DEWA’s R&D Centre Pioneers Digital Approach For Critical Asset Assessment

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA)’s Research and Development (R&D) Centre has introduced a digital-first method to evaluate the condition of essential assets like power transformers and overhead lines (OHL). This approach eliminates the need for on-site sensors or hardware installations, relying solely on asset data and geographic locations.

Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA, stated, "We implement the latest digital innovative strategies to enhance the efficiency and reliability of our electricity and water networks. By deploying Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies, we enable DEWA to maintain world-class service levels. We accelerate our journey towards the digital transformation of our electricity and water networks to meet the growing demand in Dubai and uphold DEWA’s excellence and leadership as one of the best utilities in the world. We are proud of the advanced and innovative scientific research conducted by DEWA’s R&D Centre. Our researchers play a key role in developing and testing solutions to address the needs of utilities and enrich the local and international scientific community."

This innovative method adheres to ISO 9223:2012 standards for assessing atmospheric corrosivity, which helps estimate conductor corrosion rates for OHL. For power transformers, it uses IEC 60067-7 standards, factoring in ambient external temperatures as predictive elements.

The R&D Centre has also created a user-friendly interface to provide meaningful insights. These insights assist stakeholders in making data-driven decisions, leading to cost savings and improved operational efficiency.

The developed approach aims to foster collaboration by breaking down silos between business units using a digital platform ecosystem. This integration enhances communication among different departments involved.

Waleed Bin Salman, Executive Vice President of Business Development and Excellence at DEWA, mentioned that DEWA’s R&D Centre equips its staff with cutting-edge global technologies, labs, and advanced facilities to foster an ideal environment for solution development.

Utilising Historical Weather Data

The Centre utilised its weather modelling capabilities to generate historical data from the past five years. This data was digitally combined with metrics affecting these assets due to weather conditions.

Maintenance teams can use these insights to adjust their schedules accordingly. They can prioritise activities based on this information, aiding operational planning businesses in deciding whether operations or replacements are necessary.

Estimating Remaining Useful Life

Additionally, this approach allows for estimating the Remaining Useful Life (RUL) of these assets. This estimation helps maximise asset utilisation efficiently.

The new system is designed not only for operational efficiency but also for enhancing user experience through an intuitive interface. The insights provided by this system support informed decision-making processes across various business units within DEWA.

This initiative aligns with DEWA's commitment to leveraging advanced technologies for maintaining high service standards while meeting Dubai's growing demands. The R&D Centre's efforts contribute significantly to both local and international scientific communities by developing practical solutions for utility needs.

With inputs from WAM