The Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (Dewa) is testing a smart grid analytics project that uses voltage and current measurements from primary substations to detect and forecast disturbances on the medium voltage.

The tests at Dewa’s R&D centre should help with necessary maintenance proactively to ensure the continuity of supplies, according to high standards of reliability, resilience, accountability and availability. The R&D centre will also evaluate the dInsight analytics platform, which provides comprehensive visual analytics of the grid, loads and supplies.

Mohammed Al Tayer, CEO of Dewa, highlighted the essential role the R&D centre plays in developing sustainable, effective and proactive systems and solutions to the problems facing the various divisions of Dewa. This ensures continuous improvement of Dewa’s core operations by relying on research and innovation, achieving its vision to become a globally leading sustainable innovative corporation.

The R&D centre is at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park.

“The R&D centre supports Dewa’s efforts to anticipate the future, develop long-term proactive plans to keep pace with the Fourth Industrial Revolution and innovate disruptive technologies to provide world-class services that enhance the quality of life in Dubai,” said Al Tayer. “The centre also supports the national plans and strategies including the Dubai 10X initiative, which aids Dubai’s progress into leading the future by making it ten years ahead of other cities. The centre aims to enhance Dubai’s position as a global hub for research and development in solar energy, smart grids, energy and water efficiency, as well as build capacities in these sectors to enable Dubai to meet the requirements of sustainable development.”

Waleed Bin Salman, executive vice president at Dewa, added: “The R&D centre collaborates with different local and global entities to achieve Dewa’s objectives in promoting sustainability in energy supplies, diversifying energy sources and creating a work environment that encourages innovation. This is achieved by creating a platform for creativity and innovation in clean and renewable energy technologies and training Emirati staff.”