Lithuania-based NanoAvionics is to provide Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (Dewa) with nanosatellites to support the digitalisation of Dubai’s power and water networks.

NanoAvionics is a smallsat manufacturer and mission integrator company. For Dewa, it will design, build, test and manage the launching of two nanosatellites 3U (IoT payload) and 6U (earth observation payload). The services supplied by NanoAvionics also include operation, knowledge transfer and training.

This is part of Dewa’s Space-D programme that seeks to enhance operational efficiency and reliability, and promote preventive maintenance for the planning, generation, transmission and distribution of electricity and water networks.

Through this programme, Dewa aims to improve the operations, maintenance and planning of its networks with the support of nanosatellite technology. Space-D supports Dewa’s grid digitalisation programme by using IoT and remote sensing technologies.

Also through this programme and the expertise of NanoAvionics, Dewa intends to enhance its flexibility and agility in monitoring and managing its electrical and water networks. With Space-D, it expects to reduce costs, improve its asset use and provide sustainable, efficient and reliable power and water services to its customers.

“The Space-D programme aims to build Dewa’s capabilities and train Emirati professionals to use space technologies to enhance its electricity and water networks,” said Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, CEO of Dewa. “The programme will take advantage of Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies such as the IoT, artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain to exchange information with the help of satellite communications and earth observation technologies. Dewa’s space programme will contribute to enhancing the UAE’s global competitiveness and strategic partnerships in the national space sector as well as paving the way for a new phase of Emirati capabilities in space exploration, technology and related industries that will be used to strengthen electricity and water networks in Dubai.”

The programme aims to enhance the performance and efficiency of the photovoltaic solar panels at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, said to be the largest single-site solar park in the world. The project also supports the National Space Strategy 2030, which aims to use space sciences, technologies, applications and related services to enhance development.

In line with its digital transformation, Dewa will use a 3U satellite with an IoT payload as well as a 6U satellite with an earth observation (EO) payload from NanoAvionics. Using satellite network connectivity, IoT terminals, satellite imagery and applying AI to the captured data should bring efficiency and effectiveness to operations, maintenance and planning.

The agreement with NanoAvionics also includes launch management, construction of the ground station and a training programme for Emirati professionals to facilitate know-how transfer and support in expanding Dewa’s future space capabilities.

“This is a fantastic project for NanoAvionics to be involved in and a great example of how satellite technology improves our lives and helps us to become more sustainable,” said Vytenis Buzas, CEO of NanoAvionics. “The knowledge transfer, in addition to satellite integration and mission operations for Dewa, also shows the capabilities and value that our expert team can bring to our customers. Our team has been part of more than 90 missions, including four successfully launched missions last year, and has previous experience in sharing its skills and knowledge through programmes with other international customers.”

The Space-D project includes the launch of a satellite constellation to support Dewa’s primary satellite. These will be manufactured by Emiratis at the R&D centre of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park. The system has a ground station at the solar park as well as IoT and AI technologies to support ground communication transmission stations in electricity and water networks.

By deploying this infrastructure, Dewa seeks to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of its planning and operations, and enhance preventive maintenance at its production, transmission and distribution divisions as well as its smart grids and electric vehicle charging stations. Multi-spectrum, high-resolution thermal imaging devices such as those used on board spacecraft, designed for use in electricity and water networks, will be deployed to detect thermal fingerprints in high voltage transmission lines, substations, buildings and solar power stations.

NanoAvionics is based in four locations across the USA, UK and Lithuania. The company’s efforts are focused on enabling critical satellite functions and optimising their hardware, launch and satellite operation costs by providing end-to-end small satellites ranging from single missions to constellations. Its core engineering team has implemented over 90 satellite missions and commercial projects during the past several years.