Smart Grids could save GCC Billions in infrastructure investment by 2020, says Middle East Electricity report

Region’s Smart Grid Market to Reach US$ 1.68 Billion in Value by 2026

Dubai, UAE – 14 February, 2019: The GCC could save up to US$ 10 billion in infrastructural investment in the coming year through the use of smart grids, according to the MENA Power Industry Outlook.
 
The report, prepared by Ventures Onsite for Middle East Electricity, the world’s largest annual power industry trade platform, says the development of smart grids is “one of the most important steps towards improving electricity diversification and conservation in the GCC.”

The report also forecasts the value of the GCC smart grid market will grow to US$ 1.68 billion by 2026 as regional governments step up their deployment of smart grid infrastructure amid heightening demand for energy storage systems.

The major shift towards smart grids and their reliance on energy storage systems will come under sharp focus at Middle East Electricity 2019, which runs at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) from March 5-7.

“Widely recognised as the future of the energy sector, smart grids will be one of the most crucial issues under examination at Middle East Electricity 2019 - both on the exhibition floor and in tailored conference sessions,” said Claudia Konieczna, Exhibition Director – Informa Industrial Group. “Their adoption is an integral part of the region’s smart city ambitions; smart grids are essential in managing robust energy demand and mitigating the impact of climate change and global warming. Smart grids enable nations to meet their obligations under the Paris Accord.

“This critical dynamic is why energy storage and management is a dedicated pillar at Middle East Electricity 2019. With growth in the GCC renewable energy market expected to also drive smart grid technology adoption, the energy storage and management segment will run in close collaboration with our dedicated Solar segment – the pair are interlinked.

“Whilst the adoption of renewables continues to rise, the ongoing challenge faced by government, utilities and even commercial projects is locking in the energy generated to provide reliable, on-demand power. A whole range of international manufacturers have signed up for the show to demonstrate the latest innovative and cost-effective technologies informing this vital segment.”

Such is the overwhelming global interest in energy storage and management, Middle East Electricity 2019 will launch a dedicated technical seminar addressing solar and energy storage and management solutions – the latest addition to the show’s powerful Knowledge Programme. Organised by Intersolar, the free-to-attend seminar, included for the first time in the event’s programme, will focus heavily on grid-tied PV system design, battery maintenance and regeneration and PV systems operations and management.

Intersolar is also organising a dedicated electrical energy storage conference, examining renewable energy storage solutions, from residential and commercial applications, to large-scale storage systems for stabilising grids. Running on March 6, the free-to-attend, CPD-accredited conference will feature experts from the Middle East, Europe and North Africa assessing the energy storage landscape, providing market overviews, evaluating value streams and identifying successful strategies.

Pressing industry issues to be addressed include: how energy storage can help ensure high- quality power supply for unstable networks and remote areas; the impact of PV and storage on integrated energy solutions, while Germany’s NGK Europe will present a case study on the 650MWh of NAS batteries already installed in the Emirates.

Speakers include: Hisham Wyne, Chief Content Creator, HWM, UAE; Markus Hoehner, CEO, International Battery & Energy Storage Alliance, Germany; Marc Guirguirian, Solar Sales Manager, Socomec, France; Florian Mayr, Partner, Apricum GmbH, Germany; Vikas Bansal, Head of Business Development, Sterling & Wilson Solar Private Limited, UAE; Abderrahim Jamrani, Engineering Director, MASEN, Morocco; Dr. Mustapha Taoumi, Key Technology Expert in the EU GCC Clean Energy Technology Network; Jeremy Crane, CEO and Co-Founder, Yellow Door Energy, UAE and Mohammed Al-Busaidi, Renewable Energy Lead, Petroleum Development Oman.

“Our speakers are leading international and regional experts at the sharp end of energy storage and management progression. Their collective experience will be invaluable to all others operating in the sector whether adopters, solution providers or technical planners,” added Konieczna.

Energy storage and management is one of five focused sectors of Middle East Electricity with the remaining four covering power generation; lighting, transmission and distribution and solar. More than 60,000 industry professionals are expected to visit the 2019 edition of Middle East Electricity, which is now in its 44th year. Some 1,600 leading manufacturers and suppliers will pack the event, which is held under the patronage of HH Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, and is hosted by the UAE Ministry of Energy.