Innovation showcase

As the utilities sector faces mounting pressure to enhance efficiency, reliability, and sustainability, the market for advanced sensing technologies is expanding at a rapid pace. These innovations are transforming how utilities monitor infrastructure, manage resources, and respond to challenges in real time. Bridging the gap between research and operational deployment, sensing technologies are playing a critical role in enabling smarter grids, optimizing performance, and improving customer outcomes. This session will delve into how cutting-edge research is being translated into real-world impact, helping utilities stay ahead in an increasingly complex and dynamic environment.

Innovation showcase

Agri-PV offers a transformative potential by enabling dual land use for agriculture and renewable energy generation. However, its adoption introduces unique Health, Safety, and Environmental (HSE) challenges, particularly when independent power producers (IPPs) operate PV systems on land managed by farmers—two distinct stakeholders with differing priorities and responsibilities. In this presentation will give you an in-depth analysis of these HSE complexities and their implications for Agri-PV deployment.

Case study

As electricity grids grapple with the growing integration of wind and solar power, Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) are emerging as a critical solution. This session explores how BESS addresses grid challenges, ranging from voltage and frequency instability to capacity constraints like curtailment and congestion. Beyond their proven role in ancillary services such as frequency regulation, modern BESS technologies offer a flexible, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional infrastructure. Join us to examine the evolving business cases for storage as a transmission asset and its transformative impact on grid resilience. 

Innovation showcase

In an era where climate variability and urban expansion challenge the stability of utility networks, digital twin technology emerges as a transformative solution. Creating virtual replicas of physical infrastructure enables real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance, and scenario simulation. By integrating data from IoT sensors and advanced analytics, these digital models allow utilities to anticipate issues before they escalate, optimize resource allocation, and enhance system reliability. This approach not only mitigates risks associated with equipment failures and environmental stresses but also supports strategic planning for future infrastructure developments. Attendees will gain insights into the practical applications of digital twins in enhancing the resilience and efficiency of water and power networks, ensuring sustainable service delivery in the face of evolving challenges.

Panel discussion

As global water demand rises and climate change exacerbates scarcity, desalination has become a critical solution for securing freshwater supplies. However, traditional desalination is energy-intensive and often reliant on fossil fuels, raising environmental and economic concerns. With technological advancements and the growing availability of clean energy, the integration of renewables into desalination systems is gaining momentum. This session will bring together leaders in water, energy, and infrastructure to explore how solar, wind, and other renewable sources are being harnessed to power desalination sustainably. From large-scale utility projects to decentralised innovations, experts will explore the policy, financial, and technological frameworks needed to scale renewable-powered desalination and ensure long-term water security. 

Panel discussion

As the UAE sharpens its focus on climate action, the market is witnessing a growing wave of climate tech pilots. However, moving from pilot to large-scale deployment especially within the utilities sector remains a key challenge. This panel will explore how the UAE can rapidly bridge that deployment gap and unlock the full potential of climate technologies.

Drawing on insights from the PwC/ADSW/GCFC paper and recent regional initiatives, the discussion will focus on practical enablers including finance, policy, infrastructure, and cross-sector collaboration. The session will highlight case studies, public-private partnerships, and the role of innovation hubs and regulation in accelerating scalable climate technologies.

Innovation showcase

As electrical networks grow more complex and the demand for reliable, safe operations rises, understanding and implementing robust electrical safety practices has never been more crucial. This session provides a foundational introduction to electrical safety, guided by internationally recognized IEC Golden Rules. It will explore the critical risks involved in electrical environments and how to mitigate them effectively. Attendees will gain insights into advanced safety offerings including Arc Flash Studies and essential product solutions such as PPE, collective protection equipment (CPE), earthing systems, short-circuit systems, and voltage detectors. Whether you're safeguarding personnel or infrastructure, this session equips you with the knowledge and tools to elevate safety standards across your operations.

Panel discussion

As urban populations grow and cities transition into intelligent ecosystems, the demand for integrated, efficient, and low-carbon infrastructure is surging. District energy systems are emerging as the foundation of smart urban design, optimising cooling demand, integrating with renewable energy, reducing peak loads, and unlocking long-term cost and emissions savings. But technology alone isn’t enough. Policy frameworks, regulatory incentives, and coordinated urban planning are crucial to scale adoption and ensure alignment with national sustainability targets. This session brings together utility leaders, regulators, and innovators to explore how district energy system is powering the next generation of smart cities, where infrastructure is smarter, energy is cleaner, and growth is built to last. 

Innovation showcase

The session will explore cloud-based OT device management to improve substation visibility. It addresses challenges like integrating legacy devices, enhancing data collection, and enabling remote control through edge computing. The presented solution virtualizes hardware, supports remote deployment of applications, and uses AI/ML at the edge for OT data analysis. Key benefits include faster rollout of new use cases, reduced maintenance costs and time, fewer field interventions, and increased IT/OT system resilience and overall, it promotes a secure, efficient, and unified infrastructure for modern energy systems.