< Previous10 Utilities Middle East / September 2020 www.utilities-me.com NEWS ANALYSIS not only the electrical distribution system but load management. An advanced energy optimization solution enables sustainability through active management of site equipment (which helps reduce CO2 emis- sions) and decentralizing the generation of energy. Intelligent energy optimization can help custom- ers use energy in concert with a dynamic power grid and distributed energy resources while enhancing a shift from fossil fuels to greener energy sources. It can therefore support the creation of smart grids (and eventually “smart cities”) within com- mercial and industrial sites and decentralize the responsibility of generating energy and contribut- ing to the market. Several studies predict that energy optimization solutions can lead to as much as 25% energy and cost savings - by shifting or shedding loads, for example - dramatically shrinking an organization’s invest- ment payback period. In our hypothetical example, adopting an intelligent energy optimization solu- tion could lead to a lower energy bill - approximately EUR 200.000/ year - as well as potential revenues whenever energy surplus is shared with the grid. FACILITY MANAGEMENT BEYOND ELEC- TRICITY As a complex system, a commercial or industrial site will have sources of energy other than electricity, such as fuels, steam, heat, compressed air and other media6, as well as other utilities (water, gas). These sources should also serve the purpose of effi ciency. Key performance indicators (KPIs) for these sources are often included in energy audits (inspection sur- veys that seek to prioritize the most eff ective oppor- tunities for energy and other utilities savings). In a multi-energy/utility building, effi ciency can be achieved by coordinating the diff erent sources, as well as by utilizing storage technologies such as batteries, TES and supercapacitors, thus poten- tially creating independent micro-grids. There- fore, facility optimization as a whole provides a lead- ing approach for the eff ective peak-shaving of elec- tricity or heat demand, effi cient use of renewable energy, low-cost carbon capture and distributed energy systems. Most organizations, however, are still far from implementing a monitoring and optimization strat- egy for their facilities. Barriers include the high cost of optimization systems as well as still-present tech- nological limitations. To be sure, exploiting data from multiple energy sources and utilities could help organizations achieve their most challenging environmental and sustainability targets. The good news is that digita- lization enabled by the IoT is continuing to evolve, making adoption of reliable and low-cost cloud or hybrid off erings easier than ever. THE BENEFITS OF POWER MONITORING AND ENERGY MANAGEMENT As mentioned, companies with power monitor- ing and energy management systems can achieve important cost and maintenance savings by contin- ually assessing their operating data. In most cases, these savings directly impact the P&L bottom line. That said, there could also be under-evaluated benefi ts that are less obvious: Energy bill verifi cation A commercial bill usually provides only bottomline power usage and penalty charges. Often there is no way for the user to verify the correctness or make an analysis of these values. Installing an energy management system can provide simple but robust intelligence. For example, the ability to read kilowatt hours and active/reactive power, and to compare that data with tariff s published in the contract, will help identify errors or misreadings. Multi-utility valida- tion A commercial or industrial site generally has diff erent providers for energy, water and other util- ities. The bills (i.e. water) are usually based on dif- ferent timeframes (i.e. monthly, bimonthly, quar- terly, etc.) and are often not checked or controlled accurately. Small but continuous leakages often go unde- tected for long periods of time, leading to unex- pected high charges. Data monitoring can support the alerting and early detection of leakages, thus allowing for timely intervention and cost savings. Track load profi les Tracking the load profi les helps to identify early signs of poor equipment health. Let’s assume that, from the time of installation, a typical power load peaks at 6 a.m. and drops off at the end of the day. Tracking the load will immediately help spot a change in that pattern, thus revealing an underly- ing potential problem - for example, a malfunction- ing compressor or equipment left running over- night. Data comparison can support the energy / facility manager in assessing the situation and planning for a correction before the problem becomes severe. Multi-site comparison Better quality and continuous fl ow of information will have a signifi cant impact on organizations with a multi-site structure. Having a more accurate com- parison between diff erent facilities that might be similar will allow a harmonization of operations and costs. Let’s say there are two equivalent production lines in two diff erent facilities. One production line