SEWA Sustainability through digital transformation
SEWA
02
Digital disruption in the energy industry WRITTEN BY
AMBER DONOVAN-STEVENS PRODUCED BY
CAITLYN COLE
03
w w w.se wa. g ov. a e
Afra Alowais, the Chief Efficienology Officer of Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority, shares the company’s digital transformation driving enhanced sustainability
T
he government-owned Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority (SEWA) became a profitable organisation in 2015 and has
seen gradual expansion in conjunction with Sharjah 04
Emirate ever since. It has won several awards in the United Arab Emirates and across the globe, including the ‘Best Energy Efficiency Solution C&I’ at the Asian Utility Innovation Awards, Asian Utility Week 2018 in Thailand; the ‘UAE Energy Management Insight Award 2017’ from the Ministry of Energy and industry; and the ‘Sustainability Innovation Award 2017,’ awarded by Oracle. The role of Chief Efficienology Officer was explicitly created for Afra Alowais, who is responsible for driving the initiatives relating to efficiency and technology. Alowais joined SEWA having graduated as a Sustainable and Renewable Energy Engineer only six months prior. She became fluent in English – less than three years after joining SEWA – so that she could better represent the organisation as an official spokeswoman, speaking at global events not only
05
w w w.se wa. g ov. a e
on behalf of SEWA, but for Sharjah Emirate as a whole. Her diligence and dedication to sustainability in Sharjah earned her the autonomy to create her department: Energy Management and Audit. This department is charged with implementing a programme called ‘Energy Efficiency and retrofit’. Alowais shares that her team is a group of
“ Energy efficiency must be more 06 than a slogan” — Afra Alowais, Chief Efficienology Officer of Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority
female engineers who also share passion and motivation. “Efficiency and conservation are key components of energy sustainability: the concept that every generation should meet its energy needs without compromising the needs of future generations,” she says. The Pareto principle is at the centre of her leadership ethos. She believes that a leader should be self-motivated to inspire those within the team to accomplish the strategy. “A team member believes in promoting environmental stewardship and green growth, and whole-heartedly contributes to the policy and research in energy efficiency,” says Alowais, “As Chief Efficienology Officer, I promote the use of new and renewable
CLICK TO WATCH : ‘HIGHLIGHT ON 22ND JULY 2019 THE 11TH ANNUAL SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT CONGRESS WEEK’ 07 energy sources and encourage sound
designed around knowledge manage-
environmental policies and practices.”
ment and aligned with the vision of the Ruler of Sharjah Emirate H.H.Dr.
THE PATH TO SUSTAINABLE ENERGY
Sheikh Sultan Al Qassimi for Sharjah to
“Sustainability is at the core of SEWA’s
become the UAE ‘City of Conservation’.
pathway,” says Alowais. “With the
“As a Government utility we have these
widespread support of the Paris
four stages: generation, transmission,
Agreement on climate change, we are
distribution of power, and electricity
finally seeing a great momentum
and gas. More importantly, we wish to
building up to tackle climate change.”
build a strong sense of trust with the
She says that SEWA plays a crucial
customer. We are beyond being a
role in decarbonising the UAE econo-
normal utility, so this is the transforma-
my by switching to cleaner fuels and
tion happening under our leadership.
adopting renewable energy. SEWA has
Most companies across all industries
a sustainability pathway which is
are moving to digitalise these services, w w w.se wa. g ov. a e
We’re creating a smart future for all kinds of facilities. How does improved comfort, safety, performance and energy efficiency throughout the lifecycle of your project or building sound? We have the solution – design, HVAC maintenance and repair, retrofits, system integrations and even financing options – no matter the type, age or size of the facility.
Solutions for virtually all facilities
Unlocking the power potential in cities All over the world, people are migrating to cities. Such growth brings greatly increased energy demands and infrastructure pressures. How can cities integrate best practices into sustainability planning and policymaking?
aves
$
$2 32%
in avoided Buildings power generation costs.
are responsible for
of global energy consumption and
$
1/4
of global human induced CO 2 emissions.
