NEEDS Projects

In December 2017, NEEDS, in joint venture with Gulf Reliance (GR), completed the energy audit for 5,000 CT/VT Meters at Metering Site in Muscat Electricity Distribution Company as Phase 1 of a 20,000 meters Energy Audit.

MEDC’s goal through this project was to audit High Value consumers to identify irregularities in the meters and to reduce distribution energy losses. NEEDS/GR successfully completed the scope of work, providing the Client with a detailed analysis of inspection / meter data covering 6.2 million records and 96 million data parameters. Through the analysis, NEEDS/GR was able to recommend around 3,000 actions to rectify abnormalities that aim to reduce distribution losses across the metering network and support MEDC’s effort in meeting and exceeding annual performance targets.

NEEDS / GR implemented an innovative technical approach that facilitated the systematic inspection, collection, and analysis of millions of meter data records with the highest accuracy levels that resulted in actionable recommendations to the client for immediate implementation and reduction of network losses.

Name of Contract: Energy Audit For CT/VT Meters at Metering Site in Muscat Electricity Distribution Company
Country: Oman
Name of Employer: Muscat Electricity Distribution Company - MEDC
Main Contractor: NEEDS Gulf Reliance
Date of award/completion: October - December 2017

NEEDS provided consultancy services for updating the “Policy Paper for the Electricity Sector”, which was approved by the Lebanese Council of Ministers under COM Decision #1 in June, 2010. The “Policy Paper for the Electricity Sector” constitutes a global framework for the energy sector in Lebanon, including 3 distinct strategic areas with 10 specific initiatives. These were integrated and correlated to cover the sector’s infrastructure, supply/demand, and legal aspects. Its objective was to remedy most of the problems of the energy sector and rescue it from its drastic situation, to a new sustainable, reliable, and efficient delivery of electricity.
In this project, NEEDS provided the necessary study to assess the progress and to update the ten initiatives of the Policy Paper of 2010, for the Ministry of Electricity and Water. NEEDS evaluated the action steps and related projects, with financial implications, taking into consideration the initial goals, the current situation of the initiatives and the progress achieved in each initiative within the constraints that faced the policy execution during the past period.

Name of Contract: Consultancy Services for “Policy Paper for the Electricity Sector of Lebanon” Update
Country: Lebanon
Name of Employer: Ministry of Energy and Water, Lebanon
Main Contractor: NEEDS
Date of award/completion: January 2017 – November 2017

In February 2017, NEEDS finalized the energy audit for a five-story commercial facility in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The building consists of 23 spaces for tenants (offices, car showrooms, other) and approximately 9,000 square-meters of common areas (reception area, staircase, corridors, parking, and others).
The audit aimed at reducing the energy consumption of the facility including lighting, HVAC, water and irrigation systems while keeping the same comfort and service level at the facility. The audit was performed using the latest methodologies, software, technologies, and measurement instruments. As a result, a set of energy conservation measures, were analyzed and recommended. These recommended measures resulted in energy savings of 29% with a payback period of 3.9 years.
This project helped the customer understand the building's energy use, identify opportunities for cost savings, and establish a roadmap for energy efficiency upgrades with minimal risk and optimal returns.

Name of Contract: Energy Audit for Canary Commercial Center
Country: Saudi Arabia
Name of Employer: Canary Center – Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Main Contractor: NEEDS
Date of award/completion: January 2017 – February 2017

In July 2016, NEEDS experts initiated the provision of Energy Audit services and ESCO activities, in a three-floor facility in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, undertaking energy savings and provision of the same level of energy service, at lower cost.
The project aims at reducing the customer energy consumption, keeping the same comfort and service level of the facility, via implementing state-of-the-art technologies and measures. This project will help the customer, after the payback period, to generate cash flow reducing the environment impact.
The energy audit services and analytics will follow NEEDS latest methodology, using special advanced instruments, Software, Information Systems and Technologies, implemented by NEEDS expertise, from energy survey, to applying the most advanced measures, till verifying the savings over financing.
This project will help the customer understand its energy use and consumption, increment its energy and cost savings, and strengthen its knowledge in energy efficiency measures, with minimal risk, for better practices.