is performing below par, consuming more energy than the other due to poorly functioning equip- ment. Multi-site comparison of power consump- tion and power quality helps pinpoint where the problem is, allowing for the appropriate correc- tive action. Maximize equipment performance Harmonic distortion caused by nonlinear loads is a common issue that can damage electrical com- ponents. In the same way, transients, swells and under/over voltage events can have a harmful eff ect on equipment. For example, a mere 5% har- monic distortion within transformers can result in a 25% loss of capacity. Similarly, large motor imbalances will cause ineffi cient performance, potentially leading to a large amount of wasted energy8 and increased probability of failure. Power-quality management features coupled with general device information can help identify the problem early so that damage and downtime can be minimized, if not eliminated entirely. SPOTLIGHT: • A virtual face-to-face video interview • The perfect platform for your senior region- al representative to address his professional peers in the region and articulate your organ- isations unique and distinct brand message at this vital time for the industry THE PANEL: • A virtual Roundtable • Elevate the size, scope and complexity of a key topic, or challenge the industry is facing and discuss the ‘best-of-class’ solutions that the industry should be making themselves aware of with a table of your professional peers FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Mark Grennell Group Sales Manager M: +971 52 641 4942 E: mark.grennell@itp.com We are experiencing a signifi cant increase in traffi c and engage- ment across all our digital channels, so we are launching 3 new digital Special Features to help you connect with, engage with and inspire the largest audience of downstream professionals in the Middle East at this extremely important time. Digital Reach - 233,934 - Industry Professionals Every Month WEBINAR: • Harnessing its industry leading reputation and market leading database, Utilities Middle East will design, manage and promote a compelling, insightful and truly engaging webinar • The perfect forum to deliver tangible, business critical information CONNECT | ENGAGE | INSPIRE 12 Utilities Middle East / September 2020 www.utilities-me.com NEWS ANALYSIS HOW EGYPT BANKS ON RENEWABLES TO MEET EXPECTED SURGE OF ENERGY DEMAND To meet its soaring demand for energy, Egypt is turning to renewable sourc- es. Its targets, if accomplished, will see it become a pioneer in the African energy landscape. But are the plans realistic? www.utilities-me.com September 2020 / Utilities Middle East 13 NEWS ANALYSIS Egypt’s population has now passed 100 million. As one of the most populous and fastest-growing nations on the Afri- can continent, providing electricity to all its citizens is a matter of priority for the Egyp- tian government. To ensure continuous security and stability of energy supply, Egypt has launched an energy diversifi cation strategy, known as the 2035 Inte- grated Sustainable Energy Strategy (ISES), which aims to step up the development of renewable energy and energy effi ciency in the country. Egypt aims to produce 20% of its electricity using renewable sources by 2022 and 42% by 2035. For the second target, the goal is for wind to pro- vide 14%, hydropower 2%, and solar 25%. AMBITION DRIVEN BY NECESSITY This is a hugely ambitious energy plan, but it is one that is necessary for Egypt to fl ourish. In particu- lar, the country wants to diversify its mix of power sources. Egypt has introduced nuclear power and it is also developing a few megaprojects that will bring a massive amount of gas into its energy mix. “This is in stark contrast to 2014, when, due to electricity shortages, Egypt was forced to intro- duce more coal into its energy mix in order to lower its dependence on imported gas. Rising demands, the falling costs of renewable energy, and the discovery of new natural gas sources have allowed Egypt to both diversify its energy mix and become an exporter of ga,” says Toufi k Khitous from Wartsila Energy in Egypt. Furthermore, environmental concerns over the generation and use of coal have reinforced this ecological approach. Egypt has signed up to the United Nations Framework Convention on Cli- mate Change (UNFCCC), meaning that it has no option but to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels. THE SPILL-OVER EFFECT Tapping into renewable energy will benefi t Egypt in ways more than one. It will enhance the coun- try’s economic growth and bring revenues in for- eign currency. The increased usage of renewable energy is expected to lead to exporting fossil fuels or using them in other areas domestically, such as industrial production. “The transition to renewable energy sources is also expected to help local businesses in Egypt, since the cost of electricity is an essential factor for business owners,” says Khitous. “While solar power and sustainable electricity are not widely available in the country yet, there is merit in Egypt’s plan to tap into renewable energy sources in the long run.” More