Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has invited the public to visit its stand at City Walk, Dubai, until 28 February 2019, to learn about its futuristic projects, innovations by its staff, as well as prominent innovations from local and international start-ups. Visitors can also take part in workshops and activities suitable for all age groups. This is part of DEWA’s participation in the UAE Innovation Month, announced by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, under the theme ‘UAE Innovates’.

HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA, affirmed that the UAE is one of the pioneering countries in innovation. The wise leadership is transitioning the country to a knowledge-based economy by encouraging innovation, research and development, launching strategies and initiatives to develop and institutionalise government innovation, and developing professionals capable of innovation and creativity across all areas.

“Our wise leadership attaches great importance to providing an environment that comprehensively supports creativity and innovation. Dedicating a whole month for innovation in the UAE helps encourage innovators, develop creativity and innovation capabilities, and establish innovation as a standard practice across all work levels. It also promotes competitiveness in the public and private sectors to achieve the National Innovation Strategy, which aims to make the UAE one of the most innovative countries in the world. At DEWA, we are working to instil a culture of creativity and innovation and disseminate it as a standard-approved practice to develop services and raise their efficiency, strengthening Dubai’s position as a hub for innovation and an incubator for innovators. This supports the Dubai Innovation Strategy that emphasises innovation as a priority for the development of government initiatives and a basis for developing strategies and action plans in various areas and sectors. DEWA adopts an integrated strategy to motivate and implement innovative suggestions and research programmes in energy, renewable energy, and water to strengthen DEWA’s leading position and achieve its vision to become a leading, sustainable, innovative, global corporation,” said Al Tayer.

DEWA’s stand at City Walk has innovations by its staff and local and international start-ups, as well as DEWA’s projects. These include the Green Hydrogen project, the first solar-driven hydrogen electrolysis facility in the MENA region, which is currently being built at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park. The hydrogen produced at the facility will be stored and deployed for re-electrification, transportation and other uses. DEWA is also highlighting the High-Water Usage Alert system by DEWA’s Green Dubai, which helps customers discover possible leaks in their water connections. The system sends instant notifications to the customer if there is any unusual increase in usage, so they can check their internal plumbing and repair any leaks. DEWA’s stand also includes Rammas, DEWA’s virtual employee that uses Artificial Intelligence to answer customers’ queries in Arabic and English.

Staff innovations include DEWA Submarine, which is used to detect water leakages; Tawaf Robot Metro Piping, which is a robotic system that can be programmed by smart phones to inspect water pipes; 3D Printing Robot, which is a 3D-printed robot used to study the robotic system as well as 3D printing; Smart Controller, which is a control and monitoring device powered by super-capacitors instead of batteries; Design & Fabrication of Ferrule, to replace pressurised water pipes without interrupting the water supply; and the Autonomous Soiling Detector on Photovoltaic Panel, which works on solar power to send alerts for solar panel cleaning, and sending the data to the control system for analysis.

Innovations presented by start-ups include the CableWalker is a drone to monitor and inspect power cables. The GreenBird is a platform to demonstrate data from utilities and the power grid. The Verv is a home energy monitoring system on actual appliances. The Gridwatch monitors the electricity grid. The Smart IOT is an Internet of Things advanced platform.