Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) organised 30 seminars and sessions that focused on energy efficiency, smart grids, artificial intelligence, alternative and renewable energy, future energy systems, conservation and environment. Some of the best experts and specialists from the biggest local and international companies working in energy, water, technology, sustainability and environment participated in the seminars.

The seminars were part of the 21st Water, Energy, Technology, and Environment Exhibition (WETEX 2019). DEWA organised the exhibition under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai; and under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Minister of Finance and President of DEWA; from October 21-23 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre. WETEX 2019 was held under the umbrella of the sixth Green Week and coincided with the 4th Dubai Solar Show.

“DEWA organises innovative and constructive interactive events that enhance Dubai’s position in shaping the future of energy. This supports the vision of the wise leadership and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, to establish Dubai’s position as an incubator for innovation, and a beacon of innovation to be at the forefront of cities, that not only anticipates the future, but makes it. WETEX attracts the finest speakers, experts, specialists, solution providers, investors, decision-makers and customers from both public and private sectors from the region and the world. DEWA provides all requirements to enhance WETEX’s position as an international forum for energy regionally and internationally, by providing solutions for current and future challenges, and the early recognition of future opportunities, and innovation in renewable and clean energy,” said HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD and CEO of DEWA and Founder and Chairman of WETEX.

“WETEX has become a popular destination for decision-makers, investors and business visitors from around the world. WETEX is a leading global platform that highlights the interrelationship between sustainability and the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the impact of disruptive technologies, digital transformation, Artificial Intelligence and Research & Development (R&D) for the production of clean energy and water. This supports Dubai’s transformation into a global hub for clean energy and green economy, to ensure a bright future for generations to come,” added Al Tayer.

The First Day:

The opening day of WETEX 2019 featured 8 sessions. The first session was titled ‘Optimising Power Plants with AI, featured the participation of Ziad al-Sati from Siemens. This was followed by the sessions ‘Secure Your Future in Water with ABB, Today’ by Ahmed Radwan of the Swiss group ABB; ‘The Future of Data-driven Utilities’ featuring Honeywell’s Ali Mouslmani; ‘Renewable Energy’ featuring Javier Carvajal of ACWA Power; ‘SEL Microgrid Control Systems’ by S. Rajkumar from SEL; and ‘Ras Al Khaimah Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Strategy 2040’ with the participation of Andrea Di Gregorio of Ras Al Khaimah Municipality. The first day concluded with two sessions titled ‘Dell Technologies – Best Practices in Tools and Systems for Energy Efficiency and Smart Metering’ presented by Hani Khalaf, and the ‘Role of Data Enabled Services in Energy Optimisation’ by Jovin Matthew of Johnson Controls.

The second day featured 11 discussion sessions, with ‘Future Energy System: Clean and Sustainable’ by Stefan Diezinger of Siemens. This was followed by ‘Carbon Capture and Utilisation in Seawater Desalination’ by Thomas Altmann of ACWA Power; ‘Key Drivers for Cheap Solar Cells Progression’ by Dr. Ibraheem Al Mansouri from Masdar; and ‘Dubai Silicon Oasis’ Sustainable Journey by Utilising Emerging Technologies’ featuring M. Subramanian, Ameer A. Manyar and Bijumon Nair.

The fifth session was titled ‘ENOC Retail Compact Station’ with the participation of Marwa Abdulla from ENOC; and the sixth was on ‘Innovative FRP Solutions for Water Transmission and Distribution Networks’ by Hassan Darwich from Gulf Eternit. The session ‘Effective Implementation of AI and Advanced Analytics at DEWA’ with Adel Altamimi will follow. After that, ‘Active Network Management’ with Mohamed Afani of Lucy Electric, and ‘Revolutionising Sustainability by Utilising Energy Modeling & BIM’ with Mina Metry of AEC took place respectively. The second day concluded with a session entitled ‘Battery Energy Storage System and its Application for Grid Stability’ with Harshitha Kumar of L&T; and ‘Technical Research on the EHV Cable Integrated System and Its Applications’ with the participation of Ma Lanjie from TBEA.

The third and final day included 11 panel discussions. The session ‘Efficiency, Sustainability and Energy Conservation’ featured David Ungar of Acwa Power, while ‘Digitalisation of Energy Grids’ saw the participation of Kuldeep Tickoo of Siemens. ‘Smart Energy Solutions’ by Ibrahim Amin and Pradeep Kumar Singh of Etihad ESCO was next, followed by sessions entitled ‘Power Transformers of the Future’ by Andrew Collier of ABB; ‘Deep Water Well Construction for Water Resources’ by Sahin Atmaca from ZETAS; and ‘Environment-Friendly Lead Sheath Alternative for Cables’ featuring Mohamad El Chmouri of Riyadh Cables Group Company.

The seventh session was entitled ‘What is Next in MV Switchgears?’ by Basil Al Mabrouk of Alfanar, followed by ‘Effect of Ever Increased Usage of LED Lighting Load on Cast Resin Transformers’ by participation Suleyman Demirakaya from Emirates Transformer & Switchgear. The final day was then concluded with ‘Thermodynamic Solar Systems’ by Hugo Domingues from Al Mostajed Technologies, a discussion by Itron entitled ‘Smart Grid Implementation in Dubai’ with Jorge Duarte, and a session by Jörg Althaus of TUV Rheinland Arabia entitled ‘PV Power Plants – Risk Mitigation through Supply Chain and System Qualification.’