“The utility industry is at a crossroads. Aging infrastructure can no longer support the growing demands of safety, efficiency, and cybersecurity,” says Manav Mittal. “Modernization is not just an upgrade—it’s a necessity to ensure we meet today’s challenges and prepare for the demands of tomorrow.”
Manav Mittal is the driving force behind modernizing the gas utility industry, leading an ambitious remote terminal unit (RTU) upgrade program that successfully upgraded critical infrastructure across 800 operational sites for a prominent gas utility company in Michigan. Remote terminal units are vital components of gas pipeline systems, acting as field-based devices that collect data, monitor operations, provide control capabilities, and relay real-time information to central control systems through SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition) platforms.
With the increasing challenges of aging systems, rising cybersecurity threats, and evolving regulations, his leadership ensured modern, secure, and resilient solutions. “Our infrastructure needs to do more than just function—it needs to perform reliably, securely, and sustainably,” says Mr. Mittal. “The RTU upgrade program is about meeting those needs while preparing for the future.”
Manav led the program with a sharp focus on rigorous testing and validation to make sure the upgraded RTUs met the highest performance standards. His team subjected the new systems to a comprehensive series of tests, including environmental stress testing, communication validation, and operational load verification. “We needed to know these RTUs could handle anything we threw at them—extreme weather, electrical surges, or heavy operational loads,” says Manav.
Extensive SCADA testing ensured a seamless communication between field RTUs and central systems. It allows for real-time monitoring and control. By simulating field conditions and testing for maximum capacity, he provided confidence that the upgraded systems could perform reliably across all 800 sites.
He ensured the program aligned with modern cybersecurity mandates, responding to increasing risks in the aftermath of incidents like the Colonial Pipeline attack. He implemented secure communication protocols, access controls, and comprehensive penetration testing to protect infrastructure from evolving cyber threats. “Cybersecurity is no longer optional—it’s an operational necessity. “We tested RTUs to ensure it could withstand cyber threats, safeguarding both operations and customer trust.”
His team adhered to regulatory standards which demand a fortified approach to critical infrastructure protection. “The evolving nature of cyber threats means we have to stay ahead,” Mr. Mittal explains. “We didn’t just check the box—we built systems that can adapt and respond to cybersecurity challenges over time.”
Manav's strategic oversight and hands-on leadership played an important role in keeping the program on track, even given its scope and complexity. He managed diverse teams of engineers, contractors, and field operators, delivering results with minimum operational disruption. The scale of this program necessitated precision in every phase, from design and testing to commissioning. We had to ensure that each site transitioned smoothly to the new RTUs while ensuring service continuity. His meticulous planning and proactive risk management minimized delays, and the program was delivered successfully and within budget.
Manav's RTU upgrade program has, in fact, set a new paradigm for gas utility infrastructure-a resilient, secure, and future-ready system. As he modernized the RTUs, he upgraded real-time monitoring, enhanced operational control, and hardened systems against the cybersecurity threat. "We are building a smarter and safer infrastructure that will continue to serve operations for decades to come," says Mr. Mittal.
His unwavering focus on testing, cybersecurity, and sustainability has enabled a model to be replicable and used for utilities around the country as a benchmark, setting new industry standards to modernized critical infrastructure. He further advanced the utility industry in many ways through insightful writings through articles including his last in 'A Guide to Choosing the Best SCADA Software for Your Organization,' of 10 December 2024 by SecureWorld.
Manav Mittal’s leadership on the RTU upgrade program highlights his extraordinary ability to drive modernization in the utility sector. His vision, technical expertise, and commitment to excellence have ensured the program’s success, inspiring other utilities to embrace forward-thinking solutions for their infrastructure. At last he includes; “The RTU upgrades are about more than just today—they’re about building systems that will serve us reliably for decades to come.”