The expansion of renewable energy necessitates highly precise and secure systems for wind, solar, and battery storage. Rami Al Idrissi has focused his career on this critical technical area, where operational technology, industrial networking, and cybersecurity are essential for the reliability of contemporary energy grids.
Currently, Al Idrissi holds the position of senior SCADA and controls engineer at Leeward Renewable Energy. He also spearheads RF Defense Solutions, a new company dedicated to radio-frequency security for vital infrastructure. His professional journey spans two decades of practical engineering experience, encompassing nuclear power plants, hydropower facilities, onshore wind farms, and the inaugural commercial offshore wind farm in the U.S.
Early Life Across Three Countries
Al Idrissi’s resilience and global perspective were forged during a childhood marked by conflict and relocation.
Born in Kuwait in the 1970s, Al Idrissi’s family later relocated to Cyprus in pursuit of better opportunities. He recalls his time in Cyprus as instrumental in developing his understanding of diversity, communication, and curiosity. It was also there that he found his passion for engineering, opting for the science track due to his strong interest in the electrical aspects of physics and electronics.
At 17, another significant change occurred with his family’s move to Canada. Al Idrissi enrolled in an advanced electronics course, acknowledging his teacher, Mr. Henderson, for identifying his aptitude. He highlights how this encouragement was crucial in shaping his path, especially during a period when his family experienced financial difficulties after their overseas construction business failed.
Education and Engineering Foundations
In Canada, Al Idrissi excelled in a community college electronics program, achieving top grades, before earning a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering from Lakehead University. His initial professional roles provided significant practical experience in automation and process optimization.
Subsequently, Al Idrissi progressed into control systems engineering positions, working with pulp and paper mills, infrastructure systems in the Niagara region, and the St. Lawrence Seaway. These experiences enhanced his expertise in SCADA, PLC programming, and managing extensive equipment modernizations.
Al Idrissi furthered his education by obtaining a Master of Science in cybersecurity from the Georgia Institute of Technology, graduating with a perfect 4.0 GPA. His specialization focused on cyber-physical systems and safeguarding critical infrastructure.
Engineering Leadership in Renewable Energy
Al Idrissi led the instrumentation and controls engineering team at GE Vernova Hitachi Nuclear Energy. Following this, he became a lead SCADA and controls engineer for onshore wind projects at GE Renewable Energy.
Between 2021 and 2025, Al Idrissi held the position of SCADA manager at Avangrid Renewables, making significant contributions to the development of the first commercial offshore wind farm in the U.S. The leadership at Vineyard Wind officially acknowledged his efforts in achieving initial power generation and successfully addressing a critical aircraft detection lighting problem that had caused public concern.
Al Idrissi attributes a significant portion of his achievements to his capacity for resolving complex issues under demanding circumstances. He considers his primary strength to be “finding solutions that others spend weeks struggling with.”
Looking Forward: Protecting the Grid’s RF Layer
Currently, Al Idrissi is dedicated to creating novel defenses against radio-frequency vulnerabilities often missed by conventional cybersecurity measures. He observes an “oversight in how RF systems are protected,” highlighting the continued widespread use of older devices within the energy industry.
Through RF Defense Solutions, Al Idrissi has submitted a patent application for a device intended to secure these systems, integrating both research and practical application.
With the support of his wife and three daughters, who navigated three years of his extensive travel for offshore projects, Al Idrissi remains committed to advancing safer, smarter, and more resilient energy networks.
Al Idrissi states, “I believe the work I’m doing now can protect critical infrastructure in ways people aren’t addressing yet.”
Al Idrissi’s commitment exemplifies a career characterized by innovation and perseverance. His contributions enhance the systems that provide power to contemporary communities and underpin the future of secure renewable energy.
