Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (DEWA) | DEWA, EPRI organise Advanced Digital Integrated Grids conference

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has organised the Advanced Digital Integrated Grids conference, in collaboration with the US-based Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI). HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA, Mark F. McGranaghan, Vice President, Integrated Grid, Power Delivery and Use at EPRI; Dr Saif Almheiri, Vice President of Research & Development at DEWA; and other experts from DEWA and EPRI attended the conference, along with 200 participants and speakers.

The conference was held at the DEWA Campus for Occupational and Academic Development. It covered energy storage, grids, smart meters, energy efficiency, IT, communication, Artificial Intelligence (AI) for grid operations, asset management, energy transfer and cyber security. DEWA also held, during the conference, discussions on renewable energy, grid digitalisation and automation, and cyber security, with participation of experts from EPRI and DEWA.

“DEWA has achieved important accomplishments through providing digital services and its use of advanced tools to provide a unique experience by the government. This supports the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to establish Dubai as a global role model as a city of the future. DEWA’s achievements also support the UAE Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2031 to position the UAE as a global leader in AI by 2031. The Smart Grid is a key component of DEWA’s strategy to develop an advanced infrastructure to support the Smart Dubai initiative to transform Dubai into the smartest and happiest city in the world. The Smart Grid includes programmes with investments of AED 7 billion up to 2035. DEWA has also inaugurated the Smart Grid Station (SGS), which uses a variety of smart grid technologies to generate power,” said Al Tayer.

DEWA has also inaugurated DEWA’s Digital Command Centre. The Centre is first of its kind in the UAE that uses AI technology to monitor and manage DEWA’s digital infrastructure and service channels. Among DEWA’s future AI applications is Utility Domain - Empowering Network Design. This integrates different data sources, to find the suitable solutions for energy network planning, as well as Voice Biometrics, which enables customers and employees to use their voices to confirm their identities in the future.

 “Working under the directives of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, DEWA has achieved global milestones when the UAE, represented by DEWA, kept its first place globally for the third year running for Getting Electricity in the World Bank’s Doing Business 2020 report. These achievements push us forward to establish our leadership in sustainable development and materialise our vision to become a globally leading sustainable innovative corporation. This raises the quality of life and happiness of everyone in Dubai,” added Al Tayer.

McGranaghan praised DEWA’s contributions to the sustainable growth of the Emirate, to benefit Dubai’s citizens, residents, and visitors. “Dubai is witnessing prosperity throughout and has become a hub for inventors and future makers, under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. We were briefed about DEWA’s achievements in advanced smart grids, automation and digital transformation. We are glad to collaborate with DEWA to facilitate a decent life for citizens, residents, visitors, to enhance Dubai’s position as a world-class city,” said McGranaghan.