Alan Ross with APC Media

Scott MacKenzie and Alan Ross discuss the five elements of successful companies: education, collaboration, innovation, culture investment, and communication. They highlight the importance of trust and innovation in the power industry, noting Siemens' leadership. Ross emphasizes the need for condition-based maintenance and the formation of the Safety and Reliability Association (SARA) to address electrical safety and reliability. He also discusses the impact of renewable energy on the grid and the importance of promoting women in the industry. The conversation concludes with a call to action for industry professionals to engage with SARA and download free resources from Industrial Talk.

Action Items

• [ ] Reach out to Alan Ross (alan.ross@apc.media) to learn more about SARA and get involved.
• [ ] Download the free ebook and workbook from industrial talk.
• [ ] Explore the Siemens website (siemens.com) to learn about their smart infrastructure and grid software solutions.

Outline

Introduction and Podcast Overview

• Scott MacKenzie introduces the Industrial Talk podcast, emphasizing its focus on industry professionals and their innovations.
• Scott mentions a free ebook and workbook available on Industrial Talk, highlighting five elements of successful companies: education, collaboration, innovation, culture investment, and effective communication.
• Scott MacKenzie, describing him as a passionate industry professional dedicated to sharing innovations and trends.
• Scott MacKenzie thanks listeners for their support and celebrates industry professionals for their boldness, bravery, and problem-solving skills.

Welcome to Distribute Tech and Siemens Sponsorship

• Scott MacKenzie welcomes listeners to Distribute Tech in Dallas, Texas, sponsored by Siemens Smart Infrastructure and Grid Software.
• Scott and Alan Ross discuss their excitement about being at the event and their recent podcast appearances.
• Scott and Alan Ross share light-hearted banter about their appearances and the importance of looking dapper in the industry.
• Scott and Alan Ross discuss the busy nature of the event and the importance of smaller vendors in the industry.

Discussion on Trust and Innovation in the Power Industry

• Scott MacKenzie expresses concerns about finding trusted individuals in the renaissance of technology and innovation in the power generation and utilities sectors.
• Alan Ross emphasizes the trustworthiness and character of people in the power industry, highlighting Siemens as a highly innovative company.
• Alan Ross shares a saying about Siemens, “No one ever got fired for buying from Siemens,” and discusses the consolidation of major players in the industry.
• Alan Ross explains the shift from transactional sales to problem-solving and the importance of listening to customer needs.

Renaissance in the Power Industry and Travel Opportunities

• Alan Ross discusses the renaissance in the industrial, commercial, and utility power industry, noting its global impact.
• Scott MacKenzie and Alan Ross talk about the travel opportunities in the industry and the exciting challenges it presents.
• Alan Ross shares insights about his company, APC Media, and its operations in Croatia, highlighting the European tilt of their operations.
• Alan Ross provides statistics about their readership, including the mix of professionals and the focus on various aspects of the power industry.

Promoting Women in the Power Industry

• Speaker 3 discusses the importance of promoting women in the power industry and the challenges they face.
• Scott MacKenzie and Speaker 3 talk about the Women in Clean Tech event they sponsored and the profile of women in power systems.
• Alan Ross shares examples of women in significant positions of authority in the industry, emphasizing the need for more promotion and recognition.
• Scott MacKenzie and Speaker 3 discuss the demand for individuals in the industry and the role of women in meeting this demand.

Formation of the Safety and Reliability Association

• Alan Ross shares the story of forming the Safety and Reliability Association (SARA) after retiring from the Electric Power Reliability Alliance (EPRA).
• The new organization aims to focus on electrical and mechanical safety and reliability, addressing the needs of the changing industry.
• Alan Ross explains the board members and their roles, highlighting the importance of practical knowledge and better practices.
• The first working group of SARA is focused on creating a gap analysis for implementing an Electrical Maintenance Program (EMP).

Condition-Based Maintenance and Electrical Asset Management

• Scott MacKenzie and Alan Ross discuss the shift from time-based to condition-based maintenance for electrical assets.
• Alan Ross explains the benefits of using data to identify and address issues in electrical equipment, saving time and money.
• The importance of proactive maintenance to prevent equipment failure and improve overall reliability is emphasized.
• Alan Ross highlights the impact of renewable energy sources on the grid and the need for clean power to avoid aging equipment prematurely.

Impact of Renewable Energy on the Grid

• Alan Ross discusses the challenges posed by the influx of renewable energy sources and the need for clean power.
• The conversion of DC power from renewable sources to AC for the grid introduces transients and harmonics that can impact industrial and commercial systems.
• The importance of microgrids and the role of industrials and data centers in generating and managing power is highlighted.
• Alan Ross emphasizes the need for an EMP program to address these challenges and improve the reliability and safety of electrical systems.

Conclusion and Contact Information

• Scott MacKenzie thanks Alan Ross for the conversation and highlights his influence and contributions to the industry.
• Alan Ross provides his contact information for those interested in connecting with him or learning more about SARA.
• Scott MacKenzie encourages listeners to reach out to Alan Ross and to download the free ebook and workbook available on Industrial Talk.
• The podcast concludes with a reminder of the event sponsor, Siemens, and an invitation to stay tuned for future conversations.