DEWA uses AI to boost energy services and smart grid in Dubai

Photo: Dubai Government Media Office

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) is working hard to make sure that everyone in Dubai gets the best electricity and water services. As part of its big digital change plan, DEWA is now using more Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies to make its work easier, faster, and smarter, especially in how it sends electricity to homes and businesses. This change is not just about using new machines or computers but about making life easier for people in Dubai.

What is DEWA Doing?

DEWA is focusing on making its smart grid better. A smart grid is like a strong and smart network that connects all the electricity lines, power stations, and meters in the city. It helps in sending electricity where it is needed without any delay or problem. DEWA has planned to invest AED 7 billion in this smart grid project up to the year 2035. This huge amount will help make sure that people in Dubai get electricity and water anytime they need, without any interruption.

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What Did DEWA’s CEO Say?

His Excellency Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, who is the Managing Director and CEO of DEWA, said that DEWA’s Distribution Network Smart Centre is doing a very important job. Every day, this centre collects more than 15 million pieces of data from the distribution network. For example, it collects data about how much electricity is used, where there are problems, and how everything is working. This data is then studied and turned into reports and colourful dashboards so that DEWA can make better decisions. These decisions help in making sure that there are no power cuts and that everything works smoothly.

How Does DEWA Use AI and Big Data?

DEWA is not just collecting data but also using AI, Big Data, and machine learning to understand it better. Big Data means a very large amount of information, and AI helps to read and understand this information quickly. Machine learning is like teaching the computer to learn new things from the data on its own. For example, if a problem happens in one area, the computer can learn why it happened and help prevent it in other areas in the future. This way, DEWA can find problems even before they happen and fix them quickly. This keeps the customers happy because they do not face any trouble.

Why Is AI Important for DEWA?

According to Mr Al Tayer, using AI is helping DEWA to keep Dubai at the top when it comes to smart and advanced cities. He said that their projects and ideas are making Dubai a global leader in using AI and digital technologies. Because of AI, DEWA has been able to reduce the time when people lose electricity. For example, in 2024, each customer in Dubai lost electricity for only 0.94 minutes on average during the whole year. This is a very small time compared to European countries where people lose electricity for about 15 minutes every year.

How Many Substations and Smart Meters Are There?

By the end of 2024, DEWA had built sixty-nine 33kV substations. A substation is a place where electricity is managed and sent to different areas. DEWA also had 45,317 medium-voltage substations of 11kV and 6.6kV. These help in controlling the flow of electricity to homes, offices, schools, malls, and other places.

Because Dubai is growing fast with new buildings, businesses, and people coming to live here, the need for electricity is also growing. To meet this need, DEWA has installed more than 1.2 million smart electricity meters and more than 1.1 million smart water meters. These smart meters help in knowing exactly how much electricity or water a person uses each day, each week, or each month. They also help DEWA to find any problem quickly and fix it without delay.

How Do Smart Meters Help?

Smart meters are different from old meters. Earlier, someone had to come to your home to check how much electricity or water you used. But now, with smart meters, DEWA can see this information from their office itself. This saves time and makes the work easier. It also helps in keeping a record of how much energy people are using so that they can be careful and save energy.

All the customers in Dubai now use smart meters. This means DEWA has a 100% smart network for both electricity and water. This is a big success because it makes the whole system fast, modern, and strong.

How Does This Help Dubai?

Using AI and smart technologies is making Dubai one of the most advanced cities in the world. People here get their electricity and water without any problem. Even if there is a small issue, DEWA can find it quickly and solve it. This keeps the city running smoothly without any power cuts or water shortage.

DEWA is also supporting the environment by using smart ways to save electricity and water. When electricity is used properly without waste, it helps in saving natural resources and protecting the planet.

What Is the Future Plan?

DEWA plans to continue using AI and digital technologies in all its work. It wants to make the smart grid even better by 2035. This will not only help in providing uninterrupted services to the people but will also support Dubai’s goal to be the best city in the world in using technology for the comfort of its residents.

In Simple Words

• DEWA is using AI to improve its electricity and water services.

• It has invested AED 7 billion in its smart grid until 2035.

• DEWA collects over 15 million data units every day to make smart decisions.

• It uses AI, Big Data, and machine learning to find and fix problems quickly.

• Dubai has the world’s lowest electricity interruption time – only 0.94 minutes in 2024.

• There are 69 big substations and 45,317 medium substations in Dubai.

• DEWA has installed over 1.2 million smart electricity meters and over 1.1 million smart water meters.

• All customers now use smart meters, making the system fully smart and efficient.