Todd Walden is a seasoned public relations consultant, technical writer, and industry blogger specializing in industrial automation, AI integration, digital transformation, and process optimization for the manufacturing sector. With a robust background in information technology, control systems, sustainable energy solutions, and reliability engineering, With more than 20 years of technology expertise, Todd contributes insights to Emerson Automation Experts on topics like edge-based AI, zero-trust cybersecurity in OT environments, and modernizing power generation and life sciences/biotechnology. Based in the Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area, he currently helps drive innovation in automation and operational excellence.
Modern society is facing two complex challenges emerging in parallel. On one hand, electrification around the globe is expanding at a mind-blowing rate. AI, personal electronics, electric vehicles, and more have dramatically increased energy consumption, and there...
There is more pressure than ever on power generation companies to increase output, and many organizations are finding that the best way to do so is to find new, nontraditional ways to accomplish increased throughput. As a result, the world is seeing a major shift in...
There is no shortage of content these days covering the rapid rise of artificial intelligence (AI), both in the world in general and across industrial manufacturing. AI is exciting, and will unquestionably create a paradigm shift in decision making, industrial...
For years, digital transformation seemed to stagnate. Operational technology (OT) teams were implementing new sensing devices and software, and collecting massive amounts of data, but they had trouble turning that data into actionable information. In some cases, that...
In his recent article in Power magazine, Emerson’s Mike Ames shared that the power industry, historically, hasn’t typically been a source of sweeping changes. However, recent events have changed that trend: “As the steady state behavior in power grid’s generation,...
It is becoming increasingly clear that no organization is safe from cybersecurity risk. Operational technology (OT) assets are increasingly proving to be appealing targets for malicious entities, evidenced by many high-profile attacks in recent years. Further...
Wind power is an incredibly efficient, clean source of energy—and it’s one that has been in use for a very long time. As a result, nearly everywhere around the globe it is possible to see wide open spaces dotted with wind turbines providing electricity to the grid. As...
The global experienced workforce shortage in process manufacturing comes as no surprise to anyone. Industry has been predicting an expertise cliff for years if not decades, and it’s finally here. But what people didn’t anticipate quite as clearly was the parallel...
For as little attention as it gets, hydro generation is a surprisingly important part of global power infrastructure. Many of the most critical sites around the world have been in operation for decades, reliably generating energy and supplying water management for...
In the last few years, life sciences innovation has jumped by leaps and bounds. Many of the emerging autologous, patient-specific therapies being released are accomplishing things the general public never thought would be possible. These autologous treatments are...
What happens in industrial automation when control is no longer enough? It’s highly likely we will soon find out. After all, the rigid, siloed control structures of the past—built to implement deterministic boundaries—no longer serve the needs of an increasingly...
Driving the reliability necessary to compete in the modern process manufacturing marketplace is more challenging than ever. Once upon a time, reliability teams could rely on expert personnel to regularly walk the plant and keep an eye and ear out for where machines...
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