Keeping a multi-billion-euro offshore wind operation connected is no small task. In this episode, we speak with Michael Mikkelsen, Head of SCADA and Communication Systems at Ørsted, about the critical role of mission-critical communications in powering the world’s largest offshore wind producer.

What does it take to maintain safe, reliable and efficient energy production when your infrastructure is remote, exposed to extreme conditions, and expected to operate for decades? 

We dive into Ørsted’s communications strategy to uncover how TETRA and LTE keep turbines, substations and control rooms seamlessly linked, while balancing cost, resilience and environmental goals.

From harsh offshore environments and hybrid network design to long-term cost management and sustainability, Michael shares the insights and lessons behind Ørsted’s approach to building a future-proof critical communications network.

Listen in to discover:

• Comms in complex, safety-critical environments
• Offshore radio infrastructure and hybrid network architecture
• Resilience, system uptime, and risk mitigation
• Managing costs in long-term industrial deployments
• Sustainability and the future of green communications

This isn’t just a technical deep dive. It’s a rare look inside one of the world’s most advanced renewable energy operations - and the invisible systems that keep it running.

Michael's privileged insider perspective makes compelling listening. We hope you will enjoy the episode.  

Timeline:
00:00 Introduction
03:25 Comms in energy operations
08:34  Resilience in harsh environments
18:01 Cost, efficiency & total ownership
23:29  Sustainability and comms strategy
30:47 Lessons, leadership & future direction
38:15 Wrap-up 

Michael Mikkelsen is Head of SCADA and Communication Systems at Ørsted, the world’s largest offshore wind producer. With more than a decade of experience at Ørsted—and several years before that as a contractor delivering early-stage communication systems for the company’s first large offshore wind farms—Michael has been at the forefront of building and scaling mission-critical radio networks for renewable energy operations. Starting as a radio engineer in 2015 and becoming Head of Radio Communications in 2018, he has led the development of robust TETRA and LTE solutions to support Ørsted’s rapidly expanding global infrastructure. Today, he oversees the broader integration of SCADA and communications, ensuring safe, reliable and efficient operations across some of the world’s most challenging environments.