Gulf Today, Jul 30, 2022 | Muharram 01, 1444
Dewa enhances its smart grid through its Virtual Power Plant
Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) has enhanced integration between
different energy resources in its smart grid through its Virtual Power Plant (VPP),
the first of its kind in the region.
The first phase has aggregated the Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) operated
by Dewa’s R&D Centre, and managed them as a single mixed portfolio of generation
and load connected to the grid.
The Virtual Power Plant is an advanced technology based on aggregation,
orchestration, Artificial Intelligence (AI) based forecasting, and optimisation
to integrate various types of DERs to support Dewa’s smart grid.
The VPP is a digital platform that establishes connectivity to many distributed,
small and medium scale DER units such as solar photovoltaic, battery storage,
electric vehicle charging stations, and other flexible loads.
The aim is to enable the participation of these DERs to support the network
operation and maximise their value to the grid operator and end customer by
providing grid services such as peak shaving, frequency regulation or energy
balancing.
The successful completion of the first phase of the VPP project resulted from a
fruitful research collaboration between Dewa’s R&D Centre at the Mohammed Bin
Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park and Generac Grid Services (GSS).
The project’s next phase is to build a more comprehensive techno-economic
feasibility study for the wide deployment of the VPP on Dewa’s grid, define the
most desirable use cases for Dewa’s distribution and transmission networks, and
implement them on a larger scale.
Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD and CEO of Dewa, said that the VPP increases
renewable energy integration capabilities. This supports Dewa’s efforts to
achieve the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 and the Dubai Net Zero Emissions
Strategy 2050 to provide 100 per cent of the energy production capacity from
clean energy sources by 2050.
Al Tayer added, “We use research and development to explore and shape the future
of the energy sector and make Dubai a smart and sustainable city. In accordance
with Dewa’s vision to become a globally leading sustainable innovative
corporation, we strive to shape the future of energy locally, regionally, and
globally by keeping pace with the Fourth Industrial Revolution and adopting
innovative disruptive technologies. Our strategies and plans align with federal
and local strategies to support economic growth and develop innovative and
sustainable clean energy solutions.
“We have strategic partnerships with global companies and organisations in
integrating renewable energy and distributed generation in the electricity grid,
the Internet of Things (IoT), using AI in energy production units, energy
efficiency, cybersecurity, robotics, and smart buildings.
These partnerships aim to build national capacities in the energy sector. The
total investment in DEWA’s Smart Grid programme is Dhs7 billion. It is a major
pillar in the success of smart cities. It also ensures continuity and
availability of services around the clock.”
“Through its VPP, DEWA has integrated the following DERs: Electric Vehicles with
a total consumption of 132 kW; Battery Energy Storage Sodium Sulfur (NaS) and
Lithium Iron Li+ of a total capacity of 2.4 MW, 8 MWh; Chiller system at the R&D
Centre representing flexible loads of total power consumption of 390 kW; Outdoor
Testing Facility at R&D Centre with 12 kW PV Inverter; Residential PV inverters
of 9kW; a Smart Grid Station with PV Solar inverter of 200kW; Battery Energy
Storage of 120kW; and EV charging stations with 44kW,” said Waleed Bin Salman,
Executive Vice President of Business Development and Excellence at Dewa.
The total flexibility provided by the VPP in this pilot project is approximately
3.3 MW. Dewa’s next step is to identify and aggregate similar sites to provide
additional flexibility to operate Dewa’s grid more efficiently and reliably.
Meanwhile Dubai Electricity and Water Authority’s (Dewa) customers have praised
the smart tools and programmes it provides as part of the Smart Living
initiative to help them manage their electricity and water consumption more
efficiently and promote a sustainable lifestyle.
One of the tools recently launched by Dewa within the Smart Living initiative is
the Consumption Assessment Tool, which helps residential customers assess their
electricity and water consumption, empowering them to make smart decisions by
using tips customised for each customer.
Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD and CEO of Dewa, said that smart tools and
programmes provide a proactive mechanism in interacting with customers. It helps
them make smart decisions by monitoring their consumption through the smart
living dashboard and receiving daily, monthly, and annual consumption reports.
WAM