Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) has built up its utilization of drone technology as a feature of its Sirb (Arabic for fleet) activity.
The Sirb initiative was launched in 2015 in order to help support Dubai’s infrastructure and add to facilitating the simple and effective services with the use of a fleet of high-end drones. The main objective of the initiative is to help serve humanity with the help of endeavors cutting edge innovations.
There are many aspects and domains where Dewa has updated its use of technology. These domains include:
- Topographic surveys
- Enhanced operational productivity
- Thermal inspection
- Photovoltaic panel maintenance
- Early detection
- Using thermal imaging (to recognize overhead electrical cables)
These improved uses of technology come with many benefits:
- It reduces costs by getting rid of variances
- Ensures accuracy as improved technology would allow for quicker response times (more efficient)
- Allows the firm to make easier informed decisions
The drones have many features that allow it to use state-of-the-art upgradable technologies such as the high-definition cameras with night vision, the lasers and GPS sensors that can quantify pressure, height, magnetic fields and can be used for ultrasound scanning.
The outcomes of the upgradable technology are aligned with the wise leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. His objective for the UAE is to help make it a universal center for evolving drone technologies and be a global hub for drone applications that can be submitted by the civilians which will only benefit the society as the services become more advanced due to innovations.
The country is set out to place great importance to innovation and making sure that the country is utilizing the most recent international technologies which will in turn help Dubai achieve the title of being one of the most innovative cities in the globe. Another reason as to why the country is prioritizing so much effort into innovation is to help seek out for solutions in terms of creating renewable clean energy and water. This will help fulfill Dubai’s vision to become a ‘sustainable innovative world-class utility’
Dewa uses specific drones in its Sirb fleet that range from fixed-wing to multi-rotor drones. These drones are mostly fit for identifying oil spills and red tide that due to its range from. The drones have a range of a 20 km radius that allow it to gather samples from anywhere from within this radius.
The Sirb fleet enhances Dewa’s operational effectiveness by speeding up operations, expanding security amid standard system testing and support, to precisely recognizing defects or any other form of issues. In order to help develop the project continuously, monitoring generation and carrying out in-field surveys can be extremely helpful.
Dewa participated in the second UAE Drones for Good Award where it showcased four of its drones, one of which was the Hydro Drone. The drone was shown in a live demonstration and is manly used to gather samples from the different depths and locations of the water around the purification plants. The drones have a capacity of 25 minutes where it is able to stay in the air and has the ability to land on water.