The pace of digitalization in energy strengthens the relationship between all energy leaders, Electricity and Water Authorities across the Middle East & Africa and Johnson Controls (JCI) to drive a broad range of energy solutions including designs and implementation of energy savings projects includes retrofitting and energy conservation of existing buildings. At all times, our innovations are focused on optimizing and reducing energy consumption that are striving to become more energy efficient, sustainable and healthful environment.
Developing countries can cut growth in energy demand invested in in avoided
$2half $1 moreSAVES than building efficiency
power generation costs.
Source: World Resources Institute - In partnership with Johnson Controls
Our digital technologies enable saving opportunities in all areas of the building. The cutting edge Central Plant Optimization solution takes in future weather data to maximize savings and performance. The Johnson Controls Enterprise Management System (JEMS) provides a holistic monitoring and control to provide actionable insight, that drive operational savings to the bottom line. Retrofitting of cooling and building controls solutions in existing buildings offers significant opportunities for reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
Featured Energy and Efficiency Services Building Energy Demand Response Programs Fund your energy future
Buildings Energy Retrofit Programs Saving energy to save money and improve performance
Renewable Energy Solutions Cleaner environment through green power solutions and sustainable energy efficiency services
Building Energy Performance Contracting Finding funding with guaranteed results
Commercial Lighting Systems and Solutions Building Lighting solutions – beyond energy savings
Water Conservation Services and Solutions Water savings equals energy savings
Please contact us for more details on how we accelerate building efficiency +971 4 309 9999 Johnson Controls Middle East and Africa Headquarters P.O. Box 31065, 13th Floor, API Tower, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, UAE middleeast.johnsoncontrols.com
Johnson Controls innovations that drive smart, safer and sustainable cities.
Qanat Al Qasba
(*Left to right)
• • • •
Baseline Analysis Energy Audit Energy Modeling Bench Marking
Petrofac
Sharjah, UAE - The senior leadership of Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) and Johnson Controls International celebrated their partnership upon the successful completion of the Energy Efficient Retrofit for Central Chiller Plant serving Qanat Al Qasba, a landmark destination in Sharjah that is extremely popular with tourists and residents. • • •
Energy Efficient Equipment Central Plant Optimization Measurement and Verification
Saving % 70.0%
55.2%
60.0% 50.0% 40.0% 30.0%
33.19%
20.0%
0.0%
0.0% 2009
• •
40.2%
44.2%
49.1%
17.4%
10.0%
•
33.8%
8.0%
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
Measurement and Verification Central Plant Optimization Insulation Improvement
2016
2017
• • • •
Johnson Controls partnered with Petrofac Sharjah, to save around 3,400 tons in annual greenhouse gas emissions, earning an energy management award. Reducing energy consumption by 55% over the 8 year program. Thermal Imaging Energy Modeling Energy Audit Baseline Analysis
His Excellency Marwan bin Jassim Al Sarkal valued the lead taken by Johnson Controls in extending their global Energy Service (ESCO) Solutions expertise to Shurooq with the York and Metasys brand and in retrofitting with high efficiency systems for better energy performance. *Left to right: His Excellency Marwan bin Jassim Al Sarkal - Shurooq CEO, Claude Allain - Vice President and Managing Director - Johnson Controls Middle East & Africa, Marcus Schumacher - Vice Presidenct and General Manager GCC - Johnson Controls Middle East & Africa
For further advanced technologies, energy-efficient and sustainable equipment. Please visit our website or call +971 4 309 9999. Johnson Controls Middle East and Africa Headquarters P.O. Box 31065, 13th Floor, API Tower, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, UAE middleeast.johnsoncontrols.com
S H A R J A H E L E C T R I C I T Y A N D W AT E R A U T H O R I T Y
10
“ Efficiency and conservation are key components of energy sustainability” — Afra Alowais, Chief Efficienology Officer of Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority
so we are trying to leverage AI to streamline the energy sector to be more cost-effective and accessible in line with the growing expectations of customers.” One example she gives of this digitalisation is the app available to customers, enabling them to track their bills, usage, and carbon emissions. This is part of the Green Billing Initiative that was launched in 2018 to combat paper waste. “Energy efficiency must be more than a slogan,” asserts Alowais.
