Join Mark Smith on the Empirical Energy Podcast as he explores the cutting-edge world of blockchain-powered zero trust networking with Hans Rempel, founder of Diode. In this deep-dive episode, discover how blockchain technology is revolutionizing industrial cybersecurity and secure communications for critical infrastructure.

Short Description: Hans Rempel from Diode explains how blockchain technology transforms traditional VPN limitations into provably secure, permissionless communication networks for industrial facilities and IoT devices.

Tune in for insights on:

• Blockchain-anchored network definitions and access control

• Zero trust networking vs traditional VPN security models

• Permissionless secure communications for industrial IoT

• Mathematical ownership of network access control lists

• Self-custody security models inspired by cryptocurrency principles

• Provable data provenance for critical infrastructure

• Autonomous AI agent network provisioning challenges

• Clean Connect architecture optimization with Diode integration

Key Takeaways:

• Traditional VPNs require opening firewall ports and complex multi-system configuration management

• Zero trust networking uses bridging servers but introduces new vendor trust dependencies

• Blockchain eliminates man-in-the-middle attacks by putting access control lists on immutable ledgers

• Self-custody network definitions give facility owners mathematical control over their security

• Permissionless networks allow adding trusted nodes without vendor dependency

• Autonomous AI agents will require automated network provisioning at scale

• Provable data provenance enables complete audit trails from sensor to final energy attribution

Chapters:

00:00 - Intro

01:30 - Hans Rempel Background and Diode Company Origins

04:15 - Internet of Things vs Secure Inbound Communications

06:45 - Traditional VPN Limitations and Security Challenges

09:20 - Zero Trust Networking and Bridging Server Concepts

11:40 - Blockchain Integration for Provably Secure Networks

14:25 - Self-Custody Security Models and Mathematical Ownership

17:10 - Clean Connect Architecture Analysis and Diode Implementation

20:35 - Permissionless Network Nodes and IP Address Control

22:50 - Future of Autonomous AI Agents and Network Automation

24:15 – Outro

Quote of the Show: "We want to give the owner the facility owner or Clean Connect, we want to give you mathematical ownership of that access control list."

Don't forget to subscribe to the Empirical Energy Podcast for more insights into the intersection of energy, AI, and blockchain technology. Like this episode if you found Hans's explanation of blockchain zero trust networking valuable, and share it with anyone working in industrial cybersecurity or critical infrastructure protection.

#blockchain #zerotrust #cybersecurity #industrialiot #networking #vpn #criticalinfrastructure #energysecurity #cleanconnect #diode #autonomousai #provenance #selfcustody #permissionless #empiricalenergy

: In this groundbreaking inaugural episode of the Empirical Energy Podcast, host Mark Smith sits down with Shane Foster from Gunvor Group to explore the revolutionary world of empirical natural gas and how it's transforming the energy trading landscape. This comprehensive discussion reveals how traditional energy trading is evolving through cutting-edge technology, blockchain innovation, and empirical measurement to create scalable carbon reduction solutions.

Short description: Shane Foster, leading energy transition efforts at Gunvor Group, discusses how empirical natural gas measurement and ISCC certification are creating new scalable pathways for corporate carbon reduction goals, combining traditional energy trading expertise with breakthrough technology.

Tune in inside:

• Empirical natural gas measurement and certification
• ISCC Plus feedstock blending protocols
• Environmental Attribute Certificates (EACs) as tradeable assets
• Microsoft's carbon reduction challenges and industry-wide scaling issues
• Blockchain-based energy trading and NFT integration
• Virtual vs physical delivery mechanisms
• Mass balance methodology and ISO 14067 standards

Take aways:

• Traditional RNG alone cannot meet corporate carbon reduction goals at scale due to limited volume and high costs
• Empirical natural gas offers 20-25% emissions reduction at single-digit percentage premium over standard natural gas
• ISCC certification enables book and claim trading, allowing geographic flexibility for carbon savings
• EACs function as birth certificates for energy, creating new tradeable asset classes
• Combining empirical natural gas with RNG through feedstock blending can achieve net-zero CI scores
• Blockchain technology enables automated, transparent trading of environmental attributes
• The solution is available today, reliable, and affordable compared to futuristic carbon removal technologies

Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Guest Background

02:30 Gunvor Group Overview and Energy Trading Operations

05:45 Energy Transition Focus and Empirical Natural Gas Introduction

09:15 The Scale Challenge: Why RNG Alone Isn't Enough

12:30 Microsoft Case Study: Corporate Carbon Reduction Reality

15:20 ISCC Certification and Feedstock Blending Explained

19:45 Understanding Environmental Attribute Certificates (EACs)

23:10 Book and Claim vs Physical Delivery Models

26:40 Empirical Gas Measurement and Mass Balance Methodology

30:25 Creating Net Zero Gas Through Blending

33:50 Benefits for Producers and Automated EAC Generation

37:15 Buyer Advantages and Scalability Solutions

40:30 Blockchain Integration and NFT-based Trading

43:20 Market Growth and Trader Accessibility

46:45 Future of Empirical Energy Ecosystem

49:30 Closing Thoughts and Industry Impact

Quote of the show: "Working with an experienced energy trader to create a new asset class, a new product, a new ecosystem has been fantastic because you're teaching us how it's done, but you've been super open to bringing on all this new technology."

