Thursday, Apr 26, 2012
Gulf News
Dubai: The Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) has invited competent consulting firms to submit proposals for the implementation of a Smart Grid strategy to improve the effective utilisation of electricity by optimising power generation, transmission, distribution, operations and maintenance.
A smart grid is a digitally-enabled electrical grid that gathers, distributes and acts on information about the behaviour of all participants (suppliers and consumers) in order to improve the efficiency, importance, reliability, econ-omics, and sustainability of electricity services.
The last date for receiving tenders is May 17.
Additional barriers
Saeed Al Tayer, managing director and chief executive officer of Dewa, said: Dewa is now working on a Smart Grid strategy to identify breakthrough opportunities and challenges through the integration of Smart Grid applications and initiatives. Nonetheless, we understand that utilities are still facing additional ?barriers such as the need to change consumer behaviour, ensure cost-effectiveness and to overcome financial constraints, perceived infrastructure complexity and necessary advances in technologies.
Al Tayer said Dewa was better than the top ten utilities in America and Europe in terms of availability, reliability and efficiency.
Our Network Line losses are only 3.49 per cent, the customer minutes lost per year are only 5.8 minutes, and Dewas gross efficiency improvement in production is 20 per cent, calculated based on our readings for 2011.
By Zaher Bitar, Staff Reporter
Gulf News 2012. All rights reserved.
