Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) showcased its key projects and innovative initiatives at the 23rd Water, Energy, Technology, and Environment Exhibition (WETEX) and Dubai Solar Show (DSS), which concluded recently.
Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA, Founder and Chairman of WETEX and DSS, said that the exhibition, held in conjunction with Expo 2020 Dubai, provided an opportunity to showcase DEWA’s globally leading achievements for millions of visitors.
It provided an ideal platform to enhance collaborations with DEWA and help it develop its business in the MENA region.
Among the projects and initiatives showcased were:
Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park
DEWA is showcasing a model of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, the largest single-site solar park in the world with a planned capacity of 5,000 megawatts (MW) in 2030. The first stage of the Solar Park’s fifth phase was recently launched, increasing DEWA’s total capacity from clean energy to 1,310 MW. DEWA’s capacity has reached 13,200 MW of electricity and 490 million gallons of water per day (MIGD).
DEWA is also showcasing a model of the Innovation Centre at the Solar Park, which has consolidated its position as a global platform for promoting the future of sustainable energy.
DEWA’s Space D-Programme
DEWA’s Space-D project includes the launch of a satellite constellation to support its primary satellite. These will be manufactured by Emiratis at the Research and Development (R&D) Centre of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park. The system features a ground station at the solar park as well as IoT and AI technologies to support ground communication transmission stations in electricity and water networks.
By deploying this infrastructure, DEWA seeks to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of its planning and operations, and enhance preventive maintenance at its production, transmission, distribution divisions as well as its smart grids, and electric vehicle charging stations.
Green Hydrogen project
DEWA’s stand presented a model for the green hydrogen project, a pioneering project implemented in collaboration between DEWA, Expo 2020 Dubai and Siemens Energy at the outdoor testing facilities of the Solar Park. It is the first project of its kind in the MENA region to produce hydrogen from solar power.
The Hatta Projects
DEWA is showcasing its pioneering projects in Hatta. These include the hydroelectric power plant, the first of its kind in the GCC to generate electricity using stored water in Hatta Dam. The station’s production capacity will reach 250 MW. It will have a storage capacity of 1,500 megawatt-hours.
DEWA’s projects in Hatta also include Dubai Summit, and Hatta Sustainable Waterfalls. Dubai Summit includes the construction of a 5.4-kilometre cable car to transport tourists to the summit of Um Al Nesoor, which is the highest natural summit in Dubai at 1,300 metres above sea level.
Hatta Sustainable Waterfalls will use the slope of the upper dam to create a natural waterfall. A waterway will be built along the parking area below the dam. The water used in the waterfall will be collected at the end of the stream, recycled, and pumped back to the top of the dam.
Net Zero Energy Buildings
DEWA also showcased its net-zero energy buildings, which received the Platinum Rating in the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) for Cities certification awarded by the US Green Building Council (USGBC).
These include DEWA’s Sustainable Building, the first sustainable government building in the UAE and the largest government building in the world certified by LEED; Al-Shera’a Building, DEWA’s new headquarters, which will be the tallest, largest, and smartest government Zero Energy building in the world; the Innovation Centre; R&D Centre; Smart Grids Station (SGS); Moro Hub in Jebel Ali; and the Distribution Power Division Complex in Al Ruwayyah.
Solar Decathlon Middle East
DEWA is organising the second Solar Decathlon Middle East (SDME) to design solar-powered buildings in conjunction with Expo 2020 Dubai as part of a partnership between DEWA, the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy (DSCE), and the US Department of Energy.
Smart Grid Strategy
WETEX and DSS witnesses the launch of DEWA Smart Grid Strategy 2021-2035 and DEWA Smart Grid Report 2021. DEWA’s Smart Grid Strategy 2021 – 2035 includes six main themes: Foundational Capabilities; Grid Automation; Smart Energy Solutions and Green Mobility; Smart Water; Artificial Intelligence; and Innovative Value-Added Services. The Smart Grid Strategy themes comprise 19 smart grid capabilities.
Shams Dubai
The Shams Dubai initiative aims to encourage building owners to install solar photovoltaic panels to produce clean energy and connect it to DEWA’s grid.
Smart Living initiative
The Smart Living initiative helps customers adopt a sustainable lifestyle, digitally and proactively monitor their water and electricity usage, and resolve any issues causing excessive waste without contacting DEWA.
EV Green Charger
The EV Green Charger initiative aims to provide EV charging stations across Dubai and promote sustainable mobility. This initiative has provided the first public infrastructure for EV chargers in the region. Customers can access DEWA’s green charger stations, which have reached more than 300 stations across the city, through its app.
Storing desalinated water
DEWA is building a subterranean water basin to store 6,000 million gallons of water that can be retrieved when needed. This will provide the Emirate with a strategic reserve of over 50 million gallons of water per day in emergencies, while ensuring the quality of the stored water remains unaffected by external factors.
Among other initiatives that were presented to the public were the Shams station at the Solar Park; Sandblasting Robotic Arm; Noor and Hayat and Green Pledge; conservation brochures; conservation savings; ‘Ideal Home’ initiative; SOQOOR Programme, and the various DEWA Subsidiaries.