The Lebanese Electricity Company had appointed NEEDS as the consultant to provide the Program Management Services for the Distribution Service Provider project. In this project, NEEDS supported the Owner in handling the approval, monitoring, follow-up and coordination process for all of the activities of the Distribution Service Provider project including the Managerial, Technical and Financial activities. NEEDS work was based on a comprehensive business re-engineering, structured information flow and thorough coordination. NEEDS also supported EDL in handling the project complexity in integrating the eleven tracks of the project with emphasis in ensuring the proper engineering and development of the network infrastructure and in smooth incorporation of the digital meters towards a full realization of Smart Grid. The Program Management monitoring and approval processes were strong and flexible to ensure effective and timely work processing within the various EDL organizational structures, mainly Central Division, Studies and Planning, Distribution Services, Statistics and IT Department, Technical Services, OH & UG Cable Division and Distribution Divisions.

Name of Contract: Project Management of the Distribution Service Provider: Program Management Services
Country: Lebanon
Name of Employer: Lebanese Electricity Company (EDL)
Main Contractor: NEEDS
Date of award/completion: April 2012 – April 2016

The aim of this project was to provide major cities with a new, innovative, non-conventional, and reliable source of clean energy to illuminate streets, traffic signals, and advertising boards, among others. The contribution of this project to the world of energy generation was characterized by utilizing the wasted potential energy, produced by moving cars over speed (breaker) bumps, by converting it into kinetic energy and then to electric energy. A prototype was constructed at Basateen Municipality in Aley city to prove this innovative and patented solution for generating clean electricity when vehicles pass over road bumps. Potential direct benefits to cities around the country could be summarized as follows: . Efficient solution for the continuous increase of electricity demand in Lebanon. Immediate injection of additional power which will have great impact on reducing power shutdown. Reliability of power supply to address traffic light problems. Continuous illumination of Beirut streets all night with a positive impact on tourism and security. Elimination of expensive bills for illuminating streets, traffic lights, and advertising boards.

Name of Project:Speed Bumps
Country: MEDA Countries
Project Financer: NEEDS
Year of Implementation: 2011

NEEDS developed and managed the tendering process for the Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) Project. The AMI tender addressed the overall AMI functionalities and components including the system architecture, the AMI hardware, software and database requirements, the communication platforms, the billing system and the Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system. The overall system functionalities allow, among others, intelligent monitoring of consumption to accurately identify network losses, rapid outage detection to minimize customer impact, tamper/fraud detection, and power flow - financial transaction processing balance, providing the tools to locate and manage non-technical losses and improve revenue recovery. The AMI tendering process lead to the selection of a prospective bidder who will be awarded a contract to design and implement the desired AMI solution taking into consideration the potential use of this platform for water and gas metering at a later stage.

Name of Contract: Contract for the preparation of the ToR for Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI), and Supply and Installation of Billing System and Customer Relationship Management System (CRM)
Country: Lebanon
Name of Employer: Lebanese Electricity Company (EDL)
Main Contractor: NEEDS
Date of award/completion: April 2011 – January 2015

The project objective is to provide consultancy and advisory services to the Ministry of Energy and Water (MEW) and to support the Ministry in building its capacity. The project aspect is to support the implementation of the Electricity Policy Paper from services, studies, consultancies, and logistical support. In this project, NEEDS provided the needed human resources and specialized experts and consultants in the various areas of engineering, information systems, managerial, legal, technical, financial, economic, and accounting, among others.

