In the heart of Houston’s energy corridor, where pipelines converge and innovation pulses through the air, a unique community has quietly reshaped the future of energy operations. The Energy Drone & Robotics Coalition (EDRC) stands at the intersection of technology and industry, connecting the world’s largest gathering of uncrewed systems professionals in energy, utilities and critical infrastructure. Sean Guerre, a veteran of energy tech and the coalition’s executive director, stands at the helm. His vision has turned EDRC into a hub of excellence for “energy ops”—the art and science of supporting the energy sector with the help of drones, robots, and data, through education, training and networking outreach. In this exclusive interview, based on Guerre’s recent Dawn of Autonomy podcast, he discusses the state of autonomy in the energy sector as well as the global community he has forged to make it better.
The EDRC Origin Story: Building a Community for Energy Ops
The EDRC’s roots seem as practical as they are visionary. The coalition emerged from the realization that early adopters in energy were operating in silos, each experimenting with drones and robotics, but lacking a forum to share lessons learned.
“People needed to start talking to each other about the early adopters and what’s happening in terms of robotics and autonomy and drones in this energy sector,” Guerre explained. He continued, “So we made it our job at the EDRC to make sure everybody understands the best practices, the use cases, the technology and the trends that they can use to deploy on their projects and to expand their programs.”
From these beginnings, EDRC has grown into a global network of over 20,000 professionals and more than 200 energy and utility companies, all united by a common goal: to advance the safe, effective and scalable use of uncrewed systems in energy operations. EDRC’s mission, rooted in education, collaboration and the relentless pursuit of operational excellence, resonates through every event, newsletter and handshake.
Energy Ops: The Pulse of Modern Infrastructure
If there’s a single thread running through EDRC’s work, it’s the focus on “energy ops”—the day-to-day reality of keeping oil, gas, power and chemical assets running smoothly. “Technology is being deployed everywhere, in all ways, in energy now,” Guerre noted. “The industry is definitely not an early adopter, but we are a fast follower—and we do it at scale,” he said.
Energy ops isn’t just about hardware; it’s about making data actionable, improving safety and maximizing return on investment (ROI). Whether it’s a drone inspecting a wind turbine, a robot crawling through a pipeline or artificial intelligence (AI) crunching terabytes of inspection data, EDRC’s community remains at the forefront of these advances.
“We cover things that are really affecting people in their day-to-day operations in oil and gas, utilities and chemicals, and make sure that they’re able to operate more efficiently, more productively and safely,” Guerre explained.
Learning From the Master: The Top 3 Energy Ops Trends
With a finger on the pulse of the industry, Guerre quickly identified the trends shaping the future of energy ops. In his eyes, as 2025 unfolds, three themes stand out:
BVLOS Operations and Waivers
Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) is no longer a distant dream. “We’re starting to see that the BVLOS operations and waivers are much easier to obtain and the projects are moving forward faster,” Guerre observed. Utilities are flying drones 50 to 100 miles for pipeline and transmission line inspections, and heavy-lift drones are entering mainstream operations. “I’m excited about what we’re seeing in that area around UAS,” he added.
AI as the Brain of Robotics
Artificial intelligence has now been embedded in both the front end and back end of energy ops. “We’re seeing a lot of drone and robotics manufacturers starting to truly deploy AI as the brain of the UAV or the robot,” Guerre explained. AI enables features like detect-and-avoid (DAA), anomaly detection and automated data analysis that turns raw sensor feeds into actionable insights. “The key is: how do we make it actionable?” he elaborated. “They’re using AI to extract information, do the inspections and then hand that over to the human inspectors.”
Multi-Robot, Multi-Domain Operations
Perhaps most exciting, according to Guerre, is the rise of software platforms that orchestrate fleets of drones and robots—across air, land and sea—from centralized operations rooms. “We’re starting to see some really interesting case studies… around utilizing different types of software to manage multiple drones and robots simultaneously and remotely,” he noted. Offshore rigs, for example, now integrate aerial, ground and underwater robots to inspect and maintain complex assets.