factories will lean towards sustainable renewable energy sources if it is economical, due to the cost of production and increasing price of electricity, he adds. NEED OF THE HOUR But to leverage the benefi ts of the transition to renewable energy, Egypt needs to overcome a few infrastructural and geographic hurdles. A report by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) provides a comprehen- sive assessment and recommendations for pri- mary measures that Egypt must consider to achieve the goals set out in ISES. The report points out the need to update Egypt’s electric power sector strategies to refl ect the growing cost advantages and other benefi ts of renewable energy. It also focuses on reforming the existing market framework to improve the economic feasibility of projects. Additionally, the country is very much split in two by the fabled river Nile, with many regions in the south still not connected to the national grid. Egypt is very keen to invest in the tourism sector along the Red Sea, meaning there is a need for not only infrastructure but also the power to supply to these regions. Egypt’s situation has changed a lot since 2011. Nowadays, the issue is distribution rather than consumption. Egypt has a tradition of setting its energy distribution vertically. This has a rather negative impact on how the energy is consumed, but this can change since we are starting to see more industries coming into the country as Egypt is encouraging private sector participation. WHAT LIES AHEAD? Between 2022 and 2027, Egypt plans to install an additional thermal power plant and two clean coal technology power plants. These initiatives are expected to exceed the nation’s peak power and electricity demands. Of the renewable energy targets for 2022, both solar and wind are considered achievable. In particular, the Benban Solar Complex project, which is considered one of the largest solar PV power plant projects in the world, and has a total installed capacity of 1.8 GW, is foreseen to come online alongside a number of utility-scale wind farm projects in Gulf of Suez. Egypt certainly has a lot of unanswered ques- tions at present, but it does seem to be on the right track. Three big parts – gas, sea turbines and renewables – need to play their part going forward. Egypt has no choice; it must invest in renewables. The sector at the moment only makes up around 2% of the energy mix, but these announcements could rise it to 20% – this is almost a revolution. EWEC awards tenders for 2GW solar plant SOLAR ENERGY STORAGE The Emirates Water and Electricity Com- pany (EWEC), a leading company in the coor- dination of planning, purchasing and provid- ing of water and electricity across the UAE, announced the award for the world’s largest solar power plant. The project was awarded to a consortium led by Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (TAQA) and Masdar, with partners EDF and JinkoPower, for the development of the 2 GW Al Dhafra Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Independent Power Producer (IPP) project, which will be located approxi- mately 35 kilometers from Abu Dhabi city. The project’s power purchase agreement (PPA) and shareholders’ agreement were signed with EWEC. The rigorous procurement process resulted in one of the most cost-competitive tariff s for solar PV energy, set at AED 4.97 fi ls/kWh (USD 1.35 cents/kWh) on a levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) basis. Upon full commercial operation, the plant is expected to reduce Abu Dhabi’s CO2 emissions by more than 2.4 million metric tonnes per year, equivalent to removing approximately 470,000 cars from the road. “We are working to secure long-term energy supply and reinforce solar power’s integral role in meeting current and future energy needs. Combined with key technological advances, the Al Dhafra Solar PV project will have a signifi - cant impact on diversifying the approach to our current electricity supply, and drive our strate- gic plan to further contribute towards the sec- tor’s transformation in water and electricity pro- duction, as we develop a low-carbon grid in the UAE,” said Othman Al Ali, Chief Executive Offi cer of EWEC. The Al Dhafra Solar PV project is expected to provide approximately 160,000 households across the UAE with electricity. It will be larger than TAQA’s existing 1.2 GW ‘Noor Abu Dhabi’ solar plant. THE LATEST NEWS YOU NEED TO KNOW ON THE GCC & IRAQ TENDERS, CONTRACT WINS AND PROJECTS UNDERWAY The preparation for Azelio’s energy storage installation in Abu Dhabi is progressing accord- ing to plan. The project has reached an impor- tant milestone in a signed agreement with ALEC Energy to prepare and set up the installation site. ALEC Energy is the solar business division of ALEC Engineering and Contracting L.L.C., part of the Investment Corporation of Dubai. Azelio and ALEC Energy recently signed a Memo- randum of Understanding, covering a collaboration over 49 MW installed capacity of Azelio’s energy stor- age until 2025. “We are very excited about this solar storage col- laboration with Azelio and are working on a number of other identifi