The 4th Annual Smart Grids Smart Meters Summit opened in Abu Dhabi today with a call to utilities companies to understand the significance and savings brought by the integration of technology into energy grids. The two-day summit, officially supported by the Ministry Of Energy, U.A.E, hosted representatives of government authorities, policy-makers, regulatory authorities, utility providers and technology specialists. The summit was inaugurated by H.E. Eng. Suhail Mohammed Faraj Al Mazroui, Minister of Energy U.A.E along side Mr. Khalifa Hassan Al Shamsi, Chief Digital Services Officer, Etisalat Group. The welcoming note by summit chairman, Mr. Hicham Diab, Sales Director, Oracle Utilities set the tone for the rest of the summit proceedings.

Over 150 participants witnessed multiple presentations, panel discussions and case studies and the keynote presentation on 'Smart Grid Developments in Abu Dhabi' which underlined the importance of smart technologies, especially during the establishment of new projects was delivered by Mr. Nick Carter, Director - General of the Regulation and Supervision Bureau, Abu Dhabi. Other highlights included an international case study presented by Michael Pesin, Chief Technology Advisor and Smart Grid Architect at Seattle City Light, U.S.A on 'Building Smart Grid at Seattle City Light' and a session on "DEWA's Smart Grid Strategy and the three Smart Grid Initiatives” by Marco Christiaan Janssen, Director - Smart Grid Program Office from Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA).

Organised by Fleming Gulf, the summit also featured top officials from the region’s power providers, including Dubai Electricity And Water Authority, Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority, Muscat Electricity Distribution Company, Jordan Electricity and Power Company and the International Renewable Energy Agency, to name a few. The exhibition area featured leading technology providers such as Etisalat, Telliformer, Oracle-Utilities, Amplex, Baer, C3 Energy, Monenco and Eclipse, who showcased their portfolio of services followed by intensive networking amongst delegates, sponsors and dignitaries. The summit will also host a workshop by Rai'd Jemayyle, Head of Electric Power Delivery Department, Jordan Electricity and Power Company (JEPCO), on 'Cutting Edge Strategies of Smart Grids Deployments from the World Key Players Sharing Best International Practices', alongside more technical presentations and panel discussions in line with the theme of the summit.