Name of Contract:Contractual Agreement for the Provision of Services, Studies and Consultancy for the Ministry of Energy and Water
Country: Lebanon
Name of Employer: Ministry of Energy and Water (MEW)
Main Contractor: NEEDS
Date of award/completion: October 2010 – November 2017

The Distribution Service Provider project aims at consolidating a number of outsourced tasks at “Electricité Du Liban” (EDL) in a new contractual framework to acquire a number of local operators, the ‘Service Provider’, highly professional and financially strong, able to invest, mobilize, initiate large-scale activities in networks operation and maintenance, design and engineering, network extension, installation of remotely controlled and automated metering, billing and collection services. The project will lead to substantial reduction in capital expenditure and investment, and significant improvement in the efficiency of network operation, maintenance, and services, through the involvement of the private sector in the process, ensuring a breakthrough in customer services, considerable reduction of technical and non-technical losses, and full correlation of energy distributed, billed and collected for EDL debt minimization and elimination. The DSP project will be co-executed with the Monitoring Center (AMI Project), with complete Billing and Customer Relationship Management systems. The operators will be assigned to well-identified areas that could be joined as Lots per operator in line with the current EDL structure. NEEDS handled the project through four major tasks as the initiation phase to prepare EDL’s infrastructure for this new plan. NEEDS services focused on all the required tasks starting from bidders prequalification, to the integration of all relevant materials of the previous project ‘Closing the Financial Gap - Phase II’, to the regional area subdivision, to the issuance of the tendering documents, to the technical and financial evaluation process, and contract awarding.

Name of Contract: Contract for Consultancy and Advisory Services – “Closing the Financial Gap in the Distribution of Electricity – Phase II”
Country: Lebanon
Name of Employer: Ministry of Energy and Water (MEW) and Lebanese Electricity Company (EDL)
Main Contractor: NEEDS
Date of award/completion: Jan 2006- December 2008

The Mini-Grid Distributed Generation project aimed at using wind/solar resources to produce electricity on the village level, to cover the 8-10 hours supply shortage, thus filling the gap that the utility (EDL) is not able to secure, using clean energy supported by a back-up or storage system. A conceptual approach for the feasibility of this project as part of mini-grid distributed generation in renewable energy was prepared. This project considered the assessment of wind/solar technologies for pilot villages. Three site surveys for wind/solar assessment were performed, project potential viability was defined based on measurement and data collection, technical and financial analysis were considered, proposals for wind and solar products with storage were received, and major project engineering framework was completed. The feasibility study considered batteries / diesel generators as back-up energy, and the preliminary design included the electrical connection part between generation and the storage units.
Name of Contract: Mini-Grid Distributed Generation project using renewable energy

Country: Lebanon
Name of Employer: Lebanese Villages
Main Contractor: NEEDS
Date of award/completion: 2009 – 2010

The EU financed project, MED-EMIP, had an overall objective to support the implementation of the Euro-Mediterranean Energy Partnerships on key energy policy and industry issues. NEEDS, as a consortium partner in this project with GTZ Germany (Lead), OME France and Kuhbier Belgium, played a regional key role by providing short term regional expertise and technology transfer, and was involved in the management and control tasks of the project whose scope covers 10 MEDA countries, for a period of 3 years.

Name of Contract: MED-EMIP Project
Country: MEDA Countries
Contract role: Consortium Partner
Prime Contractor: GTZ/ European Consortium Leader
Date of award/completion: January 2008- December 2011

The objective of the project was to provide policy advice and support to the Lebanese Ministry of Energy and Water (MEW) in managing strategic on-going projects. The project aimed at the establishment of the framework of the power sector reform plan in Lebanon and it dealt with critical topics related to IPP, LNG, sector restructuring, proposal evaluation, tariffs, fuel sourcing and others. The topics in the project, where NEEDS had a direct contribution and strong impact, included: Assess Existing and On-going studies to identify material that can support evidence-based policy in the energy sector. Review and analyze proposals for the supply of Liquid Natural Gas to Zahrani Power Plant to provide an objective evaluation of the most suitable supply of LNG as well as proposals for IPP projects. Support MEW in commissioning of studies of least cost expansion, tariffs, fuel sourcing. Evaluate and interpret results of projects. Formulate strategies on power sector management and support MEW in consensus building. Facilitate negotiations of advisory contracts. Support and advice will be provided to the Ministry in completing negotiations based on the analysis provided during the evaluation of the proposals.

