23 July 2017

Dubai, UAE - HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) visited the Research & Development (R&D) Centre, at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, in Seih Al-Dahal, Dubai. This is part of the various field visits, conducted by Al Tayer, to follow-up on the progress of DEWA’s vital projects.

Senior DEWA officials accompanying Al Tayer included Abdullah Obaidullah, Executive Vice President of Water & Civil; Jamal Shaheen Al Hammadi, Vice President of Special Projects;  and Mohammed Al Shamsi, Vice President of Civil Projects Engineering & Water Maintenance.

Al Tayer was briefed on the progress of the R&D Centre, by representatives from Stantec International; the consulting company responsible for design and construction of the Centre, as well as representatives from Reem Capital Contracting (RCC). Al Tayer stressed the need to adhere to the highest standards of security, health and safety, and to complete the project according to the highest quality standards and the project contractual schedule.

“In line with the directives of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and in adherence with the National Innovation Strategy, we are working to enhance the excellence and competitiveness of the UAE and Dubai, by providing the highest quality government services. The R&D Centre will adopt a strategic perspective to keep abreast of scientific and research developments in the field of renewable energy, and will support the objectives of the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 to diversify energy sources and enhance energy efficiency,” said Al Tayer.

“The Centre aims to support DEWA’s vision to promote sustainability in energy supply, diversify energy sources, and create a business environment that encourages innovation. It also aims to support Dubai's strategy to build a knowledge-based economy by improving efficiency standards and supporting renewable energy initiatives, especially the solar energy and related initiatives and activities. The Centre will contribute to strengthening Dubai's position as a global hub, for research and development, in the field of solar energy, smart grids, and energy and water efficiency. It will also enhance capacity building in these sectors to enable Dubai to meet the requirements of sustainable development in the emirate. We aim to create a platform for innovation and creativity in renewable energy and clean technologies, and we will train our national capabilities, to keep up with this requirement,” added Al Tayer.

The R&D Centre was launched in 2014, and will focus on four key operations. These include producing electricity using solar energy, integration of smart grids, energy efficiency, and water.  AED 500 million is being dedicated towards R&D and the Centre will be ready in 2020. The R&D Centre infrastructure includes indoor laboratories, to study and test the reliability of systems. The outdoor laboratories will conduct field tests of techniques and tools, which include studies on mitigating the effects of dust on the performance of solar panels. This is part of DEWA’s efforts to promote the production of clean energy, and reduce operating costs.

The Centre includes an Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) lab, built with 3D-printing technology. DEWA is studying the possibility of using 3D-printing technology in the development of spare parts, to improve the performance of UAVs, based on Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the maintenance and operations in its work. DEWA is also studying the possibility of utilising this technology, to promote innovation and creativity, in cooperation with prestigious research centres and universities around the world. Through its R&D initiatives, DEWA is utilising 3D printing and additive manufacturing, as innovative solutions for its internal printing operations for non-metallic spare parts for equipment. This eliminated the lead time for procurement, reduce costs, extends the lifetime of the equipment, and enhances innovation at DEWA.

DEWA is currently working on capacity building in 3D printing, by collaborating with leading organisations, such as General Electric (GE). DEWA is also studying 3D printing applications in utilities.

DEWA has signed agreements with several national entities, institutions, and companies, including the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) of the US Department of Energy, and the Spanish National Renewable Energy Centre (CENER) in R&D, and the latest developments in the fields of energy, water and the environment. DEWA is also collaborating with the United Arab Emirates University (UAEU), and Khalifa University, in the field of joint research and studies in renewable energy.

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© Press Release 2017