge architectures 05:08 – MQTT, Sparkplug B & edge translation layers 05:21 – Ignition 8.3 and data orchestration 06:09 – Blending OT and IT technologies 06:58 – GitHub, REST APIs & Kubernetes deployments 07:43 – OT/IT convergence and collaboration 08:07 – Biggest mistakes companies are making 09:21 – When AI becomes operationally useful 10:18 – AI-assisted Ignition development 10:43 – Natural language interfaces for operations 11:06 – Agentic workflows and predictive operations 11:41 – MCP and industrial AI platforms 12:18 – AI roadmap leading into ICC 13:06 – Industry-specific agents vs flexible platforms 14:15 – Building customizable AI agent platforms 15:15 – Travis Cox’s vision for digital infrastructure 16:35 – Personal takeaways from Discovery Day 17:44 – “Don’t worry about data anymore” philosophy 18:25 – Sneak peek at ICC 2026 announcements 19:11 – Closing thoughts Presented by Opsite Energy: www.opsitenergy.com Music: Uygar Duzgun / “Fast Life” courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com

    20 min

  4. May 20

    Low Bandwidth Video for Critical Infrastructure | Stuart McCone of VideoSoft at ENTELEC - Ep 075

    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 networks Low latency video for oil & gas operations Edge video processing and compression Drone and BVLOS video applications Video AI and machine learning at the edge OT cybersecurity and encrypted video transport SCADA, telecom, and operational network integration How operators can deploy video reliably in remote environments VideoSoft 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 transport If 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 2026 00:36 – Meet Stuart McCone, Founder of VideoSoft 01:06 – Building Video Technology for Harsh Environments 01:58 – The Rise of IoT & Industrial Video 03:09 – Solving Low Bandwidth Video Challenges 03:49 – Critical Infrastructure, Latency & Terrain Challenges 04:41 – Video in 24/7 Industrial Control Rooms 05:32 – How VideoSoft Compresses Video at the Edge 06:13 – Simplicity, Reliability & Cybersecurity 07:40 – Where VideoSoft Fits in OT Architectures 08:20 – “Thread Through a Straw” Video Compression Analogy 09:32 – Real-World Industrial Video Use Cases 10:15 – Defense, Aviation, Drones & Energy Applications 10:30 – 30,000 Camera Deployment with Enterprise Products 11:15 – VideoSoft Platform & Proprietary Protocols 12:07 – BVLOS Drone Video & Remote Operations 13:20 – Extending Drone Operations with Low Bandwidth Video 14:18 – AI & Machine Learning for Industrial Video 15:10 – Connecting Edge AI Detection to Operations 16:42 – The Future of Automation & Video Systems 17:51 – How Customers Deploy VideoSoft 18:30 – Simplifying Deployment for Industrial Operators 19:22 – Scaling Video Technology for Critical Infrastructure 20:00 – Final Thoughts & Closing

    21 min

  5. May 18

    Open BMS, AI at the Edge & Data Center Innovation | Martin Villeneuve of Distech Controls - Ep 074

    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 systems Data center infrastructure challenges Edge compute and AI-ready building systems Sparkplug B and MQTT integration PLC and DDC convergence MCP (Model Context Protocol) and AI interoperability The future of BMS and industrial data contextualization How Ignition and open-source technologies are changing the market If 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 #EnergyTechPodcast Chapters 00:00 – Intro from Data Center Discovery Day 2026 00:19 – Meet Martin Villeneuve of Distech Controls 01:03 – Why Distech is targeting the data center market 01:43 – Launching a new PLC line for data centers 02:21 – Innovation and disruption in BMS technology 03:06 – Open protocols vs proprietary systems 03:54 – Moving fully to BACnet IP architecture 05:20 – Future-proofing legacy customer systems 06:26 – How Distech integrates with Ignition 07:04 – Docker containers, MQTT & edge AI 08:01 – Sparkplug B and open ecosystem development 09:25 – Edge connectivity and legacy protocol integration 10:13 – Native Sparkplug B support roadmap 11:20 – Making industrial data AI-ready 12:15 – Haystack, RealEstateCore & MCP explained 13:18 – Open-source software and Ignition’s ecosystem 14:10 – Reliability and resiliency in critical systems 15:05 – Biggest blind spots in data center infrastructure 16:13 – Integrating HVAC and electrical systems together 17:35 – Lessons from European and Asian data centers 18:16 – Closing thoughts from Data Center Discovery Day Presented by Opsite Energy: www.opsitenergy.com Music: Uygar Duzgun / “Fast Life” courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com

    19 min

  6. May 10

    Industrial AI Starts with Better Data | Mike Tilman on Edge Computing & UNS - Ep. 073

