Dubai Electricity and Water Authority is the first utility in the world to launch nano-satellites
In a new achievement that confirms Dubai's leadership in developing and using the latest global technologies, the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority launched the "Dewa-Sat 1" nano-satellite, in cooperation with the "Nano Avionics" company, to become the first service organization in the world to use nano-satellites. To improve the operations, maintenance and planning of electricity and water networks.
DEWA-Sat-1 was launched on board a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from the Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex (SLC-40) in Florida, USA, in the presence of Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Managing Director and CEO of the Electricity and Water Authority Dubai, a number of officials from the authority and the company «Nano Avionics».
Saeed Al Tayer said: “I extend my deepest thanks and gratitude to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, for his unlimited support to the Authority and its innovative initiatives and projects, including the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority’s (SpaceD) programme. ) which was launched by His Highness in January 2021, and supports the National Space Strategy 2030, which contributes to achieving the vision of the United Arab Emirates in the field of space industry with its various sciences, technologies, applications and services. Today, the authority, in cooperation with the Nano Avionics Company, succeeded in launching the first 3U nano-satellite within the “SpaceD” program.The "SpaceD" program aims to improve the operations, maintenance and planning of the authority's networks by relying on nano-satellites, Internet of things and remote sensing technologies, in addition to qualifying Emirati cadres specialized in the use of space technologies in electricity and water networks, and confirming Dubai's leadership in benefiting from the technologies of the industrial revolution. The fourth, including the Internet of Things, artificial intelligence and blockchain, in exchanging information through space communications and Earth observation technologies.”
His Excellency Al Tayer confirmed that the nano-satellite was designed and developed at the Research and Development Center of the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority in the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Energy Complex, noting that the authority will launch another 6U nano-satellite this year in order to enhance its flexibility and ability to Monitoring, managing and maintaining electricity and water networks to ensure the provision of electricity and water services in accordance with the highest standards of availability, reliability and efficiency, reducing costs and improving the investment of the authority’s assets, in addition to transferring knowledge and expertise and training the authority’s national cadres.
His Excellency explained that DEWA - Sat 1 uses the "LoRa IoT" communication technology, which is a type of new wireless protocol designed for long-range and low-energy communications, to expand the coverage of the current terrestrial communications network, noting that the use of satellite network connectivity, the Internet of things and the application of artificial intelligence will contribute In improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the Authority’s operations and supporting the digitization of the energy network and water transmission and distribution networks, in addition to integrating Internet of Things data;
Using the Authority's cloud computing network.
Engineer Waleed bin Salman, Executive Vice President of Business Development and Excellence Sector at DEWA, indicated that DEWA’s “SpaceD” program includes launching nano-satellites that are being developed by Emirati hands at the DEWA’s Research and Development Center in the Mohammed bin complex. Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Energy.
Bin Salman added that the system includes a ground-based satellite station in the complex and ground transmitting stations that use Internet technologies and artificial intelligence through sensors distributed at different locations of the network, which increases the efficiency and effectiveness of planning, operation and preventive maintenance work for production, transmission, distribution, smart networks and electric vehicle charging stations.
High-resolution, multi-spectrum thermal imagers such as those used on spacecraft, designed specifically for power and water network applications, will be used to detect thermal signatures in high-voltage transmission lines, substations, buildings and solar power plants.
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