Tue, 25 July, 2023
An international collaboration by Singapore based TWI Global Technology Centre (GTC) and Cutech Green Ventures, and the Net Zero Industry Innovation Centre, a partnership between Teesside University and TWI in the UK, is set to deliver an exciting new project that will help accelerate smart city development in the Middle East.
The twelve-month pilot, supported by Enterprise Singapore and the Abu Dhabi Investment Office, will involve the research, development and testing of a high-tech energy management system aimed at improving the energy efficiency of buildings in the city of Al Ruwais in Abu Dhabi. It is also one of six successful projects selected for inclusion in the ‘Abu Dhabi – Singapore Smart Cities Open Innovation Challenge’ out of a total of 89 submissions. The Challenge is sponsored by the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), with the objective to develop and pilot innovative solutions that address smart city challenges in the Emirate while fostering collaboration between Abu Dhabi and Singapore.
The solution proposed by the project team will create and implement a prototype of a supervisory, cloud-based, aggregated energy management and visualisation system (EMS) that uses Internet of Things (IoT) technology to integrate and optimise the management of photovoltaics, wind turbines, battery storage, heating ventilation, air conditioning systems, and combined cooling, heating and power systems.
This will then be deployed, with the incorporation of digital twin concepts and energy data analytics, in a large-scale demonstration on multiple residential, office and leisure spaces in Al Ruwais. The exercise seeks to improve energy efficiency, leverage cost reductions and enable better integration of local renewable resources, and should the pilot prove successful, it has the potential for city-wide implementation across Abu Dhabi.
Speaking on behalf of partner Teesside University, Professor Michael Short, Centre for Sustainable Engineering, which focuses on the design, development and enhancement of engineering systems, processes, and products that are efficient and sustainable without compromising the natural environment, said “We are delighted to be working alongside our international partners in this ground-breaking project. As the world looks to a future beyond fossil fuels, the successful integration and management of different energy systems is critical to an effective and efficient city-system.” Going on to say “At Teesside University we are committed to finding new and disruptive technologies to green and sustainable growth and increase productivity and prosperity, and this ambitious and novel project has the potential to deliver real impact towards making the high-tech, clean cities of the future a reality.”
Tat-Hean Gan, TWI’s Director of Membership and Innovation, explains “TWI has longstanding, fruitful relationships with both Teesside University and ADNOC, based on shared research and development (R&D) activities that deliver technological and industrial innovation, therefore, we are excited for this new project and the great potential it has to help propel smart cities in the Middle East.” Adding “Since its inception in early 2021, TWI GTC has gone from strength-to-strength, forming a number of new R&D alliances to bring innovation to local regions, one of which is with Cutech, therefore, I am confident that our project team will deliver a technologically advanced pilot solution for the future of Al Ruwais.”