The 9th Annual EDRC Summit: The Global Gathering for Energy Ops
Every June, Houston becomes the epicenter of energy innovation as EDRC convenes its annual Energy Drone & Robotics Summit. Now in its ninth year, the 2025 summit promises to be the largest yet, drawing over 1,500 professionals from across the energy spectrum to the Woodlands Waterway Marriott.
A laser focus on end users—the people who actually operate drones, robots, and data systems in the field—sets the EDRC Summit apart. EDRC zeroes in on the unique challenges and opportunities of energy ops, making it the must-attend event for the sector.
Guerre, and the Industry Advisory Board crafts the program meticulously for the energy sector’s unique needs, featuring standout keynotes and a robust lineup of co-located sessions that set it apart from any other event in the field. “We are very much end-user focused… Those are the people we’re dealing with at an oil and gas company or utility or a chemical company or the service providers who do the work for them,” Guerre emphasized.
Keynotes: Industry Energy Leaders, Real-World Ops
The summit opens with high-impact keynote sessions and general assemblies that bring together asset owners, engineers and technology leaders from across the energy spectrum. These sessions are designed to tackle the most pressing challenges and opportunities in energy operations—covering everything from the latest in robotics and UAV deployments to actionable strategies for data, AI and digital twins. Attendees can expect to hear directly from those running plants, overseeing maintenance and setting the pace for technological adoption in the world’s largest energy companies.
The keynotes are not just about showcasing technology—they’re about sharing hard-won lessons from the field and exploring how innovations are being implemented at scale. As Guerre noted, “A lot of the energy companies are very generous in sharing what projects they’re working on, how they’re deploying and some of the early results… We have that from across the spectrum and I think that’s going to be really exciting.”
Co-Located Sessions: Tailored for Energy Ops
The EDRC’s Summit suite of co-located events and specialized tracks, each tailored to the realities of energy operations, truly distinguishes it from other events.
For example, the DRONERESPONDERS Texas Emergency Response Forum, a highlight of the summit, produced in partnership with AIRT, is uniquely tailored to the intersection of energy and emergency management. It focuses on how drones and robotics are deployed before, during and after incidents such as plant emergencies, wildfires, tropical storms or freezes—all scenarios impacting critical energy infrastructure.
Guerre explained, “What they try to do is come across between the energy sector and public safety, where they interact when there is an incident… your first responders and your energy company emergency response people…they’re right there… It is very focused in those areas where we cross over versus a general public safety or first responder event.” This approach ensures that critical infrastructure owners and operators can sit side by side with law enforcement and firefighters and foster the collaboration necessary for rapid incident assessment and recovery.
Beyond this, the summit features an array of breakout sessions and tracks, each zeroing in on the most relevant technologies and operational challenges for energy companies. Themes include:
- Robotics Inspection, Maintenance & Repair (including ground, marine and humanoid robotics)
- UAV/Aerial Robotics and Operations
- Methane/Fugitive Emissions Strategies
- Data Visualization & Analytics (GIS, AI, digital twins, reality capture)
- Industrial Cargo Drones
- Surveying, Mapping Geophysics & Remote Sensing
- Construction Robotics
Guerre and the team at EDRC built these tracks around real-world use cases and the latest deployments in oil and gas, utilities and chemicals. He said, “We’re seeing this year, actual movement of robots into maintenance and repair—they’re sandblasting, they’re welding, they’re painting. So we’re starting to see some really cool stuff on how they can operate around energy assets not just to inspect them but to go to the next level.”
The Show Floor: Purpose-Built for the Energy Sector
The show floor itself demonstrates the EDRC’s commitment to being the ”one event in the world for energy robotics, drones and data.” It features technologies tailored for the unique demands of energy ops—from aerial and ground robots to marine vehicles capable of inspecting offshore rigs and even nuclear power plants.
Live demos, an innovation alley for up-and-coming startups and an obstacle course for robots together create an atmosphere that’s equal parts trade show and test track. “We have an obstacle course where people will be able to showcase their tech in action… the innovation zone… a dozen companies showcasing technologies that haven’t been commercially deployed yet but they’re ready to be,” Guerre said.
