HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), has inspected DEWA’s pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai, which is characterised by a modern design that aligns with its role as the Official Sustainable Energy Partner of Expo 2020 Dubai and its efforts to reshape the concept of utilities to contribute to making Dubai the smartest and happiest city in the world.
Al Tayer was accompanied by Abdullah Obaidullah, Executive Vice President of Water and Civil; Waleed Salman, Executive Vice President of Business Development & Excellence; Marwan bin Haidar, Executive Vice President of Innovation and the Future; Mohammed Al Shamsi, Vice President of Civil Projects Engineering & Water Maintenance; and other DEWA officials. DEWA’s pavilion in the Sustainability District of Expo 2020 Dubai is 100% complete. Its design aligns with development and innovation, as reflected in the exterior, which features decorative ribbed façade that mimic onward moving portals consistent with the progressive initiatives undertaken by DEWA.
Al Tayer said that DEWA has allocated AED 4.26 billion to supply the world-class event with electricity and water as well as supporting its electricity and water infrastructure projects using the latest smart systems.
“We are applying all our efforts, expertise, and capabilities so that Expo 2020 Dubai will achieve the desired success that befits the UAE, in line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to host the best Expo in the history of World Expos and make the experience of Dubai visitors unforgettable. We are confident that Expo 2020 Dubai will be an international platform that contributes to developing innovative solutions to the various challenges facing the world for a brighter future for generations to come,”
Al Tayer noted that through its participation in Expo 2020 Dubai, DEWA aims to provide a unique experience for visitors and introduce them to DEWA’s efforts, which contribute to making Dubai the smartest and happiest city in the world. DEWA’s pavilion highlights our innovative projects and initiatives, especially in renewable and clean energy and using Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies to disrupt the entire business of public utilities. DEWA intends to become the world’s first digital utility to use autonomous systems through Digital DEWA, its digital arm. DEWA’s pavilion features three key areas: The exhibition area, which includes eight projects; the backyard; and the Solar Decathlon Middle East (SDME) area.
Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park
DEWA’s pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai highlights the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, the largest single-site solar park in the world with a planned capacity of 5,000 megawatts (MW) by 2030. Upon its completion, the solar park will reduce over 6.5 million tonnes of carbon emissions annually.
Green Hydrogen project
DEWA showcases the Green Hydrogen project, the first of its kind in the MENA to produce hydrogen using solar power. It was implemented in collaboration between DEWA, Expo 2020 Dubai, and Siemens Energy at the outdoor testing facilities of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park. The pilot plant has been designed to accommodate future applications and test platforms of different uses for hydrogen for industry and transportation.
Digital DEWA
Digital DEWA, the digital arm of DEWA, aims to make DEWA the world’s first digital utility to use autonomous systems for renewable energy and storage while expanding the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital services. Digital DEWA focuses on four pillars: Solar Energy, Energy Storage, AI, and digital services.
Hydroelectric power plant in Hatta
The 250MW pumped-storage hydroelectric power plant in Hatta is the first of its kind in the GCC, with a storage capacity of 1,500 megawatt-hours and a life span of up to 80 years. The hydroelectric power station will use water in the Hatta Dam and an upper reservoir that is being built in the mountain. Advanced turbines that run on clean energy generated at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, will pump water from the dam to the upper reservoir. Turbines operated by the waterfall speed from the upper reservoir will be used to generate electricity and supply it to DEWA’s grid.
DEWA’s Space-D programme
DEWA showcases its Space-D programme, which aims to build DEWA’s capabilities and train Emirati professionals to use space technologies to enhance its electricity and water networks, and will take advantage of the Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies. The project features the launch of the main satellite equipped with the latest imaging and satellite communication technologies to monitor the performance and efficiency of the photovoltaic solar panels at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park using special cameras on the primary satellite. It will also study the impact of weather and climate change on energy infrastructure and supply, to enhance the reliability of supply and sustainability of resources.
Al Shera’a Building
DEWA’s pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai features a model of its new headquarters named Al Shera’a (Arabic for Sail). It will be the world’s tallest, largest, and smartest government Zero Energy building. Total energy used in the building during a year will be equal to or less than the energy produced on-site during that year. DEWA’s new headquarters is designed to receive a platinum rating by LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) and a silver rating from the WELL Building Standard. It will use the latest technologies, including IoT, Big Data and Open Data, AI, and the latest smart-building management technologies.
Dubai Mountain Peak and Hatta Sustainable Waterfalls
Besides the hydroelectric power station, DEWA is implementing two projects in Hatta; ‘Dubai Mountain Peak’ and ‘Hatta Sustainable Waterfalls.’ The ‘Dubai Mountain Peak’ project includes the construction of a 5.4 kilometre cable car to transport tourists to the summit of Um Al-Nesoor. At 1,300 metres above sea level, it is the highest natural summit in Dubai. The project is expected to be a major tourist attraction in the UAE. The cable car route passes over the Hatta Dam lake and the upper reservoir of the hydroelectric power station, as well as through mountains, ending at the summit of Um Al Nesoor mountain. The ‘Hatta Sustainable Waterfalls’ project will use the slope of the upper dam to create a natural waterfall. A waterway will be built along the parking area below the dam. The water used in the waterfall will be collected at the end of the stream, recycled and pumped back to the top of the dam. Fish bred in the stream will provide an additional attraction for tourists and families.
World Green Economy Organization
As part of its pavilion, DEWA has dedicated a stand for the World Green Economy Organization (WGEO), which was launched by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in October 2016 during the World Green Economy Summit in Dubai. WGES aims to enhance the transition to a green economy and support countries and organisations in implementing their green strategies and plans. WGEO and the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment will organise the ‘MENA Climate Week 2022’, in collaboration with UNDP, the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and the World Bank Group. The UAE will host the event for the first time in the MENA on 2-3 March 2022.
Solar Decathlon Middle East
DEWA has allocated a stand at its pavilion for the Solar Decathlon Middle East (SDME), which is organised by DEWA under the patronage of HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai. It is part of the partnership between the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy and DEWA with the US Department of Energy. DEWA will showcase the designs submitted by universities in the second SDME, which will be held in conjunction with Expo 2020 Dubai. DEWA will also showcase the design that won 1st place in the first SDME, which DEWA organised in 2018. It was designed by a team from Virginia Tech in the US.