Gridlocked: The Energy Dilemma

Episode 1: Wired for Impact — Miguel Duarte (Hitachi Energy) on Reshoring, Lean Ops & the Future of Infrastructure

In this high-voltage kickoff episode of Gridlocked: The Energy Dilemma, Miguel Duarte, Director of Operations at Hitachi Energy, reveals what it takes to power the backbone of today’s digital economy—from transformers behind data centers to the rebirth of U.S. manufacturing. Miguel dives deep into the realities of reshoring post-COVID, building resilient supply chains, and running lean operations at scale—all while serving tech giants like Meta and Google. You’ll hear how Hitachi Energy is tackling the massive demand for smart, sustainable infrastructure and why energy management is no longer just an industrial concern—it’s a strategic advantage. Whether you're in manufacturing, energy, tech, or just curious about what keeps the lights on, this episode is packed with insights that spark big-picture thinking. WHAT YOU’LL LEARN: * Why Reshoring Is a Long-Term Win: Bringing manufacturing back to the U.S. isn't just patriotic—it's profitable. * The Power of Lean Manufacturing: Real-world examples of waste reduction, simplification, and operational agility. * How Data Centers Are Reshaping the Grid: What the East Coast boom means for energy infrastructure. * Lessons from the Auto Industry: What transformers and Teslas have in common. * The ROI of Resilience: How longer-lasting, cooler-running equipment becomes a market differentiator. * Future-Proofing Through Energy Efficiency: Why smart design leads to sustainable success. QUICK TAKEAWAYS: * Reshoring creates speed, control, and competitive edge * Lean operations drive clarity, savings, and reliability * Smart infrastructure starts with smart people * The energy behind innovation is just as important as the innovation itself LISTEN NOW: Spotify | Apple Podcasts CONNECT WITH MIGUEL & HITACHI ENERGY: * LinkedIn – Miguel Duarte [https://linkedin.com/in/miguel-r-duarte-bb8aa129] * hitachienergy.com [https://www.hitachienergy.com/] Share this episode with leaders in manufacturing, supply chain, or energy—because smarter infrastructure builds a better future.