ed regional opportunities to intro- duce this innovative storage solution for larger schemes as the Azelio product moves through its structured development program,” said James Stew- Consortium comprising TAQA, Masdar, EDF and JinkoPower sign Power Purchase Agreement with EWEC MHPS will supply three JAC gas turbines and other auxiliary equipment through Samsung C&T Corporation, the South Korean company that is the lead contractor for the project. MHPS has also concluded a Long Term Service Agree- ment (LTSA) for the project. Full commercial operation of the GTCC plant is scheduled to begin in 2023. The new plant (Fujairah F3) is being built in a coastal area of Fujairah (Qidfa), approximately 300km northeast of the UAE capital of Abu Dhabi. The SPC that will operate the plant (Fujairah Power Company F3 LLC) expects the facility to supply Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC) with electricity for 25 years, with capacity suffi cient to power 380,000 UAE households. It will be the UAE’s largest gas-fi red GTCC facility. MHPS bags deal Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems (MHPS) got an order for three M701 JAC gas turbine generators for the 2.4GW Fujairah F3. art, ALEC Energy’s General Manager. “We are happy to progress in our collaboration with ALEC Energy. This agreement is an important milestone for the project in Masdar City together with Masdar and Khalifa University and will ensure a high-quality installation,” said Jonas Eklind CEO of Azelio. The success of this project could help aid a sustain- able recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic. Contracts Azelio in 49MW energy storage deal FUJAIRAH F3 Azelio will install a verification project in Abu Dhabi in Q3 2020 together with Masdar and Khalifa University 14 Utilities Middle East / September 2020 www.utilities-me.comMasdar, EDF in partnership for 8 US renewable energy projects TAQA TAQA awards $245mn projects for recycled water The program’s expansion will signifi cantly increase the use of recycled water beyond municipal landscaping to include commercial and agricultural operations EDF Renewables North America and Masdar, one of the world’s leading clean energy devel- opers and a subsidiary of Mubadala Invest- ment Company, has announced Masdar’s second strategic investment in the United States (US) in a deal with EDF Renewables North America that will see it acquire a 50% stake in a 1.6GW clean-energy portfolio. Under the terms of the agreement, Masdar has acquired a 50 percent interest in three utility-scale wind farms in Nebraska and Texas totalling 815 megawatts (MW), and fi ve photovoltaic (PV) solar projects in California – two of which include battery energy storage systems – totalling 689 MW of solar and 75 MW of lithium-ion battery energy storage. The 243MW Coyote wind project is located in Scurry County, Texas; the 273 MW Las Majadas wind project is in Willacy County, Texas; and the 300 MW Milligan 1 wind project is in Saline County, Nebraska. All three wind projects are currently under construction and expected to begin com- mercial operations in the fourth quarter of 2020. “We are delighted to expand our presence there through this landmark deal to invest in eight clean energy assets in California, Nebraska and Texas, and to further strengthen our global partnership with EDF Renewables.” In Riverside County, California, the Desert Har- vest 1 and Desert Harvest 2 PV projects total 213 MW of solar and 35 MW / 140 MWh of battery stor- age. Also in Riverside County are the 173 MW Mav- erick 1 and 136 MW Maverick 4 solar PV projects. These four projects are also under construction and slated for commercial operations in the fourth quarter of 2020. The fi nal project in the portfolio is Big Beau, a 166 MW solar PV and 40 MW/160 MWh battery energy storage project. RENEWABLES fi t from the supply of recycled water, which would further support the program’s objectives to opti- mize the use of desalinated water, prevent the depletion of ground water resources and divert more recycled water towards a wider range of uses. This phase of ADDC’s recycled water distribu- tion program builds on its announcement in Jan- uary, when the company began transmitting a capacity of 4.4 MIGD of recycled water for land- scaping irrigation on Saadiyat Island, through a new transmission scheme supplied from the existing network on Yas Island. Now, ADDC’s expanded transmission infra- structure will serve commercial and agricultural clients along the outskirts of the city of Abu Dhabi. These two new projects will, collectively, encom- pass the laying of approximately 150 kilometers of pipelines in two phases, with the fi rst 30 MIGD pipeline project slated for completion by Q3 2021 and the second 55 MIGD project slated for Q4 2021. ADDC intends to be a sustainable, reliable and effi cient supplier of water. Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (TAQA) announced that its subsidiary, Abu Dhabi Dis- tribution Company (ADDC), awarded projects worth up to $245 million to expand the com- pany’s recycled water distribution program. The two new projects will, upon completion, have a combined capacity to transmit approxi- mately 85 million imperial gallons per day (MIGD) of recycled water – enough to irrigate more than 3.5 million palm trees. The program’s expansion will signifi cantly increase the use of recycled water beyond munic- ipal landscaping to include commercial and agri- cultural operations. Following completion of the projects, approximately 4,000 farms could bene- ACWA Power announced the appointment of Shanghai Electric as the Engineering, Pro- curement and Construction (EPC) contrac- tor for the 5th phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid Solar Park, which follows within only 3 months of the PPA signing between Dubai Elec- tricity and Water Authority (DEWA) and the consortium led by ACWA Power. APICORP’s new move marks its fi rst equity investment in Jordan. In a private virtual ceremony, Mr. Moham- mad Abunayyan, Chairman of ACWA Power and Mr. Zheng Jianhua, Chairman of Shanghai Elec- tric addressed a gathering of senior delegates and company representatives from both parties, reit- Landmark agreement with EDF Renewables North America will see Masdar expand its footprint in the US The 900MW photovoltaic plant is the first utility scale solar PV power plant to operate remotely with zero manpower on site ACWA, Shanghai Electric partner for 5th Phase of MBR solar park SOLAR erating their commitment to the project and long- standing partnership. The Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) for the project was signed in April 2020 between Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) and ACWA Power, achieving a world-record solar energy tariff for 1.6953 cents per kilowatt hour. CONTRACTS www.utilities-me.com September 2020 / Utilities Middle East 15INDUSTRY TRENDS 16 Utilities Middle East / September 2020 www.utilities-me.com The emirate of Sharjah will soon be home to the UAE’s fi rst Waste to Energy plant. But as work on the 30MW facility nears com- pletion scheduled for 2021, the company is looking ahead to ensure that residual waste is solid waste per year The Sharjah Waste to Energy facility will dis- place almost 450,000 tons of CO2 emissions per year, and generate up to 30 megawatts of electric- ity which will be directly supplied to the Sharjah managed sustainably to support a circular economy. Developed through the Emirates Waste to Energy Company, a joint venture between Bee’ah and Masdar, the waste-to-energy plant will process 300,000 tons of nonrecyclable Emirates Waste to Energy Company will generate up to 30MW of electricity by displacing almost 450,000 tons of CO2 emissions per year at its plant in Sharjah. But besides producing electricity, it has found ways to extract value from the plant’s residual waste AFTER WASTE IS CONVERTED INTO ENERGY, WHAT’S NEXT? INDUSTRY TRENDS www.utilities-me.com September 2020 / Utilities Middle East 17 electricity grid to power up to 28,000 homes. SUSTAINABLE DESIGN The design of the Sharjah Waste to Energy facility is unique, because there is extensive use of direct air exchange for mechanical system cooling and boiler cleaning with no water consumption, which is ideal given the scarcity of water in the region. As the fi rst waste-to-energy plant in the UAE, the facility will face specifi c weather conditions, such as hot and dry atmospheric conditions and strong sandy winds. These environmental conditions have already been factored into the design of the equipment and operations. The process includes an injection of dry lime powder to treat acid gases at the outlet of the boiler, which optimizes emissions performance, reducing the amount of carbon dioxide released to the atmosphere. The process starts with a weighbridge for waste collection vehicles, followed by the unload- ing of waste into a waste bunker, and there will be a control room with an operator who will oper- ate a crane to transfer waste from the bunker and into the boiler. The combustion grates technology provide waste fl ow to ensure drying, ignition, combus- tion, energy release and complete burn-out before reaching the bottom ash outlet. The boiler will recover heat from incinerated waste to pro- duce steam. The high-pressure, high-temperature steam is converted into electrical energy through a steam turbine that is connected to a step-up transformer that then transfers the electricity to SEWA’s grid. The low pressure and low temperature steam runs through an air-cooled condenser to transform into condensate that is reused in the plant again, as part of a closed loop water cycle. In addition, the Sharjah Waste to Energy facil- ity has adopted a high performance and an inno- vative fl ue gas treatment system to ensure that the fl ue gases can be safely released into the atmosphere. Flue gas is a mixture of gases pro- duced by burning materials in power stations or industrial plants. REPURPOSING WASTE FROM WTE There are two primary forms of ash left over from waste to energy incineration is Incinerator Bottom Ash (IBA), otherwise known as bottom ash, and Air Pollution Control Residues (APC), also known as Fly Ash. To extract value from the residual waste, Bee’ah partnered