Solar park lab automatically adjusts temperature, lighting
R&D CENTRE HAS EMIRATI PROFESSIONALS DEVELOPING INNOVATIVE PROJECTS
Alab in Dubai can independently calculate and set the optimal room temperature and lighting. The capabilities of the Internet of Things (IoT) lab at the Research and Development Centre of Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park were demonstrated during a visit by Saeed Mohammad Al Tayer, managing director and CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa), who also reviewed the centre’s other innovations.
The lab is the first use of IoT in a fully automated and energy optimised building in the UAE, Dewa said. The platform includes sensors and people counting systems, to adjust the temperature and lighting based on the number of people inside the building as well as the external weather conditions.
Water leakages
Al Tayer also reviewed a data-driven decision support system and an underground pipeline inspection (UPI) test rig for the identification of water transmission leakages.
Al Tayer was briefed about LoRA IoT for the 3U nanosatellite (Dewa-SAT 1) launched by Dewa as part of its Space-D programme. The R&D Centre developed the satellite IoT terminals to connect Dewa’s assets to the satellite directly and be suitable for grid applications, where it links IoT sensors to DEWA’s nanosatellites.
Al Tayer was welcomed by
Waleed Bin Salman, executive vice-president of business development and excellence at Dewa; Dr Ali Rashid Al Alili, vice-president — research and development and Dr Hesham Ismail, senior manager of technology advancement.
Al Tayer commended the efforts of the R&D Centre, which includes Emirati professionals, in developing advanced solutions. He said: “Through the R&D Centre, Dewa aims to develop disruptive technologies for the Fourth Industrial Revolution to provide world-class services that enhance the quality of life in Dubai.”
Al Tayer reviewed a number
of innovative research projects at the R&D Centre. These include the Carbon Capture Storage and Utilisation (CCSU), Wireless Power Transfer (WPT), and the Flow Battery, for which Dewa has registered a patent.
The 4IR Robotics team explained the latest updates on the on the granted patent on System and Method for Measuring Atmospheric Attenuation to determine the best locations for Concentrated Solar Power towers.
Al Tayer also checked the solar-powered water pumping and desalination station at the Park to desalinate water using reverse osmosis, with a production capacity of 50 cubic metres a day.
Through the R&D Centre, Dewa aims to develop disruptive technologies for the Fourth Industrial Revolution to provide world-class services that enhance the quality of life in Dubai.”
Saeed Mohammad Al Tayer | Dewa managing director, CEO