Dubai Electricity & Water Authority | DEWA organises Innovation Exhibition at Jebel Ali Power and Desalination Station Complex

HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), inaugurated the two-day innovation exhibition at the solar garden in the Jebel Ali power and desalination station complex. DEWA organised this as part of its Innovation Week, which represents its participation in UAE Innovation Month. UAE Innovation Month was announced by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, with the theme, ‘Innovation starts with you.’

The innovative solar garden is irrigated using the Potable Solar Desalination unit, which is one of DEWA’s innovations to desalinate water using photovoltaic solar panels.

Al Tayer, accompanied by Nasser Lootah, Executive Vice President of Generation at DEWA, and Marwan Bin Haidar, Executive Vice President of Innovation and the Future, reviewed the latest power-generation and water-desalination innovations by the Generation Division.

Al Tayer toured the accompanying exhibition and visited all the stalls, which were made from recycled materials, by DEWA employees. He reviewed DEWA’s innovations including the One-Way Data System, which received an international patent. He also listened to details about the Gas Turbine Smart Controller system, which is based on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Self Learning. A gas turbine simulation programme was designed specifically to conduct the necessary tests that lasted for one year, and was then successfully implemented at the M station. It will be implemented across all the stations. This system will improve the efficiency and reliability of turbines and reduce Nitrogen Oxides emissions.

Al Tayer watched a video on innovative use of robots in generators’ maintenance, which was implemented across all the Generation Division’s unit. It has contributed to reducing maintenance process by up to 50%. Other innovations included the use of Big Data in developing the Division’s workflow mechanism. This contributed to the establishment of the Smart Power Plant for effective monitoring of the stations. Al Tayer was also briefed about the latest technologies in security, fire, and safety.

During the tour, Al Tayer reviewed the Smart Supervision System, which was designed and developed entirely by the Generation Division. It is a smart system based on AI and digital transformation technologies which enhances human capabilities in the speed and accuracy of paperless transactions, work permits, and no-objection certificates related to the Generation Division, instantly.

Al Tayer also reviewed the latest innovations by strategic partners: Siemens, General Electric (GE), and ABB. He listened to a detailed explanation from officials in various sections of the exhibition about their innovations and how to harness them to serve power production, to support DEWA’s strategic approach.

Al Tayer congratulated DEWA employees for their achievements. He confirmed that these achievements wouldn’t have happened without their hard work and commitment towards DEWA’s innovative position world-wide. He also highlighted that these efforts reflect the vision of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to adopt innovation in government work.

“We attach great importance to innovation, as part of our Strategic Plan 2021, which supports the National Innovation Strategy, the Dubai Innovation Strategy, and the UAE Centennial 2071 to make the UAE the best country in the world in all fields. DEWA has raised the importance of innovation to 40% in its strategic plan and included strategic objectives within its strategy map with a focus on envisioning the future, innovation, and the happiness of stakeholders. It has also institutionalised innovation across all its sectors and operations,” added Al Tayer.

DEWA’s Innovation Week features 71 different activities at its head office and some of its centres. The events include an AI Hackathon for staff, participation from various sectors, robotics workshops, innovations by people of determination, as well as inspiring sessions about innovation and innovators, and specialised seminars about the latest innovative technologies, 3D printing, smart grids and others. Moreover, DEWA is organising innovative events at Zayed Innovation Oasis featuring various activities including Zayed Year Exhibition and the Future Interactive Exhibition.