EWEC And Khalifa University Join Forces To Advance Grid Technologies For UAE

Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC) and Khalifa University of Science and Technology are partnering to build new digital tools for the UAE power system. The software aims to keep the national grid secure and stable while the country cuts emissions and adds more solar, batteries, and low-carbon water production across Abu Dhabi and the wider UAE.

The collaboration focuses on advanced software modules that support real-time grid operations. These tools will help operators manage large volumes of solar power and battery energy storage, protect system limits, and manage sudden changes in output. The work supports both day-to-day reliability and long-term energy security as renewable capacity continues to expand.

One core workstream will produce intelligent modules that forecast power ramping needs when solar output changes quickly. These tools will act as advisory systems for control room staff. They will help operators decide when to adjust resources so that equipment stays within safe operating ranges and the grid remains secure under changing conditions.

Another key area covers machine learning tools for system stability. EWEC and Khalifa University will develop models that estimate power system inertia and predict possible frequency deviations. The software will then provide recommendations to reduce risks, helping grid operators respond early to events that might affect supply quality or cause instability.

EWEC is carrying out a long-term plan to change how water and electricity are produced in Abu Dhabi. The strategy seeks nearly emissions-free water production by 2030 through reverse osmosis desalination. It also aims for 60% of Abu Dhabi’s electricity demand to come from renewable and clean energy sources within the same timeframe.

Solar and storage projects form a major part of this transition. EWEC plans utility-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity that is expected to surpass 30 gigawatts (GW) by 2035. This expansion is planned alongside around 8GW of battery energy storage systems. Reverse osmosis plants will further separate, or decouple, water production from power generation using low-carbon methods.

As this cleaner energy mix grows across the UAE, grid management becomes more complex. Large amounts of solar power can change quickly with weather conditions. Batteries also add new ways to balance supply and demand. The joint project seeks to manage these shifts so customers continue to receive reliable and secure electricity at all times.

Ahmed Ali Alshamsi, Chief Executive Officer of EWEC, said, "This collaboration with Khalifa University directly supports our mission, and reflects EWEC’s broader role in shaping the UAE’s energy future through strategic planning, the deployment of world-leading solar and battery energy storage assets, and the transition to near-zero emission water production via reverse osmosis. By integrating advanced analytics, AI-driven forecasting, and national research partnerships into our operations, we are building the capabilities that will underpin a future-ready water and power sector and deliver real progress toward the UAE Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative."

Professor Ebrahim Al Hajri, President, Khalifa University, said, "Khalifa University is pleased to collaborate with EWEC on this impactful project, which exemplifies the role of academia in solving real-world energy challenges. Our collaboration with EWEC is also a strategic investment in the UAE’s energy future and positions Khalifa University at the nexus of innovation and national strategy.By harnessing advanced deep learning and intelligent modelling at scale, we will help shape resilient, data-driven power systems that anticipate demand, optimise supply, and accelerate the transition to low-carbon generation. Equally, we are supporting EWEC’s mission while building national capability — transferring frontier knowledge to the next generation of Emirati engineers and system operators — so the UAE leads not just in deploying solutions, but in designing the systems that define tomorrow’s energy landscape."

The agreement also includes a structured knowledge-transfer programme to build local skills. EWEC and Khalifa University will produce technical documentation, run training sessions, and hold a multi-day workshop on operating the new tools. Emirati specialists will join the project team, with monthly reports tracking skills transfer and national capacity-building progress.

Through these steps, the partnership supports EWEC’s strategy for a smarter and cleaner UAE energy system. Advanced analytics will operate alongside major infrastructure, supporting decarbonisation while keeping the grid stable. The project is designed to strengthen national research capability and prepare the next generation of system operators and energy leaders for a low-carbon future.

With inputs from WAM