with UAE-based startup Seramic Mate- rials to explore recycling ashes from the Sharjah Waste to Energy facility by turning it into sustain- able, aff ordable and durable ceramic materials. Bee’ah is also considering processing the ash to be used in the construction industry. “Bee’ah believes that partnership and co-cre- ation with partners can help to solve some of the region’s greatest environmental challenges – in this case, it is closing the loop for waste-to-energy solu- tions and furthering zero-waste ambitions here in the UAE,” said HE Khaled Al Huraimel, Group CEO of Bee’ah and Chairman of the Emirates Waste to Energy Company. ROADMAP TO ZERO-WASTE TO LANDFILL Bee’ah is currently on track to help Sharjah achieve zero-waste-to-landfi ll by 2021 on the completion of the Sharjah Waste to Energy facility. Bee’ah’s zero-waste strategy includes advanced recycling facilities and generating public awareness on the importance on waste segregation and recycling. Through its Waste Processing, Treatment & Recovery division, Bee’ah is supportingcircular economy by processing waste to ensure that it is recycled, recovered, regenerated, and put back into the economy. It is facilitating this process through its state-of- the-art Waste Management Complex, home to some of the world’s most advanced recycling facilities. Among Bee’ah’s recycling facilities is the Con- struction and Demolition Waste Recycling Facil- ity which has played an important role in diverting the waste produced from the UAE’s booming con- struction sector, away from landfi ll. With a recov- ery rate of 95%, the facility processes 500,000 tons of construction waste every year to produce fi ve grades of ADQCC-certifi ed aggregates and they are also used in the construction industry in which many products can be produced such as interlock and curb stones. Through its operations, the facility produces a diverse portfolio of dry recyclables in the UAE, for use in construction, landscaping and cement production, reducing dependency on natural resources and protecting the health of the environment. HE Al Huraimel added: “Through our opera- tions, we are strategically designing waste out of systems and leading the UAE’s sustainable agenda through investments in green infrastruc- ture and other ventures. Innovations such as waste to energy can help to propel our country’s growth, and ensure that development is under- pinned by sustainability.” HE Khaled Al Huraimel, Group CEO of Bee’ah and Chairman of the Emirates Waste to Energy CompanyINDUSTRY TRENDS 18 Utilities Middle East / September 2020 www.utilities-me.com Comarch Smart Metering is an Internet of Things (IoT) solution that responds to the need for remote and automatic measurement of media consumption. Originally it concerned only electricity meters, now it also includes meters for water, gas, heat and other utilities, the consumption of which should be constantly monitored. The system architecture, which creates a ready-made solution for the needs of urban infra- structure development, also includes the con- cepts for creating Smart City and Industry 4.0. Easy installation These systems are associated with the IoT con- cept and are based on a combination of three ele- ments: devices (which download data), cloud solutions (where data is stored) and connectiv- ity (communication technologies through which data is transmitted), while providing a constant fully remote access to data in real time. Most of them can be implemented using the utilities sector with the ability to monitor media supply networks and effi ciently respond to cur- rent events. Data can be obtained even from meters that are diffi cult to access and those located at long distances from each other. They are sent periodically, informing the end user about the reading, transmission data and possible failures and errors. This makes it pos- sible to send teams almost immediately where they are needed at any given time. All this is to respond as quickly as possible if a problem arises. In addition, the system enables to monitor own consumption by the users themselves on an ongoing basis. Thanks to the data provided to them in real time, they are encouraged to reduce their demand (and thus to reduce their bills and engage in more environmentally-friendly behaviour, e.g. to reduce the carbon footprint in the case of smart energy meters). Increased awareness of end users also results in their greater involvement and activity. existing infrastructure (the so-called retrofi tting — modernisation, digitalisation). These systems rely on the installation of small IoT devices that collect consumption data and transfer them to the customer’s IT systems. The installation itself does not require replace- ment or breach of the integrity of meters, thereby preserving manufacturer guarantees and low- cost digitalisation of the network. One can also carry it out in a fast, less invasive and safe way. Comarch Smart Metering is one such solution. In less frequent cases, you may need to replace some or all of the existing infrastructure with new components. In some countries, state legislation requires the periodic