Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA)’s Research and Development (R&D) Centre has introduced a digital-first approach for evaluating critical assets like power transformers and overhead lines (OHL). This method does not require on-site sensors or hardware; only asset data and their locations are needed.
The approach follows the ISO 9223:2012 standard for assessing atmospheric corrosivity and estimating conductor corrosion rates for OHL and the IEC 60067-7 standard for power transformers, using ambient temperature as a predictor.
To improve user experience, R&D has developed a user-friendly interface that provides actionable insights. These insights help stakeholders make informed decisions, leading to cost savings and enhanced operational efficiency. The method also promotes collaboration across business units via a digital platform.
Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA, stated, “We adopt advanced digital strategies to enhance the efficiency and reliability of our networks. Employing Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies, DEWA continues to deliver world-class service while advancing our digital transformation to meet growing demand in Dubai and maintain our leadership in global utilities. We value the innovative research by DEWA’s R&D Centre, which contributes significantly to the scientific community.”
Waleed Bin Salman, Executive Vice President of Business Development and Excellence at DEWA, highlighted that the R&D Centre equips its team with cutting-edge technologies and facilities to foster solution development. The Centre’s weather modelling capabilities have generated historical data for the past five years, assessing the impact of weather on asset metrics. This data helps maintenance teams optimise schedules and plan operations or replacements, while also estimating the assets’ Remaining Useful Life to maximise their utility.
