Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Eutelsat, the French global satellite operator, to provide technical support for DEWA’s Space-D program and DEWA’s 3U nanosatellite DEWA-SAT1.
This will help develop nanosatellite Internet of Things (IoT) terminals and enhance connectivity between DEWA’s assets and its nanosatellite.
The cooperation aims to explore the potential integration of Eutelsat Earth Low Orbit (ELO) satellites with the Space-D program and expand the fleet of nanosatellites for both parties.
Both entities will design, develop and implement the first use-case at DEWA’s Research and Development (R&D) Centre that combines using IoT sensors and Eutelsat ELO satellites and develop use-cases for advancing the utility sector worldwide.
HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA, said that the program helps to reduce costs, improve its asset utilization and management, and support its network proactively. DEWA was the world’s first utility to use nanosatellites to enhance the maintenance and planning of electricity and water networks.
Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer MD & CEO DEWA
“Our goal after this success, is that DEWA through our commercial partners, can offer Satellite-As-A-Service to the global utility industry leveraging the expertise developed in building the satellite technology, offering grid and water network operators data and niche utility use-cases to improve their operations, planning, and to support their digitalization journey. Through Space-D, DEWA researches the use of space technology to support utilities to improve their operations and planning. This will support sustainable development and a green economy in the UAE and worldwide.”
Launching the U3 nanosatellite has enabled the R&D team to gain the latest knowledge and experience to understand the effectiveness and value of the IoT nanosatellite constellation in supporting utilities such as DEWA to improve the management of their power grid and water transmission and distribution networks. The program also aims to train Emirati professionals to develop a constellation of nanosatellites to serve DEWA business and the global utility market.
Mr. Al Tayer noted that IoT satellite technology is complementary to the terrestrial IoT communication network and will enable the expansion of IoT in the smart grid and water networks. This will improve the efficiency of DEWA’s operations, and support the digitalization of energy, water transmission and distribution networks. It will also integrate IoT data using DEWA’s cloud services.
