Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (DEWA) | DEWA-ABB workshop discusses innovative technology for a stronger, smarter and greener grid

HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has today inaugurated a joint workshop between DEWA and Swiss firm ABB at Hyatt Regency Dubai Creek Heights hotel. The workshop on ‘Innovative Technology Knowledge Share for a Stronger, Smarter and Greener Grid’ is part of DEWA’s strategy to enhance strategic partnerships with leading international companies.

Waleed Salman, Executive Vice President of Business Development and Excellence; Abdullah Obaidullah, Executive Vice President of Water & Civil, Dr Yousef Al Akraf, Executive Vice President of Business Support and Human Resources; Marwan Bin Haidar, Executive Vice President of Innovation and the Future, and Khawla Al Mehairi, Executive Vice President of Strategy and Government Communications at DEWA, all attended the workshop.

The workshop was also attended by Dr Mostafa Al Guezeri, Managing Director of the Gulf & Near East, Noaman Amjad, Group Senior Vice President, Global Head of Marketing & Sales of the Power Grids Division, and Jari Kaija, Group Senior Vice President and Head of Customer Service at ABB Group.

The workshop included a number of sessions including: Digital Transformation with Asset Health Management, Digital Distribution Transformers, Digital Substations solutions, Cyber Security, and HVDC.

“I am pleased to welcome you to this workshop organised by Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) and ABB to exchange best practices, experiences and updates on Innovative Technology Knowledge Sharing for a Stronger, Smarter & Greener Grid. At DEWA, we are guided by the vision and directives of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, in all our ambitious initiatives and development projects. This supports the objectives of the UAE Centennial 2071, the UAE Vision 2021, and the Dubai Plan 2021 to secure a happy future and better future for generations to come, and raise the UAE’s status to become the best country in the world. We have a holistic approach for the energy sector and we have translated this approach into workable strategies. We are securing our supply by diversifying the energy mix, to include clean energy that will provide 75% of Dubai’s total power output by 2050, in line with Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050. To achieve this, we have launched many green programmes and initiatives including the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, which is the largest single-site solar park in the world with a total capacity of 5,000MW by 2030,” said Al Tayer in his keynote speech.

“The smart grid is a key element in DEWA’s strategy to develop an advanced infrastructure to support Dubai’s Demand Side Management Strategy to reduce electricity and water consumption by 30% by 2030. Our Research and Development Centre at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park will focus on four key operations including Integrating Smart Grids, Generating electricity from solar power, Energy Efficiency, and Water. In adherence with the Smart Dubai initiative to make Dubai the smartest and happiest city in the world, we have launched the Smart Applications through Smart Meters and Grids initiative to provide various benefits and new applications to our customers. Our smart grid strategy comprises many programmes, with investments of AED 7 billion. It is set to be completed in the short, medium and long-term, between 2014 and 2035,” noted Al Tayer.

“We are currently enhancing our electricity and water infrastructure to be smarter, by using the latest developments in smart grid components and systems. It will include advanced features, automated decision-making and interoperability across the entire electricity and water network. We are currently working with start-ups and accelerators to develop technologies to rationalise energy and water consumption, and implement smarter grids capable of covering generation, transmission and distribution systems. DEWA has also developed a special Internet of Things initiative that gathers, analyses and exchanges information between generation, transmission and distribution networks in a timely manner, enhancing customer responsiveness and Research and Development in various fields. Our initiative includes sensor networks and IP connectivity, exchange of information with the Smart Dubai initiative, big data and analytics, smart development and an interoperability framework,” he added.

“We keep up to date with the Fourth Industrial Revolution, and take advantage of disruptive technologies in various areas, develop Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, UAVs, energy storage, blockchain, the Internet of Things, 3D printing, and Big Data analysis. We have decided to reshape the concept of utilities and create a new digital future for Dubai by launching ‘Digital DEWA’, the digital arm of DEWA. DEWA will implement a pioneering new model for utilities that uses innovation in renewable energy, energy storage, artificial intelligence and digital services,” added Al Tayer.

“We are currently working with Smart Dubai, under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai, to adopt DEWA’s Blockchain Initiative for the Green Charger, which is one of our initiatives to support Dubai's digital blockchain strategy. The blockchain strategy is a major step in supporting the technological and digital transformation of Dubai. Our initiative aims to facilitate the process of registering and charging for DEWA’s customers, enable charging station operators to use services through DEWA’s smart blockchain application, enhance DEWA’s customers’ experience and achieve their happiness. DEWA’s success can be seen through its smart services adoption which reached 90%."

“I wish you all the best and great success for the DEWA–ABB Workshop and I hope it will generate creative ideas to promote smarter and greener grids to instil sustainable development in Dubai, the UAE and worldwide,” concluded Al Tayer.

ABB’s Dr Al Guezeri and Kaija also gave presentations at the workshop.