DEWA Innovation Center Emerges as Global Center for Clean Energy Innovation and Education

The Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) Innovation Center at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park is a global incubator for innovation in various fields of clean and renewable energy.

The Center offers visitors a pioneering experience to learn about the latest innovations in clean and renewable energy. It also provides a unique educational environment by organizing and hosting events throughout the year, creating strategic partnerships with leading local and international organizations and universities, as well as enhancing sustainability awareness.

The Innovation Center includes a conference room for events, meetings and training courses within its four-story building, which has an area of ​​4,355 square meters and is approximately 88 meters high. Visitors can see innovative drone and hologram shows, and try various interactive experiences, including autonomous bus travel. Using Metaverse technology, the Center offers a unique experience that allows visitors to take a virtual tour of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, the world’s largest single-site solar park based on the Independent Power Producer model. (IPP).

“DEWA aims to support and enhance innovation in various fields, especially in clean and renewable energy. This is in line with the wise leadership’s vision to enhance Dubai’s readiness for the future, while further enhancing its ability to address challenges and cope with changes in various spheres and consolidate Dubai’s position as a global hub. to design and shape the future. DEWA’s Innovation Center at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park has cemented its position as a key global platform for renewable and clean energy innovations. “This is achieved through strategic partnerships with leading local and global universities, institutions and startups, in addition to their role in honing national competencies and improving business competitiveness.”

saying HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD and CEO of DEWA.

Waleed Bin Salman, Executive Vice President of Excellence and Business Development at DEWA, He said the Innovation Center reflects DEWAefforts to support innovation. He stated that the Center has become an important landmark in Dubai and a key destination for those who want to learn about the latest innovations in clean and renewable energy technologies. In 2023, it received visits from 57 countries and hosted 4 vocational training courses, of which more than 90 participants graduated with accredited certificates.

Activities and events throughout the year.

Throughout the year, DEWA’s Innovation Center organizes various programs, events and activities that provide a unique educational environment in the fields of innovation, in addition to exchanging knowledge and experiences with specialists and experts from different countries around the world. Activities organized or sponsored by the Innovation Center in 2023 included:

In 2023, DEWAThe Innovation Center organized the first edition of the Middle East and North Africa Solar Conference (MENA SC), the first scientific and technical conference of its kind in the region, specializing in solar energy systems. The conference focused on different areas of photovoltaics with a rich program on photovoltaic materials and devices, future technologies, photovoltaic reliability and forecasts for performance evaluation. Areas that extend to system operation, concentrated solar power and grid integration, all of which are key to accelerating the transition to clean energy.

• Improve future skills of young people

In 2023, the Innovation Center organized a series of events in collaboration with public and private organizations to develop young people’s skills and knowledge about future technologies and clean and renewable energy. The Center held an awareness session titled ‘Sustainable Energy for Future Generations’ in collaboration with the Ministry of Community Developmentas part of the Ministry’s program ‘Meeting between generations’ initiative. Several older adults and young people participated in the session to expand their knowledge about ways to improve sustainability in environmental, social and economic aspects. The session highlighted the leading experience of the United Arab Emirates and Dubai in the transition to clean and renewable energy sources.

The Center also organized panel discussions in collaboration with DEWA Youth Council and the Federal Youth Authority on the development of future skills of young people, especially in digital transformation, sustainability, green economy, entrepreneurship and industries of the future. Experts from the Dubai Future Foundation, the World Green Economy Organization and Moro Hub, a subsidiary of Digital DEWA, ​​participated.

• CleanTech Youth Program

The program comprised a wide range of workshops, specialized sessions and field visits with the participation of academics, specialists and experts from various universities, startups and local and global organizations. In three batches, the program graduated 75 young leaders from universities in the UAE, who presented innovative projects in clean energy and sustainability.

• CleanTech Connection Program

The program provides an opportunity for clean energy innovators, achievers and professors to present their successes in clean energy technologies, exchange knowledge and raise the community’s awareness of the latest developments and innovations in this field. From its launch until the end of 2023, the program held 15 seminars and panel discussions attended by more than 1,500 participants.

• Welcome to COP28 participants

The Innovation Center hosted 217 participants at the 28th United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28), which took place in the United Arab Emirates at Expo City Dubai from November 30 to December 12.

• Receive students from school.

DEWAThe UAE Innovation Center welcomes thousands of students annually from public and private schools in the United Arab Emirates. In the summer of 2023, the Center received numerous students in summer programs and camps organized by various institutions and entities for the children of their employees. These include Dubai Municipality‘s Summer Environmental Education Program; and the Watani Al Emarat Foundation Sustainability Pioneers Camp.

• Professional Certification Program

The Innovation Center offers numerous scientific and professional training programs and courses for individuals in photovoltaic solar energy. The Professional Certification Program is part of the Center’s efforts to offer comprehensive programs that keep pace with emerging trends and accelerating challenges, bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical applications, and enhancing the capabilities of the new generation of professionals in clean energy technologies to effectively create positive change. In 2023, the Center organized 4 vocational training courses, from which more than 90 participants graduated with accredited certificates.

Competitions

The Center also organizes various competitions to encourage students and young people to innovate, especially in the field of renewable and clean energy. These include:

Organized by the Innovation Center, the Inspiring Young People Contest aims to raise awareness among students from grades 4 to 12 about solar energy, its technologies and its role in achieving a more sustainable future, as well as motivating them to use solar energy in their daily lives, contributing to positive change. To enter the contest, students must record a 90-second video on how to use solar energy to promote a responsible and sustainable lifestyle. The contests had the participation of more than 100 students in 3 editions and honored 15 winners.

The Innovation Center also organized the Cleantech Hackathon with the participation of 48 innovators, university students and specialists in sustainable innovations in energy, urban environment, digital transformation and sustainable lifestyles.

DEWAThe Innovation Center employs several prominent young Emiratis. It is the first and largest government center to receive the “Made by Youth” seal from the Federal Youth Authority. With an Emiratization rate of 85%, the Center includes Emirati competencies holding doctorates and master’s degrees, as well as high degrees in science and engineering. Several employees have won prestigious local and international awards, including the Dubai Medal for Specialized Employees and the Dubai Medal for Young Employees in the Dubai Government Excellence Awards.

• Unique experience for visitors.

The Innovation Center offers visitors a unique experience to explore the latest innovations in clean energy technologies. The exhibition area on the first floor focuses on DEWA’s journey, key historical inventions and innovations in electricity, and the latest developments in renewable and sustainable energy.

The area includes more than 30 interactive exhibits designed to introduce visitors to advances in renewable energy. The site also houses the DEWA Museum, water desalination plants and a visual space that explains the properties of light and solar radiation.

The center also features an exhibition on the development of solar energy technologies, the key components of photovoltaic solar cells and related technologies, including concentrated solar power (CSP) and solar power tower. It also shows DEWAThe journey of renewable energy, Smart DEWA, ​​solar cell applications in spacecraft and satellites, and DEWA’s sustainable building development.

The Innovation Center receives visitors from Saturday to Wednesday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm and on Thursdays from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. Hologram shows are organized every Sunday and Wednesday at 10:30 and 2:30 p.m. The Center offers discounts on tickets for children and students and free admission for determined people. Tickets are available at website or the Center’s smart application (MBRSIC).

News source: Dubai Press Office