Name of Contract:
Management Support Services Contract for Consultancy Services for Strengthening the Capacity of the Ministry of Energy and Water (MOEW) to Implement Power Sector Policy Reforms
Country: Lebanon
Name of Employer: Ministry of Energy and Water (MEW)
Contract-Role: Sub-contractor  Prime Contractor: DECON (Germany)
Date of award/completion: Sep 2007- Sep 2009

The project was concerned with energy efficiency, boosting the use of solar energy in the construction sector, for reducing both the energy supply requirements and the ever-growing impact on the environment of air-conditioning installations. NEEDS played the role of a consortium partner providing the regional management support, IT and technology transfer.

Name of Contract: MED-ENEC Project
Country: MEDA Countries
Name of Employer: European Union
Contract-Role: Consortium Partner  Prime Contractor: European Consortium Leader
Date of award/completion: Jan 2006- December 2008

The project responded to the two main needs in the electricity sector; distribution and customer services. The project focused on the solutions for Collection, Management and Metering (CMM) services; and re-engineering of the distribution services at EDL. During Phase I, the project focused on the re-engineering of the distribution services to propose a structure based on the Asset Owner/Asset Operator Business Model. The goals were to identify a structure that will allow for proper valuation of the enterprises, and will offer the potential for a fair rate of return. Moreover, the project addressed a technical/management alternative that will provide a significant element of the solution to EDL’s revenue shortfall. This project defined a fast track implementation strategy to create a self-financed enterprise metering system with a service contract agreement for billing and collection services for a number of years into the future. During Phase II, the project aimed at assisting EDL through the development of the Bidding Process for assigning a number of service providers for the management and operation of its Distribution network and in implementing a turnkey solution for a system capable of significantly decreasing technical and non- technical energy losses. The entire Lebanese distribution network is divided into two service regions, each to be awarded to a Service Provider. Moreover, the project implemented a turnkey solution for a system capable of providing a financial balance to the consumed energy and the revenue collected by the Utility through implementing an advanced and automated metering system.

Name of Contract: Contract for Consultancy and Advisory Services – “Closing the Financial Gap in the Distribution of Electricity” – Phase I and Phase II
Country: Lebanon
Name of Employer: Ministry of Energy and Water (MEW) and Lebanese Electricity Company (EDL)
Contract-Role: Sub-Contractor  Prime Contractor: CRA International
Date of award/completion: Phase I: December 2005- April 2006 Phase II: October 2006- June 2010

The project studied the market of the MV/LV panels in some countries of the Middle East area, and anticipated the market demand for this equipment till the year 2010. This study supported the decision-makers in determining the required investment, business development, and the implementation plan. The study was completed in Dec 2005. The study was updated again in 2007 to reflect the market and economic situation.

Name of Contract: Factory Feasibility Study
Country: Lebanon - Jordan – Syria
Name of Employer: ITEC
Contract role: Prime Contractor
Date of award/completion: Feb 2005 - Dec 2005

NEEDS played a leading role in introducing the digital utility to Lebanon and the region. Locally, GIS was presented as a solution facilitating management decisions and improving the performance of the distribution network. The project resulted in the development of a complete medium and low voltage network model with all associated technical and management attributes. Integration between the network model and the customer information system (meter buildings) was also achieved.

Name of Contract: GISEL DOS Project
Country: Lebanon
Name of Employer: Lebanese Electricity Company (EDL)
Contract-Role: Sub-Contractor Prime Contractor: Khatib & Alami
Date of award/completion: 2003- July 2004

NEEDS completed a detailed feasibility study for TADCO Farm to build a 70 MW power plant and complete distribution network for replacing the 250 stand-alone diesel generators serving individual loads. The study recommended a BOT (Build/Operate/Transfer) model over 15 years to develop the project with advanced water and electricity distribution management systems integrated with the agricultural business of TADCO farm. NEEDS was expected to be the project developer and manager.