OCTOBER 2019
11
A large part of this programme is the drive to retrofit buildings across Sharjah. “Retrofitting buildings in Sharjah city will facilitate the reduction of consumption and will support our commitment as a utility to meet the
CO MPAN Y FACT S
• In 2017, SEWA reached 2.5mn people through various channel strategies consisting of social media, emails, SMS and training.
demand. Experience from projects already done shows that we can easily save around 25-30% of the annual consumption in buildings, bringing significant cost savings.” The project was started in 2018 and covers two aspects: in-house facilities and w w w.se wa. g ov. a e
S H A R J A H E L E C T R I C I T Y A N D W AT E R A U T H O R I T Y
“ Sustainability is the core of SEWA’s Pathway” — Afra Alowais, Chief Efficienology Officer of Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority
12
during the past year, and reviewing how best to appeal to SEWA employees.” In addition to this, SEWA hosts an annual meeting for partners to attend to strengthen relationships. This event is open to various market players and includes stakeholders such as suppliers, contractors, customers, government authorities. SEWA makes
consumer’s facilities. It’s very impor-
its partners aware of its strategies,
tant to walk the talk and show consum-
plans, and goals and how it intends to
ers that we are committed to retrofit-
improve its sustainability performance.
ting our own facilities too. From the
“We place our stakeholders’ needs,
consumers side, the programme
expectations, and happiness at the
focuses on the greatest consumers in
core of our strategy, providing the
the city, ‘The Top 100’, which utilise
reliable electricity and water infrastruc-
most of the electricity and water in the
ture required to support Sharjah’s
SEWA’s network.”
economic growth.”
A vital component of the energy transformation is the Energy Manager
THE JOURNEY CONTINUES
Association. Last year, professors from
As SEWA moves forward with its
the UK visited SEWA’s Academy in the
energy transformation journey, it will
UAE to provide “intense training on
continue to support the optimisation of
energy” to the SEWA team, advising on
energy and water consumption at
energy management, energy auditing,
customer facilities with a goal of
efficiency, renewables, and behaviour-
eventually introducing and integrating
al change. “Last year, our team was
renewable power to the grid. Alowais
chosen as a core participant in this
believes that society is influenced by
programme, and now, one year on, we
being engaged and persuaded to
are carrying out a review of progress
understand the value of energy
E XE CU T I VE PRO FI LE
Afra Alowais Afra Al Owais leads the Energy Management and Audit Department of Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority (SEWA). She joined SEWA in 2016 after qualifying with a degree in Sustainable and Renewable Energy Engineering from University of Sharjah. Afra was specially selected for her current role after distinguishing herself with strategic projects. She is passionate about environmental stewardship and promoting green growth; one of SEWA’s key goals. Performing as a Sustainable and Renewable Energy Engineer, Afra contributes to policy and research in energy efficiency. Her vision is to bring about a sustained change in consumer behaviour and energy efficiency practices. Achieving the consequent reduction in resources used underpins everything that she does. She quickly recognises opportunities to translate strategy into action. To this end, she created the SEWA Sustainability Pathway as a permanent high-impact installation in the head office to illustrate the organisation’s vision. This foresight also drove her to commission an innovation project to explore changing customer behaviour using the FORTH Innovation Method, which is new to the region. Most recently, Afra has championed a building retrofit programme targeting a reduction of 30% in each premises – an initiative to advance the position of Sharjah as City of Conservation. The title of Chief Efficienology Officer was recently bestowed in recognition of her determination and commitment to develop Green Growth.
w w w.se wa. g ov. a e
13
S H A R J A H E L E C T R I C I T Y A N D W AT E R A U T H O R I T Y
900,000+ Sharjah’s population
1995
Year SEWA was founded
4,000
Approximate number of employees 14
OCTOBER 2019
15
efficiency, not by being pushed by policy. “It’s about highlighting the gain value from SEWA to the customer, not only the other way around. Customer loyalty can be delivered through excellent service, and we intend to continue to deliver this.” She concludes: “SEWA’s goal is to bring about a sustained change in consumer behaviour and energy efficiency practices, and achieving the consequent reduction in resources used.”
w w w.se wa. g ov. a e
Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority United Arab Emirates Sharjah Emirate Al Khan area Government Building Complex T +97165288888 www.sewa.gov.ae