These smart devices can help you save on utilities expenses

Muscat: Residents and businesses in Oman will be able to save time and money on utilities with the implementation of smart utilities innovation.
Schneider Electric, the leader in digital transformation of energy management and automation, partnering with Knowledge Oasis Muscat and the French Embassy in Oman, launched “Innovation Hub on Wheels” on Sunday to highlight how smart cities and smart grids can help people save time and money on utilities.
“In the face of Oman’s urbanisation, digitisation, and industrialisation, utilities are modernising their technology infrastructure,” said Hanan Darwish, Schneider Electric’s Cluster President for the Gulf and Pakistan.
“We are working closely across Oman’s energy spectrum to drive smart grids and smart cities. From driving renewable energy production, to identifying leaking pipes and supporting more energy-efficient smart buildings,” Darwish added.
Internet of things
The Innovation Hub on Wheels showcased 17 Internet of things (IoT) use cases for Schneider Electric’s EcoStruxure architecture and platform, including buildings, transportation, water and waste management, oil and gas, utilities, and data centres. Smart metres, remote terminal units, and advanced distribution management systems can be combined to provide flexible and scalable platforms for smart utilities.
In support of the Oman Vision 2020 transformation agenda, Oman’s utility providers are heavily investing in IoT innovations that can enable smart utilities. Proving the strong market opportunity, TechSci Research predicts the GCC’s smart grids market will triple to US$1.7 billion by 2026.
“As Oman’s population and business sector grows, the government needs to ensure safe, reliable, and efficient utilities,” said Nasser Al Malki, Acting Director General of Knowledge Oasis Muscat. “In partnership with Schneider Electric, we are digitally transforming with IoT solutions that can predict and meet energy demand, and enable people to monitor and optimise their utilities usage in real-time.”
French Ambassador to Oman Renaud Salins said: “French companies are playing a major role in Oman’s nationwide digital transformation and economic development, with more than 500 million euros in bilateral trade. Energy and utilities is a major opportunity for French companies, such as Schneider Electric, to exchange the best practices and support Oman’s utilities modernisation.”
Channel partners are helping utilities providers successfully launch digital transformation projects.
“Smart cities and smart grids can be large and complex projects that need channel partners to tie them into wider digital transformation strategies,” said Hassan Abdwani, CEO of Voltamp Energy, channel partner of Schneider Electric.
“Channel partners have the knowledge and experience to help simplify and accelerate IoT projects, and exchange training with staff to optimise their projects,” added Abdwani.