SMART GRIDS COULD SAVE GCC BILLIONS IN INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT BY 2020, SAYS MIDDLE EAST ELECTRICI

GMT2019-02-28 17:34:17(Beijing Time)

Dubai, UAE – 13 February 2019: The GCC could save up to US$ 10 billion in infrastructural investment in the comingyear 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.