Dewa registers universal system patent for electric vehicle charging stations

All types of electric vehicles are catered for by a simplified charging process

Dewa has already installed more than 270 green charging stations across Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) registered a patent for a universal smart system for electric vehicle charging stations, as the emirate continues to pursue its green economy goals.

The new system developed by Dewa's R&D Centre researchers can charge all types of electric vehicles with a single cable and plug, according to a Dubai Media Office statement.

“As a globally leading sustainable innovative corporation, Dewa works to harness innovation and creativity to encourage the use of sustainable transport and increase the number of government electronic and hybrid vehicles,” Saeed Al Tayer, managing director and chief executive of Dewa, said.

The new patent registered by R&D Centre, its second since it opened last year, will provide a “seamless” consumer experience, and will raise Dewa’s “position as a pioneering world-class utility”.

Dewa’s new system will help reduce carbon emissions in ground transport, which is the second-largest greenhouse gas emitter in Dubai, Mr Al Tayer said. In September, the emirate said it cut carbon emissions in 2019 by 22 per cent as result of its green growth strategy.

Governments around the world are pursuing green energy targets, and plan to phase out conventional combustion engine vehicles as part of efforts to reduce carbon emissions.

The UK is set to stop sales of new petrol and diesel cars from 2030. The move is part of Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s 10-point plan for a “green industrial revolution”. The UK has set aside £12 billion ($15.9bn) for the environment plan.

Car makers are also pivoting to the electric vehicles and developing next generation battery technology to get more millage out of every charge. However, charging points for electric vehicles are just a fraction of existing patrol stations.

Dewa said its new system simplifies the charging process. Its charging station caters for all types of electric vehicles and automatically adapts the plug and the vehicle’s charging requirements.

The new system includes an optical identification system, a camera, a microprocessor unit and an AI programme. It can recognise the vehicle plate number and identify the appropriate type of plug it would need through its database, Hamad Al Beshr, a smart grids integration researcher at Dewa R&D Centre, said.

“What the customer has to do is to pull the cable and connect it to the vehicle,” he said.

Dewa’s R&D Centre, which has published 65 scientific papers in clean energy, is currently building a prototype for further study.

The utility has already installed more than 270 green charging stations across Dubai.

Private electric vehicle owners registered in Dewa’s “Green Charger” services can charge their vehicles free until the end of 2021. Vehicles owned by companies, government and semi-governmental entities could charge for 29 fils/kWh.