Live from Ignition ICC 2025 in Sacramento!In this episode, we sit down with Rene Gamero, Industry 4.0 Executive at Opto 22, to unpack what modern edge computing really looks like across energy, distributed generation, and industrial operations.We dig into Opto 22’s long relationship with Inductive Automation, what makes Groov EPIC a true IPC + PLC + HMI platform, and why energy operators—from oil & gas to solar and battery storage—are rapidly adopting an edge-first architecture.Rene breaks down:- Why edge computing is gaining massive traction in oil & gas- The three pillars operators care about: cost, complexity & cybersecurity- How Opto 22 simplifies UDT structure, MQTT/Sparkplug, and standardization- Real-world case study: Half-gigawatt distributed solar deployment across Chile- Why Groov EPIC’s long-term form factor commitment (20+ years) matters- How Opto22’s learning kits and training accelerate POCs and modernizations- ICC 2025 insights: Ignite 8.3 momentum, Prove-It sessions, and community growth- If you’re evaluating edge solutions, upgrading legacy PLC infrastructure, or considering MQTT/UNS architectures with Ignition, this is a must-watch.LinksOpto 22 Website: https://www.opto22.comEnergy Tech Podcast (YouTube): https://youtube.com/@EnergyTechPodcastIgnition ICC: https://inductiveautomation.com/icc⏱️ CHAPTERS00:00 – Intro00:10 – Welcome to the Energy Tech Podcast00:26 – Live at ICC 2025 in Sacramento00:47 – Guest intro: Rene Gamero, Opto 2201:12 – What Rene does at Opto22 & global coverage01:55 – Opto22 + Inductive Automation partnership03:00 – ICC 2025 momentum, growth & first-time attendees04:10 – Why podcasts matter at ICC05:20 – Edge computing in oil & gas06:30 – ICC “level up”: venue, 8.3 release, Prove It sessions07:40 – Energy industry modernization outlook08:45 – Where Opto22 fits: Edge, UDT structure & standardization09:50 – How Opto22 trains OT teams11:00 – Deep dive: Groov EPIC = IPC + PLC + HMI12:40 – Hardware simplicity & expandability14:30 – The “lightbulb moment”: realizing EPIC is a full platform15:20 – Cost, complexity & cybersecurity pillars17:00 – SIL & safety considerations18:45 – Reducing complexity across mixed vendor environments20:20 – Cybersecurity built into EPIC from day one22:10 – Distributed energy case study (Chile solar fleet)24:40 – Standardizing remote generation sites25:40 – Final thoughts & discount for Energy Tech listeners26:05 – Closing remarks – Like & SubscribeMusic: Uygar Duzgun / “Fast Life” / courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com