By the end of 2022, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) plans to launch a 6U nanosatellite with customised high-resolution image sensing technology specifically designed for DEWA to communicate with its IoT terminals.
“They are specifically designed for use in electricity and water networks, and will be deployed to detect thermal fingerprints in high voltage transmission lines, substations, buildings and solar power stations,” said Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, managing director and CEO of DEWA.
Al Tayer revealed this last Tuesday a month after the Dubai utility firm launched its first low-orbit satellite called DEWA-SAT 1 to complement the company’s terrestrial IoT communication network
DEWA-SAT 1 is part of the company’s Space-D programme to improve operations, maintenance, and planning of electricity and water networks by using nanosatellites to support industry 4.0 applications around IoT, AI, blockchain and remote-sensing technologies.
In collaboration with NanoAvionics, DEWA launched the 3U nanosatellite on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex in Florida, USA. The satellite now maintains a stable orbit at 525 kilometres, travelling some 7.5 kilometres per second and takes about 90 minutes to go around the Earth.
Smart water leak detection device brings AED2.74-M cost savings
Meanwhile, DEWA has been reaping the benefits of its smart initiatives.
For one, its smart ball leak detection device, which was inserted into the company’s water network, has saved the company 68.45 million gallons and AED 2.74 million since its implementation in April 2021.
As part of its ongoing efforts to reduce water losses, DEWA has recently deployed a smart ball leak detection to discover invisible water leakages in water transmission pipelines that are otherwise hard to see or reach.
“We adopt latest technologies in generating, transmitting, and distributing electricity and water, applying the best global practices in all its projects to raise production and operational efficiency,” said Al Tayer. "It achieved concrete savings in developing the water network to promote its effectiveness and reliability, raise the water flow to meet the comprehensive development needs and the growing demand.”
The smart ball system consists of a small diameter sphere that travels freely, driven by the water flow. Sounds generated by a leak, gas pocket or anomalies have unique characteristics. The system captures the sounds of these from inside the pipeline with the software then able to detect the location of the leak
"In Dubai we have a comprehensive vision to ensure the sustainability of resources as part of the integrated strategy of managing water resources, with particular focus on enhancing water resources, conserving consumption and using the latest technologies as well as innovative solutions,” said Al Tayer.
