The Strategic Partnership Unveiled ⚡

In a significant move for the United Arab Emirates' energy sector, Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC) and Khalifa University of Science and Technology have announced a groundbreaking collaboration to pioneer state-of-the-art grid technologies. This partnership, revealed on February 2, 2026, aims to develop intelligent software modules that bolster grid stability and forecasting amid the nation's rapid shift toward renewable energy sources. By merging EWEC's operational prowess in power procurement and dispatch with Khalifa University's research expertise, the initiative promises to fortify the UAE's power infrastructure against the challenges of high renewable penetration.

The agreement underscores a commitment to innovation, focusing on artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) applications to handle the intermittency of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems and battery energy storage systems (BESS). As Abu Dhabi targets 60% clean energy by 2035, such advancements are crucial for maintaining reliability while decarbonizing the grid.

EWEC: Architect of Abu Dhabi's Energy Future

EWEC, the sole procurer, planner, and supplier of water and electricity in Abu Dhabi Emirate, plays a central role in the UAE's energy transformation. Responsible for forecasting demand, securing supply through competitive tenders, and managing system dispatch, EWEC oversees a portfolio that includes utility-scale solar plants exceeding 30 gigawatts (GW) by 2035 and 8 GW of BESS. Its strategies align with the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy's Clean Energy Strategic Target 2035, emphasizing reverse osmosis desalination for nearly emissions-free water production by 2030.

Under CEO Ahmed Ali Alshamsi, EWEC has driven cost reductions and supply security by integrating cleaner technologies. This partnership exemplifies EWEC's approach to embedding advanced analytics into operations, ensuring a resilient sector that supports the UAE Net Zero by 2050 initiative.

Khalifa University's Advanced Power and Energy Center (APEC): A Hub of Innovation

At the heart of Khalifa University's contribution is its Advanced Power and Energy Center (APEC), a research powerhouse dedicated to future-proofing electric energy systems. APEC tackles the integration of high-capacity renewables like PV, concentrated solar power (CSP), wind, nuclear, and energy storage into hybrid alternating current/direct current (AC/DC) grids, microgrids, and smart transportation electrification.

Directed by Prof. Mohamed El Moursi, APEC boasts collaborations with UAE utilities including EWEC, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), and Transmission Company (TRANSCO). Its projects, funded by over US$3 million from industry partners like Manitoba Hydro International and Elia Grid International, include stability assessment tools and virtual power plants (VPPs). APEC's AI-driven research on frequency and voltage stability using convolutional neural networks (CNNs), recurrent neural networks (RNNs), and long short-term memory (LSTMs) directly informs the new modules.

Core Scope: Developing Intelligent Grid Tools

The collaboration targets the creation of specialized software modules to enhance grid functions. Here's a step-by-step breakdown of the key developments:

• PV and Storage Integration: Modules to seamlessly incorporate large-scale PV systems with BESS, smoothing output variability.
• Power Ramping Prediction: AI algorithms forecast sudden changes in power generation, providing operators with advisory tools to stay within system limits.
• System Inertia Estimation: Machine learning models assess rotational inertia in low-inertia grids dominated by renewables, crucial for frequency stability.
• Frequency Deviation Forecasting: Predictive analytics anticipate deviations, offering real-time risk mitigation recommendations.

These tools leverage deep learning for real-time data from phasor measurement units (PMUs), enabling proactive stability management.

Alignment with UAE's Net Zero Ambitions

The UAE's Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative demands a tripling of electricity demand while slashing emissions. EWEC's role is pivotal, with plans for over 30 GW solar PV and 8 GW BESS by 2035, alongside low-carbon desalination under the UAE Water Security Strategy 2036. This partnership accelerates these goals by addressing grid challenges like ramping events and frequency control in high-renewable scenarios.

Statistics highlight the scale: The UAE invested $54 billion in renewables by 2030 targets, boosting installed capacity from 196 MW in 2015 to over 13 GW regionally by 2024. Advanced grid tech ensures 60% clean energy in Abu Dhabi without compromising reliability.

Knowledge Transfer and Emirati Empowerment

Beyond technology, the agreement emphasizes national capacity building. Emiratis will join project teams, receiving technical documentation, training, and multi-day workshops. Monthly reports will track skills transfer, fostering a new generation of engineers proficient in AI-grid applications.

HE Prof. Ebrahim Al Hajri, Khalifa University President, noted: “This project exemplifies academia's role in real-world challenges, transferring frontier knowledge to Emirati engineers.” Such initiatives align with UAE's human capital development in STEM.

For aspiring researchers, opportunities abound in energy fields. Explore higher education research jobs or academic career advice to enter this dynamic sector.

Overcoming Grid Modernization Challenges

Integrating renewables poses risks: variable output causes ramping (sudden power changes), reduced inertia leads to frequency swings, and high PV penetration strains voltage stability. The modules address these via:

• AI forecasting for precise demand-supply matching.
• ML-based inertia proxies using historical data.
• Advisory systems for operator interventions.

APEC's prior SAVE tool for stability visualization exemplifies this, now scaled for EWEC operations. Real-world cases from UAE pilots demonstrate 20-30% improved stability metrics.

Stakeholder Perspectives and Industry Impact

Ahmed Ali Alshamsi, EWEC CEO, stated: “Integrating AI-driven forecasting builds capabilities for UAE Net Zero by 2050.” This echoes APEC's industry collaborations, positioning Khalifa University as an innovation nexus.

Benefits extend to utilities, reducing outage risks and costs. For higher education, it opens doors to funded research, internships, and faculty roles in electrical engineering.

Future Horizons: Scaling Innovation

Looking ahead, successful modules could deploy across UAE grids, influencing GCC-wide standards. Expansions might include VPPs, demand response, and hydrogen integration. For academics, this heralds joint publications, grants via ASPIRE's AED 65.9 million VRI.

In UAE's context, where solar irradiance exceeds 2000 kWh/m² annually, these tools maximize clean energy yield. Researchers eyeing UAE university jobs or professor positions will find fertile ground in grid tech.

Photo by Logan Voss on Unsplash

Career Pathways in Energy Research

This partnership highlights demand for experts in AI, power systems, and renewables. Khalifa University offers PhD programs in electrical engineering, while EWEC seeks operators and analysts. Platforms like university jobs and higher ed jobs list openings.

• Research Assistant roles in APEC projects.
• Postdoc positions in ML for grids.
• Faculty in sustainable energy.

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