The new Warsan Complex and Al Qusais Control Centre of the Dubai Electricity & Water Authority promote reliable, adequate, secure and efficient power in line with DEWA's mission to support Dubai's growth
The Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (DEWA) has further scaled up its infrastructure with the opening of the new Warsan Complex and Al Qusais Control Centre, which reflects DEWA's commitment to be a world-class sustainable utility.
HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Minister of Finance, and President of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), officially opened the centres in the presence of HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Supreme Council of Energy; HE Matar Humaid Al Tayer, Chairman of DEWA; DEWA's Board Members, EVP of DEWA, HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD and CEO of DEWA; as well as high ranked official from ministries, directors of governmental departments, and media representatives.
The new infrastructure additions are also in line with its commitment to drive the vision of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, to promote the sustainable development of the Emirate.
"The Warsan Complex is a significant addition to DEWA's facilities, which is line with the 'Green Economy for Sustainable Development' vision of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai," said HE Al Tayer.
"Through the new Centre, we are further driving our goal of achieving the highest possible quality, efficiency, and sustainability standards that fulfils our vision to becoming a world-class sustainable utility, while also supporting the socio-economic growth of the Emirate of Dubai."
He added: "The Control Centre at Warsan will play a key role in the strategic, economic and industrial expansion zones of the Emirate of Dubai by ensuring power supply continuity through Dubai networks in coordination with adjacent Emirates.
"It further updates and automate our systems and to meet the needs of urban expansion projects and growing demand for electricity and water services .There is tremendous potential for further expansion, as we continuously enhance our infrastructure to meet the requirements of Dubai.
"The transmission and distribution control systems have been designed to meet the expansion of transmission and distribution networks, and manage the needs of the increasing number of substations. We have conducted several voltage capacity tests to achieve the best performance of the networks. Besides, we have implemented a 'Multi-Site System' which provides alternative technical and geographical systems in case of emergency to minimise the impact of any unwarranted outage," added Al Tayer.
"The latest programmes enable full control over the network in Dubai and its operations, as well as to monitor the generation process automatically in coordination with various stations to the highest possible international quality, efficiency, and sustainability standards."
The Warsan Complex spreads over an area of 650,159 sq ft, and includes two transmission and distribution control centres, and a 430,630 sq ft administrative building capable of accommodating up to 2,350 employees, among other facilities.
The administrative building comprises the ground floor, two stories of parking and three floors, and houses the Transmission Maintenance Department, the Power Transmission Safety Department, the Transmission Network Installation Department, the Engineering Department, the Transmission Project Management Department, and the SCADA Network Management Department, and the office of the EVP of Power Transmission Division.
One of the control centres is for managing power generation and transmission of the 132/400 kV networks in coordination with Jebel Ali plants. The second works on monitoring and managing the networks to maintain continual improvement. The implemented systems in the control centres can exchange data and tasks in case of emergency, achieving 100% in terms of availability and reliability. The systems meet the future expansion of the network as it has more six times capacity compared to the old systems.
The Complex includes the first ISO/IEC 17025 certified testing lab for generator oil in the UAE, a mosque, and warehouses. The administration building features training and meeting halls, a library, a gym, a nursery, a coffee shop.
"The separation of the control centres facilitates seamless monitoring of the overall performance of the electric voltage to meet the technical requirements at the highest international standards. The control centres are equipped with training and simulation systems for providing specialised training for DEWA specialists who work in transmission, generation, and distribution control," added HE Al Tayer.
"Separating the control centres has enabled us to adopt two smart programmes for transmission and distribution. This will help us to complete the Smart Grid project efficiently, and meet the requirements of transmitting power through the National Emirates network according to the (NERC Standards)."
HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum remotely opened the AED 29 million Al Qusais Control Centre, which consists of two floors and includes distribution, planning, and coordination departments, a library, as well as the Distribution Research and Development department, a simulator, and on-site distribution management.