Don't forget to subscribe to the Empirical Energy Podcast for more insights into the future of energy trading and carbon reduction technologies. Like this episode if you found it valuable and share it with others in the energy industry who need to understand these revolutionary developments.

#EmpiricalEnergy #EnergyTrading #CarbonReduction #NaturalGas #ISCC #Blockchain #RNG #EnvironmentalAttributeCertificates #EAC #GunvorGroup #Sustainability #CleanEnergy #EnergyTransition #CarbonNeutral #MassBalance #ISO14067

Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! Welcome to the very first episode of The Empirical Energy Podcast, where host Mark Smith introduces a revolutionary approach to energy trading that's transforming global markets through scientific measurement and blockchain technology.

Tune in inside:

• Empirical energy measurement vs. outdated emission factors

• Blockchain-powered energy trading platforms

• AI integration in energy production monitoring

• MMRVT framework (Monitoring, Measuring, Reporting, Verifying, Trading)

• Premium pricing opportunities for verified energy

• International trading standards (ISO 14067, ISCC)

• Energy Attribute Certificates (EACs) as NFTs

• Case studies from real clients like Pure West Energy and Gunvor

Key Takeaways:

• Empirical measurement replaces subjective emission factors in energy trading

• Market-driven standards are ahead of regulatory frameworks by years

• AI, blockchain, and measurement technologies create new premium pricing opportunities

• Early adopters are sharing knowledge to scale the empirical energy movement

• This approach could end energy-related geopolitical conflicts through objective measurement

• The podcast serves as research for Mark's upcoming book "Empirical Energy"

Chapters:

00:00 - Introduction to The Empirical Energy Podcast

02:30 - What is Empirical Energy and Why It Matters

08:15 - The Problem with Current Energy Trading Systems

15:20 - How Empirical Measurement Gamifies Energy Production

22:45 - Building an Ecosystem: Producers, Traders, and Experts

28:30 - Mark Smith's Origin Story: From Painting Houses to Solving Big Problems

35:45 - Contact Information and How to Get Involved

Quote of the Show:

"Let's measure all the energy and let it compete based on that

empirical measurement. This will literally end wars."

Subscribe to The Empirical Energy Podcast for cutting-edge insights into

the future of energy trading! Like this episode if you're ready to be part of the energy revolution, and share it with anyone in the energy, trading, or sustainability space. Join the conversation in the comments below!

#EmpiricalEnergy #EnergyTrading #Blockchain #AI #CleanTech #EnergyMarkets #Sustainability #Innovation #CleanConnect #EnergyMeasurement

Welcome to The Empirical Energy Podcast, where we blow open the silent revolution rewriting the rules of global energy markets. Measured, verified energy is no longer an alternative—it's becoming the gold standard. This groundbreaking series takes you inside the raw mechanics of how verification technologies and blockchain-fueled trading are dismantling old systems and creating a future where empirical energy doesn't just compete, it dominates.

The energy industry is experiencing its most dramatic transformation in decades. Traditional trading models are giving way to verified, transparent systems that reward measurable sustainability and authentic carbon reduction. The Empirical Energy Podcast showcases the producers, traders, consultants, and industry renegades driving this seismic shift, revealing how verification standards and cutting-edge technologies are creating unprecedented opportunities in energy markets.

Our podcast is essential listening for energy professionals, investors, and sustainability leaders who want to master blockchain-verified trading, capitalize on premium pricing for certified commodities, implement MMRV technologies, navigate evolving regulatory landscapes, scale empirical energy solutions, and position themselves at the forefront of the energy transition.

Every episode delivers insider perspectives from the pioneers reshaping energy markets. Our diverse guest roster spans the entire empirical energy ecosystem, from C-suite executives at leading energy producers to traders at global trading houses, verification specialists setting industry standards, and innovation scouts connecting breakthrough technologies with market opportunities.

Featured Topics Include: Blockchain-verified energy trading and transparent transaction systems, premium pricing strategies for measured commodities, MMRV technologies and AI-powered verification platforms, carbon-neutral certification standards and pathways, regulatory trends driving empirical measurement adoption, alternative energy market valuation models, trading desk adaptation to certified molecules, and scaling solutions for empirical energy markets.

Personal Leadership Insights: Career journeys in the evolving energy sector, decision-making frameworks for high-stakes energy investments, overcoming industry challenges and market disruptions, building teams that bridge traditional energy and emerging technologies, and the strategic mindset required to lead during energy transformation.

• C-Suite Executives from leading energy producers driving verified energy initiatives
• Global Energy Traders and LNG Desk Heads specializing in certified molecules
• Production Operations Leaders implementing MMRV technologies at scale
• Origination Managers scouting and structuring empirical energy deals
• Verification Specialists and Technical Directors overseeing ISO and ISCC audits
• Carbon Market Analysts tracking premium pricing and market dynamics
• Energy Transition Authors and industry thought leaders
• Innovation Scouts connecting breakthrough technologies with market applications

Whether you're an energy executive navigating market transformation, a trader adapting to certified commodities, or an investor seeking opportunities in verified energy markets, The Empirical Energy Podcast delivers the insider knowledge and strategic insights you need to thrive in the empirical energy revolution.