Exceptional Open Seminars at WETEX 2016 | DEWA

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), and a number of leading companies, have run a series of seminars during the 18th Water, Energy, Technology, and Environment Exhibition (WETEX) 2016, which is held under the directives of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and under the patronage of HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Minister of Finance and President of DEWA, during 4-6 October 2016 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Hosted in Al Mutlaqa Ballroom over three days, these seminars have attracted speakers from so many international leading companies and corporations such as Lucy Electric, ABB, Honeywell, Acwa Power, Brisa, Everlight, Siemens, ENOC, DN Tanks, SAP, Masdar, Larsen & Toubro, Gulf Eternit, Future Pipe Industries, Torishima, Advantech, Ducab, Emirates Transformer and Switchgear, DEWA, Ericsson, Hadeed Emirates Contracting, Arthur D Little, Scientechnic and Shihlin Electric.

Topics covered on day one included network intelligence for active network management, energy efficiency & conversation, raising awareness on new technologies for water management, internet of things, services and people, advanced energy and sustainable technology, renewable and storage of energy, energy challenges, the eco-tech complex, innovation in water, energy, waste and carbon reduction and transforming to a smarter city.

Topics pipelined on day two incorporated energy storage- experiences of an energy storage plant in the MW age, VRF system in ENOC Retail, LED technological breakthrough-light, innovative pre-stressing technology for large scale, no maintenance pre-stressed concrete tanks, data-driven innovations for the energy transition, renewable desalination, renewable and storage of energy, sustainable clean energy for UAE power market, raising awareness on new technologies and sharing expertise and  promoting new developments and best practices.

On the last day of the seminars, the agenda included speakers who discussed thoroughly building electric utilities for tomorrow, requirements and challenges of solar cables, failure in resin cast distribution transformer, shams Dubai, Siemens ingenuity for life-UAE energy sustainability, digital transformation in utilities, renewable & storage of energy, energy storage, Arc-fault detection device, smart metering of electricity, water and gas towards smart grid realisation and circuit breaker coordination.

“WETEX 2016 consolidates its position year after year as one of the largest specialised exhibitions in the world. The 18th edition of the exhibition attracted a wide participation of major international companies which looked at it as an ideal venue to display and discuss latest green solutions and products.

The 18th WETEX, the 1st Dubai Solar Show, and the 3rd World Green Energy Summit (WGES), formed together an important opportunity to exchange experiences, and share knowledge through effective dialogue sessions and specialised seminars. Exhibitors were given the chance to meet with officials and decision-makers from the UAE, the Gulf and the wider Middle East, in addition to take advantage of the busy seminars and specialised workshops and events that hosted experts and specialists from around the world, to discuss the development and ways of expanding the use of green energy in the region to achieve sustainable development, and to ensure a sustainable future for us and our generation to come,” said HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA, Founder and Chairman of WETEX.

The seminars formed a unique forum through hosting experts, solution providers, investors, decision-makers, consumers from the public and private sectors, in addition to specialists in water and electricity, energy and environmental technologies and sustainable development sectors.

"In the Future, distribution networks will have to change in order to meet new demands as growth in small scale and intermittent generation continues to accommodate the resultant bi-directional power flows. With the uptake of the renewal energies in the network there are challenges that need to be addressed. The utilities should adapt new technologies for proactive steps in generation such as PV and in term of loads such as EV changes,” said Mohammed Afani, Automation Area Manager, Lucy Electric.

"We have been in the region for over 80 years and we boast almost 4,000 employees engaged in energy related businesses in MENAT and investments in local manufacturing, repair, service, R&D and training facilities to serve the region’s industry better. WETEX offered us an opportunity to exhibit the strength of GE and to support our customers and partners in the region,” said Dr. Abdulrahman Khalidi, Chief Technology Officer of GE Power Services.

"WETEX is a hub where all experts can meet and exchange ideas. Also, business men can meet different manufacturers, expand to more opportunities. It's a great platform for the new generation to make the most of the digital era and realise the importance of saving water,” said Majd F. Hamdallah, Director for GE Water & Technologies.

"WETEX is where customers and providers come together and really look for what is available in the market. It was a fantastic opportunity for ABB to showcase new technology we have. And naturally, it enabled us to develop our capabilities being number one provider in the region,” noted Jari Kaija, Senior Vice-president, Head of group Service, ABB.

"WETEX gathers stakeholders from the water and energy sectors who truly understand the economic and environmental benefits that green solutions offer. With more than 60 years’ experience supporting industries and governments across the Middle East, we are proud to showcase a wide range of Honeywell’s industry leading technologies that promote green, safe and productive outcomes which can help achieve the sustainability and energy efficiency goals set out in the UAE Vision 2021," pointed out Norman Gilsdorf, President, High Growth Regions, Russia, Central Asia & Middle East, Honeywell.

Honeywell has launched a new software service in the Middle East to help refining and petrochemical plants and gas processing factories to improve their performance.

“WETEX is an exciting place. I see that there is a very huge area with companies from all over the world who maybe a supplier for local projects in the future. This is an excellent strategy of the government to select the right partners. I was impressed and very glad to be here. For us, it was a chance to show technical reliability of our technology at Siemens. This region is of great importance for Siemens as it is stepping forward in future technology. We at Siemens see this opportunity and are prepared for the local decision makers and government to supply the technology,” emphasised Dr. Manfred Waidhas, Head of Technology, Siemens

“WETEX is the place which gathers all the new initiatives in the region. It's hard to find a good vendor in the market. So, WETEX gives us a place where we can meet, discuss and analyse all new initiatives. For the future, we want to see the new UAE National generation to move and think towards sustainability because they're our future,” said Hamdan AlDoukhi, Sr. EMS Engineer, ENOC.

“For me, WETEX is to understand the role of LEDs in energy efficiency and the role place for the eco-life we live in today. We had internet revolution, now we have led revolution. I was very impressed by exhibitors and the setup of the exhibition. In comparison to the rest of the exhibitions in the world, this comes on the top. For us, it brings exposure to our business and also people understanding what we have to offer. Face to face is the added value, it's what is important to a customer. To meet a potential customer and discuss and build a trust between the two parties and further the business,” noted Reece Ouassa, R&D Director, Value.

“Our intention is to educate the industry about the options available in water storage and the advancements in the prestressing technology and the ability to build a lowest cost of ownership concrete tank. I thank DEWA and WETEX to invite us to this prestigious event,” said Micah J. Somarriba, Business Development Manager, DN Tanks.

“The value of data in energy and water industries creates big challenges in the utilities market. For leading utilities, this is an opportunity to gain competitive capital. WETEX is massive and everybody needs data to analyse and optimise the process,” said Slawomir Klimowicz, Industry Principal for Utilities, SAP.

A wide group of participants from various sectors have attended the workshops and scientific seminars. They praised the topics being discussed that were supported by research and studies. These seminars aimed to enhance Dubai's position as a hub for conferences and strengthen the Emirate’s march towards knowledge economy that facilitates the exchange of expertise and best practices.