legalisation of meters – the installation of Smart Metering systems can take place during such activities. The entry barrier to IoT activities in the industry is therefore minimal. Revolution in the utilities industry A whole new era of readings has come. Smart Metering systems provide companies in the Gabriela Gil, Product Marketing Specialist at Comarch, explores the need for smart metering across water, gas, heat, and other utilities in the future WHAT ROLE WILL SMART METERING SYSTEMS PLAY IN THE FUTURE?INDUSTRY TRENDS www.utilities-me.com September 2020 / Utilities Middle East 19 The implementation of Smart Metering sys- tems has a real impact on the environment. We are currently observing an increase in the con- sumption of natural resources, especially water. The growing population causes an increase in consumption in households, industry, agricul- ture, and business. Climate change causes real threats related to droughts, fl oods and migration of people, which is why it is so important to strive to change demand for and supply of individual resources and to manage them more effi ciently by respon- sible entities. The implementation of smart metering systems is not only benefi cial for busi- ness, but necessary in the long term. In conclusion, incorporating an ecosystem of IoT solutions provides measurable value that allows the utilities sector to rationalise resource management and achieve real business benefi ts. On the other hand, the telecommunications sector gains revenues due to the digitalisation of the utilities sector. It provides a connection between devices and the IoT platform, and thus also contributes to the creation of green and smart cities, while protecting natural resources and the environment. Smart Metering system operation in prac- tice The Comarch smart metering system is a solu- tion that has been operating for over a year in practice. At the beginning of 2019, Comarch Smart Metering was implemented at a water supply company in the United Arab Emirates. The good condition of the current infrastruc- ture there precluded the replacement of cur- rently used meters, so it was necessary to carry out their digitalization. Comarch faced the chal- lenge of retrofi tting, which was a great success. The Comarch Smart Metering implemen- tation confi rmed that the device also works in extremely diffi cult conditions (in the desert, in sewage wells, where meters are located at a depth of up to 8 metres underground). The use of the new data transmission tech- nology (Narrowband-IoT) enabled to con- stantly transmit consumption and teleme- try data in a secure and stable manner. What is important, Comarch Smart Metering can also rely on other types of technology. Currently, work is underway on the 4G and LORA ver- sions. 4G version of Smart Metering is undoubtedly the best solution dedicated to meters in blocks of fl ats, offi ce buildings, and in multi-family housing, where they are densely located. It can run on any SIM card, which ensures ease of implementation through the use of existing cel- lular network infrastructure. The development perspective of Smart Metering with Comarch It is predicted that remote monitoring solu- tions, including resources, which include smart metering solutions, will increasingly revolu- tionize the utilities industry. (IoT in Smart Cities Market by Solution, Service, Application, and Region - Global Forecast to 2023, Markets and markets). We are already seeing a huge increase in their popularity. Climate change, the increase in demand for natural resources while reduc- ing their availability generates the need to seek new technological solutions to protect them. The implementation of such solutions is no longer just a business opportunity, but also a drastic need of the modern world to which we must all respond. Integration into other systems It is worth adding that the system designed by Comarch is also compatible with other solu- tions. Manhole Monitoring is one of them. It is a solution for fully automatic monitoring of openings and closures of all hatches, includ- ing sewage wells, switchboards or doors, which helps in remote data monitoring and immedi- ate response to unexpected situations. Comarch IoT Platform is a platform that con- nects devices with external applications and systems and collects and stores a huge amount of data obtained through IoT equipment. This cloud solution also includes the libraries nec- essary to quickly create applications with open application programming interfaces (APIs), which guarantees the security when monitor- ing the devices connected to it. Importantly, it easily integrates with other corporate systems, e.g. for customer relation- ship management (CRM), enterprise resource planning (ERP) and others. In addition, thanks to the Comarch IoT plat- form, integration with the Head-End System (HES) is also possible, so it performs automatic measurements and data acquisition. What is more, Comarch FSM (Field Service Manage- ment) enables to automate service and net- work maintenance as well as to manage the work of technicians/fi eld workers, which brings real business benefi ts. Next >