UAE: Decarbonisation transforming our energy system, says top official

Hitachi Energy has been initiating effective actions to accelerate decarbonisation, creating solutions to shift from fossil fuels to clean energy and helping the UAE achieve global net-zero goals for a sustainable energy future, a top official said in Abu Dhabi.

Marching ahead with its sustainability plan, the company achieved 100 per cent fossil-free electricity in its operations last year. Currently, the global technology leader is driving towards being carbon-neutral in its operations by 2030.

“Decarbonisation is transforming our energy system, driving an accelerated shift from fossil-based to renewable power generation and electrification of transportation, industry and buildings sectors. This is creating the need to optimise energy both locally and system-wide leading to a complex ‘system of systems’ that must be integrated and managed,” Dr Mostafa AlGuezeri, managing director for the UAE, Gulf, Near East, and Pakistan at Hitachi Energy, told Khaleej Times in an interview at ADIPEC’s decarbonisation zone.

“Digitalisation is the only way to manage this complexity, simplifying the contextualisation of massive amounts of data. But this must be balanced with managing and optimising today’s operations. Hitachi Energy can help navigate complex energy landscape, with the right combination of connected products, software-based solutions, and digitally enabled services.”

Renewable energy assets

Dr AlGuezeri noted that its Energy Connect platform, powered by IoT and AI technologies, can provide reliable real-time data acquisition and analysis to optimise the performance of renewable energy assets, such as wind turbines and solar panels, and improve their overall efficiency and reliability.

“This can lead to reduced downtime, longer asset life, and lower maintenance costs. The platform can also enable more informed decisions on energy usage and distribution, ultimately contributing to the decarbonisation of the energy system and combatting climate change.”

Reduce carbon footprint

Dr AlGuezeri pointed out that Hitachi Energy’s approach to decarbonisation has been focused on helping customers reduce their carbon footprint with the help of innovative technologies and digital energy management solutions.

“The company contributes to the environment and society by adhering to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 7, in particular – to ensure access to affordable, reliable, and modern energy for all.”

Dr AlGuezeri said Hitachi Energy’s EconiQ portfolio – launched late last year, serves as a testament to the firm’s dedication to sustainability.

• UAE’s low carbon energy transition is a leap forward