HE. Eng. Essa Bin Hilal Al Kuwari, President of Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation (KAHRAMAA) and Chairman of the Steering Committee of the Smart Grid Center at Texas A & M University at Qatar, presided from 7-9 May 2018 the delegation of KAHRAMAA and the Center to the University of Texas - USA, to discuss cooperation in the field of smart grids and energy efficiency.

The delegation visited the new control center for Smart Grids at Texas A & M University in Houston- Texas, where they were briefed on the most important plants and advanced applications and technologies provided by the new center in the field of smart grids and how to transfer to and implement such technologies in the State of Qatar.

HE Eng. Essa Bin Hilal Al Kuwari participated in the Board meeting of Texas A & M Center for Smart Grids, during which the Center's achievements and future plans were reviewed.

During the same visit, KAHRAMAA President, Vice President of Texas A & M University and Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, signed a Cooperation Agreement between KAHRAMAA and Texas University Engineering Experiment Station to develop a roadmap for Smart Grids in KAHRAMAA to improve the Corporation Smart Grids capabilities and advance its future plans. 

When commenting on the Agreement, the President of KAHRAMAA, HE Eng. Essa bin Hilal Al Kuwari declared "The Agreement between KAHRAMAA and Texas Engineering Experiment Station is an extension of the close collaboration with Texas A & M University at Qatar and its Smart Grid Center, which I have the honor to head. Furthermore, this Agreement aims to optimize KAHRAMAA smart grids capabilities, develop a future road map, open new horizons of bilateral cooperation, exchange of technical expertise and build the capabilities of Qatari engineers in the field of smart grids. He also noted “this Agreement serves Qatar Vision 2030 toward sustainable development and the transition to a Knowledge based economy”.

HE Eng. Essa Bin Hilal Al Kuwari, President of KAHRAMAA, participated as a keynote panelist in the workshop “Smart Grids Big Data” which was held at the University of Texas. He spoke about Qatar’s experience in smart grids, the plans to develop them and the importance of the transition to smart grids in the light of the growing demand for electricity because of the population increase and the overall development that the State of Qatar is witnessing without neglecting at the same time, the need to limit carbon emissions and address climate change.

He emphasized the importance of the cooperation with crucial research centers such as the Smart Grids Center at the University of Texas for continuous improvement on KAHRAMAA network in order to achieve the Corporation ambitious plans in the field of smart grids and keep up with the advanced technologies.

On the other hand, it is worthy mention that the Smart Grid Center at the University of Texas A & M at Qatar is contributing to a number of research projects to develop smart girds in the State of Qatar, notably in the electricity sector since electric energy is considered as the basis of economic and social development. Smart networks work on integrating electric energy and ICT infrastructure to produce more efficient, reliable, clean and safe electricity for the environment. The Center is working hard to become a major reference and player in the field of smart grids in the State of Qatar and the region not only in the electricity sector but also in other fields like communications, information networks and transport.