    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 data MQTT, Sparkplug B, and edge architectures OT vs IT integration challenges AI readiness in industrial operations Why “garbage in, garbage out” matters for AI Data lakes, semantic models, and predictive maintenance Industrial cybersecurity and OT risk management The role of ENTELEC as a true industry community If 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 #AI 00:00 – Introduction from ENTELEC 2026 00:42 – Meet Mike Tilman: Edge Computing Innovator 01:30 – Mike’s Background in Oil & Gas Technology 02:35 – Supporting Edge Compute & Data Strategy 03:10 – Bridging OT and IT Systems 03:53 – Challenges of Deploying Industrial PCs in OT 05:00 – Balancing Risk vs Value in New Technology 06:03 – Consulting for Operators, Vendors & Integrators 07:00 – Unified Namespace (UNS) Explained 07:47 – Why Contextualized Data Matters for AI 09:00 – Data Engineering vs Proper UNS Design 10:52 – MQTT, Sparkplug B & Report-by-Exception Models 11:44 – Avoiding Rip-and-Replace Architectures 12:40 – Predictive Maintenance & Collecting More Data 14:18 – Why AI Alone Won’t Fix Bad Data 15:21 – “Garbage In, Garbage Out” for AI 16:21 – AI as a Tool, Not the Solution 16:56 – Top 3 Requirements for Industrial AI 18:12 – Mike’s Role with ENTELEC Cybersecurity Committee 18:44 – What Makes ENTELEC Different from Other Conferences 19:29 – Upcoming OT Cybersecurity Webinar Initiative 21:20 – The Value of ENTELEC Membership & Training 22:01 – ENTELEC Fall Seminar in Odessa 23:05 – Closing Thoughts & Final Takeaways Presented by Opsite Energy: www.opsitenergy.com Music: Uygar Duzgun / “Fast Life” courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com

    24 min

  7. May 6

    PHMSA Control Room Management Series - Part VII Point To Point Verification - Ep 072

    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 displays The role of alarm verification and safety-related points Common mistakes that lead to audit findings How to properly document and prove compliance during PHMSA audits If 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. ⏱️ Chapters 00:00 – Intro to CRM Series Part 7: Point-to-Point Verification 00:49 – What is Point-to-Point Verification? 01:17 – Why Trusting SCADA Data Matters 02:06 – End-to-End Verification (Field to SCADA) 03:32 – Regulatory Foundation (PHMSA 192 & 195) 04:30 – Core Concept: Field Devices, Comms, and Display Alignment 06:00 – Audit Expectations: What Inspectors Look For 07:37 – 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-Point 13:18 – What a Proper Point-to-Point Process Looks Like 13:58 – Communication Path & Data Refresh Rates 15:52 – Tag Mapping & Naming Consistency 17:13 – Alarm Verification & Setpoint Validation 18:21 – Who Should Perform Point-to-Point Testing? 20:34 – Using Synthetic Values When You Can’t Shut Down 22:25 – Objective: Eliminate Mapping, Scaling & Logic Errors 23:31 – Real-World Failure Example (Mismapped Transmitter) 26:27 – Safety-Critical Points to Prioritize 27:52 – Verification Requirements for Safety Logic 29:43 – Documentation & Audit Evidence Requirements 31:41 – Daniel’s 4-Step Compliance Framework 33:35 – Tie Point-to-Point to Management of Change (MOC) 34:53 – Common Misconceptions Explained 35:57 – Is Point-to-Point Just Paperwork? 36:37 – Do You Need to Verify Every Point? 37:42 – Top 3 Takeaways for Operators & Managers 40:17 – Preview of Episode 8: "When Screens Go Dark" Presented by Opsite Energy: www.opsitenergy.com Music: Uygar Duzgun / “Fast Life” courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com

    42 min

  8. May 4

    Tower Construction, Data Infrastructure & AI in Energy | Brandon Young | Midland Tower - Ep 071

    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 & gas Fiber, microwave, and network deployment EPC partnerships and end-to-end project support Scaling operations across multiple states Data-driven operations in energy AI in infrastructure and field operations Workforce growth and company culture If 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 2026 00:17 – Meet Brandon Young (Midland Tower Construction) 01:17 – From Tower Climber to CEO 02:23 – What Midland Tower Construction Does 03:26 – Geographic Footprint & Growth 04:06 – Fiber, Networking & Infrastructure Work 04:46 – Working with EPCs & Engineering Teams 05:23 – Full Lifecycle Project Support 05:58 – Company Growth: 12 to 55 Employees 06:16 – Core Values & Leadership Philosophy 07:21 – Integrity in Infrastructure Work 08:05 – Simplifying Complexity for Customers 08:49 – Technology Roadmap & Industry Trends 09:16 – Data-Driven Operations in Energy 09:49 – AI in Infrastructure: Tool, Not Threat 10:19 – ENTELEC Experience & Industry Engagement 10:31 – How to Connect with Midland Tower 11:01 – Closing Thoughts Presented by Opsite Energy: www.opsitenergy.com Music: Uygar Duzgun / “Fast Life” courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com

    11 min
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Ratings & Reviews

4.5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Energy Innovation meets Industrial Technology: There is finally a podcast that balances technical depth with real-world applicability for field teams, operations groups, and senior leaders who want to see a real return on technology , IiOT, and AI Investments

Information

  • Creator
    Opsite Energy
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    74
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    EnergyTech Podcast