ISA Seeks Wireless Pioneers for 2026 Automation Excellence Award

DURHAM, NC – January 13, 2026 – The International Society of Automation (ISA) and the ISA100 Wireless Compliance Institute (WCI) have officially opened the call for nominations for the 2025-26 ISA100 Wireless Excellence in Automation Award. The annual award recognizes end-user companies demonstrating exceptional innovation and leadership in leveraging the ISA100 Wireless standard to drive significant operational improvements.

As industries from oil and gas to manufacturing accelerate their digital transformation under the banner of Industry 4.0, robust and reliable wireless communication has become a cornerstone of the modern industrial landscape. This award shines a spotlight on the trailblazing organizations that are moving beyond theory and implementing these technologies to achieve tangible results in efficiency, safety, and profitability. The deadline for submissions is April 30, 2026.

The Wireless Revolution in Heavy Industry

For decades, industrial automation has relied on a complex web of physical cables for process control and monitoring. While effective, this wired infrastructure is often costly to install, difficult to modify, and impractical in remote, hazardous, or mobile environments. The rise of the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) has created an urgent need for a wireless alternative that doesn't compromise on the security and reliability required for mission-critical operations.

This is the specific challenge the ISA100 Wireless standard was designed to solve. Developed through a multi-stakeholder process and established as an IEC global standard in 2014, it provides a purpose-built framework for industrial wireless communication. Unlike consumer-grade technologies like Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, ISA100 Wireless was engineered from the ground up for the harsh conditions of plant environments. Its core architecture is built on a robust mesh network, where devices can relay data for each other, creating multiple redundant communication paths that ensure data gets through even if a single pathway is disrupted.

One of its key technical differentiators is its native use of IPv6 (Internet Protocol version 6), which future-proofs the network and allows for a massive number of devices to be uniquely addressed. This makes it the only industrial protocol of its kind, enabling vast, plant-wide deployments under a single, unified network. The standard also incorporates stringent security measures, including 128-bit AES encryption and device authentication, to protect against cyber threats in an increasingly connected world. Its ability to support low-latency data transmission and achieve Safety Integrity Level 2 (SIL2) certification makes it suitable for safety-critical applications where failure is not an option.

From Theory to Reality: Award-Winning Implementations

The true measure of any technology standard lies in its real-world application. The list of past recipients of the ISA100 Wireless Excellence in Automation Award reads like a who's who of industrial giants, each demonstrating the standard's transformative potential.

Most recently, the 2024-25 award was presented to TotalEnergies EP Ratawi Hub for a groundbreaking safety project in Iraq. The company deployed a safety-critical wireless gas detection system in an area with unexploded ordnance, where traditional trenching for wired systems was impossible. By using ISA100 Wireless with SIL2-capable devices, they not only achieved deterministic alarm transmission in under two seconds but also dramatically reduced installation time from eight weeks to just ten days, cutting hazardous site exposure for personnel by 60%.

In 2023, Aramco was recognized for a large-scale steam trap monitoring solution at its Fadhili Gas Plant. Steam leaks represent a significant source of energy loss and inefficiency in industrial plants. Aramco deployed a network of over 2,200 wireless steam trap monitors, alongside hundreds of vibration and gas sensors, all communicating over a single ISA100 Wireless network. This initiative provided real-time insights into plant health, enabling proactive maintenance and substantial energy conservation.

Similarly, the 2022 winner, OMV Petrom, pioneered what it described as the "world's first oil field wireless monitoring deployment" in Romania. The project involved blanketing a 1.5-by-1.0-kilometer oil field with a single IPv6 wireless mesh network to gather real-time data from various instruments. This deployment showcased the standard's scalability and its ability to provide reliable connectivity across vast, challenging geographical areas, a feat impractical with wired solutions.

These cases, along with those from past winners like Phillips 66, PETRONAS, and Nippon Steele, highlight common themes: dramatic cost savings, enhanced worker safety, improved operational efficiency, and the ability to gather critical data from previously inaccessible points.

Setting the Standard in a Competitive Landscape

The ISA100 Wireless Excellence in Automation Award does more than just celebrate individual company achievements; it plays a crucial role in validating and promoting a standardized approach to industrial wireless. In a market with competing standards like WirelessHART and emerging technologies like private 5G, showcasing proven, interoperable solutions is vital for building industry confidence.

The award's focus on end-user success stories, rather than specific vendors, underscores its commitment to highlighting the practical value of the standard itself. By requiring winners to share their results through white papers and webinars, the ISA and WCI facilitate invaluable knowledge sharing across the industry, helping other organizations learn from these pioneering efforts.

This process of public validation helps solidify the standard's reputation and encourages wider adoption, moving the entire industry toward a more interoperable and secure future. It demonstrates that industrial-grade wireless is not just a future concept but a mature, stable technology delivering a significant return on investment today. As one industry analyst noted, "Recognizing these real-world deployments demystifies the technology and provides a clear roadmap for others looking to begin their own wireless journey."

The Path to Recognition

Nominations are open to any end-user company that has deployed an application using ISA100 Wireless technology to improve operations or has conducted a formal study that contributes to the understanding of the technology. Preference is given to use cases that demonstrate leadership and innovation.

The winning company will receive a custom-engraved crystal trophy at the prestigious ISA Automation Summit & Expo Awards Gala, scheduled for September 27-29, 2026, in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. The winner's representative will also receive a complimentary pass to attend the summit, providing a premier opportunity for networking and industry recognition.

By participating, companies not only gain recognition for their team's achievements but also contribute to the broader advancement of industrial automation, helping to shape the connected, efficient, and safe industrial facilities of tomorrow.