Efficiency solutions for the GCC’s power assets

UAE

António Azevedo Campos, co-founder and CEO of Hub2Energy, talks to The Energy Year about the potential efficiency and environmental gains to be had from incorporating Enline technology to the GCC’s electricity transmission and distribution infrastructure. Hub2Energy is a Kuwait-based energy consulting company.

What steps would you recommend taking to strengthen the GCC’s power sector?
The GCC needs a modern connected grid to meet future demand and ensure that clean energy can flow across the region. To meet rising energy demands and achieve zero emissions, we need to transform the GCC’s grid.
The transmission challenge requires cross-sector collaboration and bold investments. GCC countries are facing challenges in meeting their growing electricity demand and reducing the associated hydrocarbon emissions. Recently, a pressing need has emerged to shift towards smart power grids, as they can reduce the stress on the grid, defer the investments for upgrades, improve the efficiency of the power system and reduce emissions.
This transformation needs not just the building of new infrastructure but also the optimisation of existing networks through innovation. The focus is on integrating renewable resources efficiently, advancing digital grid technologies and implementing energy storage and demand response strategies. Success in these areas hinges on cross-sector collaboration and significant policy investments that aim to enhance grid reliability, reduce emissions and support sustainable growth across the region.

How can technology help optimise the power sector’s performance and what solutions can Hub2Energy contribute?
Advances in technology for high-voltage transmission and distribution networks offer hope for the future, providing a means of integrating clean energy resources into the grid more efficiently and reliably than ever before. Hub2Energy has introduced Enline, an avant-garde sensorless digital twin technology for power transmission and distribution assets. Supported by advanced AI algorithms, this technology seeks to redefine the monitoring and efficiency capabilities of electrical lines.
It offers predictive maintenance capabilities through state-of-the-art digital twins and AI algorithms capable of pre-emptively identifying an extensive array of failures and issues, thereby reducing downtime and maintenance costs. It also increases efficiency by curtailing energy losses by up to 30%, and it can elevate the operational efficiency of transmission lines through real-time monitoring and data-driven insights.
This revolutionary remote implementation process transcends geographical constraints and weather, marking a departure from traditional monitoring methods with high implementation costs.

What is the way forward for the implementation of this technology?
At Hub2Energy, we are proposing comprehensive pilot projects to each GCC country, and we intend to meticulously assess the technology’s impact and effectiveness. Aligned with each country’s vision for a sustainable energy future, these initiatives not only stand as a milestone in the energy sector but also set the stage for broader integration of smart energy solutions across the GCC, serving as a clear benchmark for innovation in the region.
Since there is no transition without transmission, storage and distribution, we eagerly anticipate engaging in profound discussions regarding these promising opportunities and stand ready to address any queries or concerns. This initiative holds the potential to shape the future of the GCC’s energy landscape, aligning with visionary sustainability goals.

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