"The centre is equipped with the most advanced remote control and monitoring programmes using German technology including potential expansion opportunities. The latest programmes enable full control over the network in Dubai and its operations, in addition to monitoring generation process automatically in coordination with various stations to the highest international quality, efficiency, and sustainability standards," added Al Tayer.
With a ground floor and two floors of parking that can accommodate 380 vehicles, the Administrative Building at Warsan Complex has three floors that will include the Transportation Maintenance Department, the Electric Transmission Safety Department, the Transmission Network Installation Department, the Engineering Department, the Transportation Project Management Department, and the SCADA Network Management Department.
The various departments undertake the full range of activities from initiating the project to documentation, finalising the layout of the substation, technical review and supervision, overseeing the entire installation, testing and commissioning, protecting the systems, ensuring reliability and efficiency of the infrastructure, upholding the highest standards in environment, health, safety and quality, and ensuring all-round operational excellence.
The Transmission Control Centre at Warsan Complex will serve as a key hub of DEWA featuring the generation and transmission control room for the 400 kV network, and the Planning & Coordination Department for all power transmission operations.
The Control Centre's function is to ensure efficiency, safety, and sustainability of Dubai power supply, maintain the required electricity reserve for emergency cases, provide quick intervention to solve blackouts, and coordinate with various departments for swift power recovery, power exchange coordination with other Emirates, as well as monitor quality indicators and network performance to achieve sustainability and reliability.
The Warsan Complex also features the Project Monitoring Department, Transmission Maintenance Department, Transmission Commissioning Department, SCADA Networks Department, Transmission Engineering Department, Transmission Projects Department, and the EVP-TP office. It also includes a number of facilities such as conference rooms, guest room, library, gym, engineering lounge, and a new nursery.
Strengthening Reliability
The core objectives of the Transmission Control Centre at Warsan is to ensure that DEWA's generation and transmission system is reliable, adequate, secure and efficient, and enhances sustainability. It complements the operations of the Al Qusais Control Centre which oversees the strategic area of Deira, while Warsan oversees the economic and industrial expansion in Bur Dubai.
This is achieved by managing the generation system to meet system demand at all times with adequate reserves to prescribed transmission voltage and frequency in coordination with power stations. Using the latest state-of-the-art Spectrum SCADA system, it monitors generation and transmission system, and promptly responds to system disturbances and abnormalities. The Centre coordinates with all concerned departments to ensure early normalization of troubles.
Executing the commissioning of new transmission feeders and equipment, the Centre will also coordinate with the Emirates Monitoring Center (EMC) and Load Centers for the proper operation of the Emirates national Grid. It will work to restore the generation and transmission system in case of any interruption and system blackouts, thus ensuring the reliability of the city's power infrastructure.
Coordinating with other Distribution Control Centers (DCC) for the operation of common equipment, restoration of loads, and other real time operational matters, the Centre also works with 132kV private customers connected to DEWA network (such as DUBAL, RTA, Dubai International Airport, among others) during real time operation.
The new Centre now serves as a key infrastructure addition that highlights DEWA's industry leadership in ensuring seamless power and water supply to Dubai, and thus, to achieve the top ranking in the Doing Business report by the World Bank globally.
History of DEWA's Control Centres
· 1979: New Control centre was established in two portacabins, each for Transmission and Distribution
· 1980: Introduced new SCADA System for the control centre at Mushrif; manufacturer Siemens.
· 1982: The new SCADA Project is launched at Mushrif Control Centre
· 1988: Improvements made to Mushrif Control Centre to develop its capacity
· 1995: SCADA Temporary System introduced
· 1997: New Ranger SCADA System at Mushrif introduced to support the existing Siemens System
· 1999: New Global Ranger System (GRS) commissioned at Al Quoz; Mushrif kept as Emergency control centre (back-up) for Al Quoz
· 2005: Distribution Dispatch operation separated from Generation and Transmission operations
· 2012: New SCADA System implemented at Transmission Control Centres in Al Quoz and Warsan
· 2013: New SCADA System implemented at Distribution Control Centres in Warsan and Al Qusais.
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© Press Release 2014
