DUBAL excels in 2008 Emirates Energy Awards

DUBAL was the only organisation to win as many awards, being double the number received by its nearest competitors in the contest.

The awards, presented to representatives of DUBAL during the Emirates Energy Award 2008 presentation ceremony at the Grand Hyatt Dubai on 20 January 2009, are:

Major Energy Award 2008 - 1st place:

Awarded to DUBAL's 'Redirect Culvert Outfall' project, which effectively overcame the increased temperature of the Desalination Plant's intake water following the construction of a breakwater in the 1990s (to protect the intake from potential oil slick during the Gulf War). The diversion project has yielded considerably improved operating efficiencies, and annual energy savings of approximately 61,858 MWh.
This innovative project has already received recognition internationally, having won the Idea of the Year Trophy and the Overall Idea of the Year Trophy in the 2008 USA Employee Involvement Association Competition; and the Idea of the Year International Category Award in the 2008 Ideas.UK Competition.

Major Energy Award 2008 - Runner-up:

Awarded to DUBAL's 'Compressed Air System Optimisation' project, which involved the implementation of various initiatives designed to minimised compressed air wastage, thereby saving approximately 35,056 MWh per year. These included a comprehensive leak-detection and rectification programme; stationary compress upgrades; reducing internal losses and installing durable, high temperature silicon hoses.

Minor Energy Award 2008 - Runner-up:

Awarded to DUBAL's 'Reduction in Distribution Losses' project, which formed part of the company's ongoing quest to improve the fuel efficiency of its captive power generating equipment. The project entailed replacing the company's existing 23-year-old 90MVA generator transformers with higher capacity transformers and a 132 kV network designed to support both the existing load and anticipated further increases in demand. This improved the overall efficiency of the power plant operations, resulting in an energy savings of some 18,396 MWh per year.

Engineer Award 2008 - Runner-up:

Presented to Mohammed J Sadek (Manager, Mechanical, Power and Desalination Plant), who has led the company's efforts to significantly enhance plant availability, reliability and efficiency and, thereby, help reduce the ownership costs substantially. Under his leadership, a vast number of initiatives have been implemented that have resulted in significant energy- and cost-savings, as well as considerable reductions in the company's impact on the environment.

No stranger to the Emirates Energy Award winner's podium, DUBAL won the Private Corporation category and was named runner-up in the Education & Research category in the inaugural Emirates Energy Award 2007.

Held under the patronage of H H Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, the Emirates Energy Awards offer a GCC-based forum for recognising the best implemented practices in energy conservation and management, which showcase innovative, cost-effective and replicable energy efficiency measures. In total, DUBAL submitted eight entries in three of the six award categories in the Emirates Energy Award 2008 competition (Major Energy Project; Minor Energy Project; and Energy Engineer).

Tayeb M M H Awadhi (General Manager: Power & Desalination), who sponsored DUBAL's participation, said,

"As DUBAL is a power-intensive organisation by nature, it has always been our top priority to ensure that energy resources are utilised in the most optimum manner. Our aggressive approach towards energy reduction has enabled us to reduce our specific energy usage by 10% since 1990, whilst improving overall GT efficiency from 27% to 41% and also reducing NOx levels from 0.06 t/mt of aluminium to 0.027 t/mt. These reductions help protect the environment and benefit the surrounding communities."

He adds that effective energy production and utilisation are among the primary targets for all production areas of DUBAL. "It's the way we do business every day," says Awadhi. "As a result, we have consistently brought the specific energy for production down whilst increasing MW production for a given amount of fuel. This helps DUBAL keep its production unit costs low."

DUBAL's track record reflect the fulfilment of the company's duty, as a good corporate citizen, to strive continually towards energy conservation through careful utilisation - especially given the potential environmental impacts associated with power generation and energy consumption. "The resulting energy-conservation culture within DUBAL has inspired the development of new and innovative solutions throughout the company's history and across all levels of the organisation. There's even a dedicated category for energy-saving ideas within the DUBAL Suggestion Scheme," says Awadhi.