DEWA granted a Copyright for an innovative digital application to enhance smart solar planning

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has been granted a Copyright for an innovative digital application designed to manage and plan distributed solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. The application integrates data related to weather conditions and energy operational performance into a comprehensive digital simulation system and links it directly to the Shams Dubai Master Database. This advanced application supports data-driven decision-making and enhances the efficiency of future planning for the emirate’s electrical distribution networks, ensuring they can accommodate the expansion of renewable energy.

“At DEWA, we continue to utilize advanced digital solutions and technological innovation to enhance the readiness of Dubai’s energy system, in line with the vision of the wise leadership to make the emirate a global model for sustainability and innovation. This  innovative digital application is a significant addition to the smart planning system, as it enables the optimal use of weather and operational data to support the systematic expansion of distributed solar energy, enhancing network efficiency and supporting the objectives of the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 and the Dubai Net Zero Carbon Emissions Strategy 2050,” said HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA.

“This innovative digital application is an interactive advanced tool that promotes intelligent planning of distributed PV systems by providing accurate and integrated grid-level data, supporting faster and more efficient decision-making. This innovative digital application contributes to enhancing the readiness of the distribution network to accommodate the growing expansion of distributed solar energy plants. It also consolidates a data-driven planning approach to ensure the sustainability and reliability of Dubai’s energy system,” added Al Tayer.

The innovative digital application enables the generation of comprehensive and more specific datasets for existing and proposed PV installations at any point on the distribution network, up to main 132/11 kV substations, over any specified time frame. This capability provides advanced support for planning solar energy projects and accurately assessing their operational impact on the electrical grid.

The innovative digital application has been granted a UAE copyright and is currently in use at DEWA’s Power and Water Planning Division, reflecting DEWA’s commitment to developing smart, data-driven solutions that enhance planning efficiency and support the transition towards a sustainable and resilient energy system.

The strategic significance of this innovation lies in its ability to generate datasets digitally in only a few clicks, in contrast to the convolution method. The innovative digital application is also highly flexible, as its scope can be expanded to integrate other types of data sources and generate different datasets that serve a wide range of planning and operational areas.