Networking and Inclusion: The New WIRE Event
The EDRC also weaves networking into the fabric of the summit, with receptions, Bots and Brews meetups and special events like the new WIRE (Women in Robotics & Energy) gathering, all designed to foster the relationships and knowledge-sharing that drive the sector forward.
As part of its commitment to building a diverse and inclusive community, this year, the coalition is launching the WIRE—Women in Robotics and Energy—a new meetup aimed at connecting and empowering women in a traditionally male-dominated field. “We’re starting as a meetup because we have seen a certain amount of growth in women entering into the robotics and energy fields. It hopefully will continue to grow,” Guerre explained. WIRE joins a roster of other special-interest meetups, from GIS to remote sensing, all designed to foster belonging and mentorship.
STEM Outreach: Investing in the Next Generation
Recognizing that the future of energy ops depends on a skilled workforce, EDRC actively engages with local schools and universities. “We work basically from middle school all the way up through colleges… anyone who’s in a STEM program, a robotics club or a drone club,” Guerre shared. He invites students to tour the expo floor, meet industry leaders and see firsthand how technology has reshaped energy.
Guerre aptly summarized the summit in a nutshell: “For the folks who are in the energy sector, this is the event.”
Community Offerings: Newsletters, Bots and Brews
EDRC’s impact goes far beyond its annual summit, however. The coalition provides year-round knowledge-sharing and networking, with offerings designed to keep the energy ops community connected and informed.
The EDRC Newsroom
Every week, the Energy Drone & Robotics Newsroom lands in inboxes around the globe. It curates the latest use cases, technology updates and industry news. A must-read for anyone tracking the fast-moving world of unmanned energy operations, it provides insights drawn from the coalition’s vast network of practitioners and innovators.
Bots and Brews
There’s business, and then there’s camaraderie. EDRC’s “Bots and Brews” meetups are informal gatherings where members swap stories, demo new tech and build the relationships that power the industry. These gatherings foster the kind of open dialogue and peer learning that can only happen over a cold beverage and a shared passion for robotics.
Digital Resources and Ongoing Events
EDRC also hosts webinars, podcasts and digital events throughout the year to ensure that the conversation never stops. The coalition’s website provides a treasure trove of reports, benchmark studies and on-demand content, all available to members at no cost.
Why EDRC Matters: The “Big Tent” of Energy Ops
As energy companies face mounting pressure to operate safely, efficiently and sustainably, the role of advanced robotics and data has never been more critical. “If we’re going to continue to utilize fossil fuels for several more decades, we need to find a way to do that as cleanly as possible,” Sean noted. “The industry is very much supportive of that. We want to be good citizens. It’s important for recruiting the next generation, which is so technology-enabled and could go work anywhere—and we want them in energy.”
EDRC’s “big tent” philosophy ensures that anyone with a stake in energy ops—from asset owners to service providers, from engineers to policymakers—has a seat at the table. “If you think you should be part of this event, reach out. We’re happy to work to incorporate you, your group or your company and find a way to work together because that’s how we grow,” Guerre said.
Looking Ahead: Join the Energy Ops Movement
Whether you’re a seasoned operator, a tech startup or a student dreaming of a career in energy, the EDRC offers a community, a platform and a vision for the future of energy ops.
Its 9th Annual Energy Drone & Robotics Summit, set for June 16-18, 2025, in Houston, is more than just a conference—it’s the heartbeat of a rapidly evolving industry.
Stay connected through the EDRC’s weekly newsletter, join a Bots and Brews event or dive into the summit’s rich program of demos, panels and networking.
As Guerre put it, “We’re excited about taking drones, robotics and data to the next level for everyone. Onward and upward—see everybody in about three weeks, I hope!”
For more information, visit edrcoalition.com and become part of the global conversation driving the next era of energy operations.The EDRC is an Autonomy Global Media Partner. Check out their previous contributions: EDR Summit 2025: Where Innovation Takes Flight, Rolls and Dives and 2024 Energy Drone & Robotics Wrapped: Top Stories of the Year
By: Dawn Zoldi