Stressing that using advanced technologies and adopting innovative solutions to develop sustainable projects are vital to accomplishing the country’s strategic objectives, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai said: “We are working steadily to establish global leadership in every sector. Development projects will not stop in our country. We continue to execute innovative initiatives that promote the happiness and wellbeing of the people. Investing in and nurturing our human capital continues to be one of our biggest priorities so that our people can innovate and accomplish great things.
“The real value of our projects lies in their ability to achieve our strategic objectives, maximise the use of available resources and adopt the latest innovations. Furthermore, the success of these projects is determined by their positive impact and the enhanced quality of life they help achieve.”
Sheikh Mohammed’s comments came during his visit to the Innovation Tent at Dubai Electricity and Water Authority’s (DEWA’s) head office, accompanied by HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai; HH Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai; and HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation.
During the visit, His Highness launched DEWA’s space programme, Space-D, an initiative that aims to build DEWA’s capabilities and train Emirati professionals to use space technologies to enhance its electricity and water networks. The programme will take advantage of Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies such as Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and blockchain to exchange information with the help of satellite communications and earth observation technologies. The project features the launch of a main satellite equipped with the latest imaging and satellite communication technologies, which will take place in conjunction with Expo 2020 Dubai to be held from 1 October 2021 to 31 March 2022.
The project supports the National Space Strategy 2030, which aims to realise the leadership’s vision by using space sciences, technologies, applications and services to enhance development.
His Highness was briefed by HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Managing Director and CEO of DEWA, about the various phases of DEWA’s space programme, which seeks to enhance operational efficiency and effectiveness and promote preventive maintenance of electricity and water networks including planning, production, transmission and distribution.
The programme will also enhance flexibility and agility in monitoring and managing electricity and water networks and the accurate and rapid assessment of the impact of weather and climate change on energy supplies and energy infrastructure. It will also provide a backup support system for the network through satellite communications.
“We are guided by the ambitious vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Al Tayer said: “The UAE’s ambitious goals in the space sector are aimed at exploring, planning and shaping the future. Our youth, engineers and pioneers are opening new horizons for science, technology and innovation in this vital sector.
“DEWA’s space programme will contribute to enhancing the UAE’s global competitiveness and strategic partnerships in the national space sector as well as paving the way for a new phase of Emirati capabilities in space exploration, technology and related industries that will be used to strengthen electricity and water networks in Dubai.
“DEWA’s Space Programme will provide world-class services in cooperation with leading global satellite technology companies. We are committed to ensuring 100% availability of DEWA’s services and maintaining the highest levels of availability, reliability, and efficiency with the help of our state-of-the-art infrastructure and advanced technologies. Through innovation and sound scientific planning, we seek to contribute to making the UAE the world’s leading nation by its centennial in 2071.
“The programme supports the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy’s target of obtaining 75% of Dubai’s total power capacity from clean energy sources by 2050. The performance and efficiency of the photovoltaic solar panels at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park will be monitored using special cameras on the main satellite, which will also help study the impact of weather and climate change on energy infrastructure and supply.”
DEWA’s Space-D project includes the launch of a satellite constellation to support its primary satellite. Emiratis will manufacture these at the Research and Development (R&D) Centre of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park. The system features a ground station at the solar park, as well as IoT and AI technologies to support ground communication transmission stations in electricity and water networks. By deploying this infrastructure, DEWA seeks to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of its planning and operations, and enhance preventive maintenance at its production, transmission, distribution divisions, smart grids, and electric vehicle charging stations. Multi-spectrum, high-resolution thermal imaging devices such as those used onboard spacecraft, specifically designed for use in electricity and water networks, will be deployed to detect thermal fingerprints in high voltage transmission lines, substations, buildings and solar power stations.