Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) became the first local government organization to establish its platform on the Metaverse in order to provide its services to consumers, employees, and members of the community using its “DEWAVerse” platform.
DEWA invests in Metaverse technology to implement and improve its ongoing and upcoming initiatives, which helps to increase stakeholder satisfaction, company growth, boost productivity, and cut costs.
This was revealed at a meeting of DEWA’s Digital Transformation Steering Committee, where McKinsey also participated and presented the report on the Digital Quotient Assessment 2022, emphasizing that DEWA has maintained its position as a leading utility company in the world when it comes to digital innovation.
“At DEWA, we work to improve our use of Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies, including the Metaverse, which is a key pillar and a new way of working in all crucial sectors. We want to utilize this technology to find new opportunities and offer creative solutions that speed up growth and improve Dubai’s position in the region and around the world. This advances the goals of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai, to use artificial intelligence and digital technology to improve performance and the quality of life for all.
In order to increase Dubai’s achievement in this area, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai, initiated the Dubai Metaverse Strategy, which aims to make Dubai one of the top 10 metaverse economies as well as a global hub for the metaverse community.
Seven projects utilizing Metaverse technology were examined during the meeting. These include the first of its kind in the region, the Customer Service Center, which enables users to contact with Customer Care Center workers to resolve their issues and carry out transactions online. Users of DEWA Workplace can move about the DEWA buildings and hold meetings there. Users of DEWA Future Lab can have brainstorming sessions, talk about problems, and come up with the best solutions utilizing innovation tools in a virtual environment. First aid and fire safety practices are basically introduced in this program. Solar panel repair and report generation are all done by MetaDrone using VR. New recruits can access virtual information on DEWA’s vision and mission through DEWA Onboarding.
In 2014, DEWA was among the first governmental organizations in Dubai to fully complete the smart transformation of all of its services. The adoption of Google Glasses in 2014, which represented a fresh shift in the quality of services offered, is one of DEWA’s major turning points. The app was created specially to meet DEWA’s requirements for keeping track of any issues at its stations. Microsoft’s HoloLens Technology was implemented by DEWA in 2016 in order to better its operations and boost productivity. The first government agency to use this technology in water and power services was DEWA. Additionally, DEWA began utilizing the Smart Helmet & Smart Glasses (DAQRI) in 2017 to assist engineers in power plants. This device utilizes virtual reality technology.
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For the first time in the MENA region, DEWA organized the 22nd Water, Energy, Technology and Environment Exhibition (WETEX) and Dubai Solar Show (DSS) in 2020 on a virtual 3D platform. The event made it possible for attendees and exhibitors to participate without having to travel. Additionally, DEWA offered its staff access to a virtual reality studio and self-service. The training facility offers DEWA staff members simulated instruction in first aid, safety protocols, and fire prevention, as well as an overview of DEWA, its initiatives, overall strategy, and the services it offers to both staff members and consumers.
Meanwhile, a virtual reality generation, production, and distribution project for energy and water was also introduced by DEWA in 2021. This project offers a 3D simulation of 132/11 kV substations, an interactive training test, and a simulation and visualization model for a variety of devices and equipment in the distribution network. At its Innovation Centre in the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, DEWA introduced a Digital Guide and Virtual Orientation tour in 2022 using augmented reality.
