Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) adopts smart ball leak detection to detect invisible water leakages in water transmission pipelines that are hard to detect or reach. This is part of DEWA’s ongoing efforts to reduce water losses. The smart ball system consists of a small diameter sphere that is inserted into the water network where it 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. The technology has saved 68.45 million gallons and AED 2.74 million since its implementation in April 2021.
HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA, said that DEWA adopts the latest technologies in the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity and water networks. It applies the best global practices in all its projects to raise the production and operational efficiency. DEWA achieved concrete savings in developing the water network to promote its effectiveness and reliability as well as raise the water flow to meet the comprehensive development needs as well as the growing demand.
The technology has saved 68.45 million gallons and AED 2.74 million since its implementation in April 2021
It provides its services for more than a million customers in Dubai according to the highest standards of availability, reliability, and efficiency. DEWA has become one of the most innovative utilities worldwide, surpassing European and American countries by reducing electricity network losses to 3.3% compared to 6-7% in Europe and the US in 2020. DEWA also reduced water network losses to 5.1% compared to 15% in North America. DEWA’s total installed capacity is 13,417 MW of electricity and 490 MIGD of water.
“In Dubai we have a comprehensive vision to ensure the sustainability of resources as part of the integrated strategy of managing water resources in Dubai which focuses on enhancing water resources, conserving consumption and using the latest technologies as well as innovative solutions. This includes operational technology. In 2014, DEWA commissioned the SCADA system at its sustainable building in Al Quoz. It enables DEWA to monitor the water transmission network in Dubai remotely, collect data round the clock in addition to water transmission pipelines, pumping stations and storage that extend over 2,300 kilometres with over 8,500 smart devices in the field,” said Al Tayer.
