HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer emphasises the importance of adopting innovation as an organisational approach and a social culture for continuous development

HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD and CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), has emphasised the need to embrace innovation as an organisational mindset, social culture and key driver of progress. He made these remarks during the inauguration of DEWA’s Innovation Week, part of the company’s participation in ‘UAE Innovates 2025’, the 10th edition of the UAE’s innovation month.

Al Tayer underscored that UAE Innovates has succeeded in fostering a culture of innovation, transforming it into a way of life for society and an approach to government work. He further noted that DEWA’s Innovation Week aims to highlight the company’s most significant innovations and achievements in digital transformation, as well as its efforts to enhance efficiency and advance progress towards carbon neutrality.

Innovation Week features an exhibition showcasing more than 50 innovative projects at the head office, alongside activities and events across DEWA’s various branches. DEWA is also organising the Future Next conference, featuring experts and specialists from major local and international companies. Additionally, DEWA is hosting around 40 physical and virtual workshops for employees and schoolchildren to enhance their participation in designing, anticipating and shaping a sustainable future.

“Under the proactive vision of our wise leadership, the UAE has excelled in embracing the concept of innovation and harnessing it to build a prosperous and sustainable future by transforming challenges into promising opportunities and developing future solutions through the creativity of Emiratis. At DEWA, we adopt innovation as an organisational approach and a key driver for continuous development. We provide an encouraging environment for creativity and innovation, enabling employees to refine their skills, unleash their creativity and explore new avenues of innovation across DEWA's areas of work. This has contributed to elevating our operations and services to the highest international standards and consolidating DEWA's position as one of the best utilities worldwide,” said Al Tayer.

Innovative projects

DEWA's innovative projects promote sustainability, enhance energy and water efficiency, and employ the latest disruptive technologies of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. These projects include:

• Smart energy management: A smart system using advanced Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI) to monitor and optimise energy consumption in buildings.

• Smart management of MDGs: A GIS solution designed to efficiently manage the operations of mobile diesel generators (MDGs), reducing breakdowns.

• Digitalisation of asset monitoring and analytics: A system that integrates Big Data and AI technologies to simplify and improve operations.

• 3D printing solutions for spare parts: A 3D printing initiative aimed at improving spare parts management by reducing costs and lead times.

• Key management system (KMS): A system that facilitates substation access for engineers without the need for external parties.

• Digital disruption: A generative AI-powered knowledge-mining bot that facilitates efficient information retrieval, content analysis and productivity enhancement.

• Smart Quick-Lock leak repair: A robotic system for repairing distribution pipeline leaks using smart robots, avoiding earthworks and reducing external costs.

• Real-time online water quality monitoring platform (MaiQ): A solar-powered water quality analyser (WQA) that monitors water quality in real time.

• Hydraulic model extension period simulation (EPS): A digital tool that analyses water flow and pressure changes, enhancing water network management.

• Data logger uses & applications: Strategically placed devices throughout the water system to monitor flow rates and pressure, enabling quick identification and response to leaks.

• High Electricity Usage Alert: Part of the ‘Smart Living’ initiative, this service provides real-time notifications to customers about changes in their consumption patterns, helping them to improve energy efficiency.

• DEWA’s space programme (Space-D): This initiative offers users a VR experience to learn about DEWA’s two nanosatellites, DEWA SAT-1 and DEWA SAT-2. Users can also explore DEWA's ground station control room.

• Future Trend Platform: A smart dashboard system utilising artificial intelligence to analyse future trends and support better decision-making.

• Future Signal Catalogue: A future-shaping tool that enables employees to identify and record signals with the potential to evolve into strategic initiatives.

• Automation of Future Wave Report: A smart tool for gathering key information on emerging trends, including market analysis and required skills.

• Site Activities Management Platform: A unified digital platform for contractors to manage all site construction activities, including work permits and field inspections.

• Voice of Customer: A platform that enables DEWA to collect, analyse and interpret customer feedback from all DEWA channels in a structured and visual manner to enhance the customer experience.

• Infento Talent Kit: A modular educational kit designed for students, helping them develop engineering skills by building real toys.DEWA Libraries’ robotics: AI-powered robots that enable users to search for resources efficiently, using voice commands, and receive real-time guidance.