Name of Contract: Energy Providers
Country: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Name of Employer: Tabouk Agriculture Development Company (TADCO)
Contract Role: Prime Contractor
Date of award/completion: Oct 2003- Jan 2004

NEEDS provided engineering services for the MIC project, through direct contribution to the design process by upgrading the power rating and redundancy of the network, and working on verifying, cross-checking and approving detailed drawings of the system.

Name of Contract: Engineering Support and Technical Advice (MIC Project)
Country: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Name of Employer: Military Industries Corporation
Contract-Role: Sub-Contractor Prime Contractor: SIEMENS,PTD
Date of award/completion: Dec 2002- Feb 2004

The project is a comprehensive study revealing the optimal network configurations to supply energy to new customers and buildings. Advanced software tools linked to the Geographic Information System software were developed for mapping and locating buildings (customer) and the whole electric network.

Name of Contract: GISEL Operation and Maintenance Project (GISELOM)
Country: Lebanon
Name of Employer: Lebanese Electricity Company (EDL)
Contract-Role: Sub-Contractor Prime Contractor: Khatib & Alami
Date of award/completion: 2002- 2003

NEEDS staff worked on the preparation of a tender document related to the Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) systems on the medium voltage level. Moreover, NEEDS prepared a tender document for an integrated AMR/GIS project. The tender document calls for a system that addresses the utility’s need for centralizing and geographically mapping its services to its electricity and water customers.

Name of Contract: Integrated Automatic Meter Reading / Geographic Information System
Country: Kuwait
Name of Employer: Kharafi Group
Contract-Role: Sub-Contractor Prime Contractor: Khatib & Alami
Date of award/completion: Jan 2002 - July 2003

NEEDS implemented a turn-key energy-saving project for the Giant store tailoring a strategic plan for significant decrease in the client’s electricity bill. The project started by identifying energy consumption areas and assessed energy saving opportunities prior to the development of the energy saving solution. Comprehensive analysis of the Giant Store energy use data depicted the measures to achieve overall system efficiency, define scope for a complete design, and present cost/savings analysis using state of the art technical and economical tools and software. NEEDS managed the overall contracting electrical and mechanical works required for the project.

Name of Contract: Tailored Energy Saving Solution
Country: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Name of Employer: Giant Store Khobar, Saudi Arabia
Contract-Role: Prime Contractor Prime Contractor: Al-ALWAN Contracting and Maintenance Co. Ltd
Date of award/completion: Mar 1999- Mar 2002

NEEDS developed a comprehensive feasibility study and business plan to establish an Energy Services Company in Saudi Arabia. On the basis of complete analysis of the power sector problems and challenges in Saudi Arabia, NEEDS proposed a detailed plan of business activities required to initiate the energy efficiency for large-scale industries. The plan also developed the platform for immediate intervention in the small-scale energy sales business. As a result, the group was able to reach a turnover of 40 M$ by the year 2004 with a total 120 MW of energy production capacity.

Name of Contract: Engineering and Market Analysis Services (Saudi Energy Service Company)
Country: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Name of Employer: Al-ALWAN Contracting and Maintenance Co. Ltd
Contract Role: Prime Contractor
Date of award/completion: Nov 1999- Mar 2001

NEEDS is provided engineering services for Siemens in its BRCC project. Services included providing consulting, training and troubleshooting of the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems. Moreover, NEEDS responsibilities cover the computer hardware/administration as well as software training, consulting and maintenance for the control center during the post commissioning operation and maintenance period.

Name of Contract: Engineering Services for the Benghazi Regional Control Centre Project (BRCC)
Country: Libya
Name of Employer: General Electric Company of Libya (GECOL)
Contract-Role: Sub-contractor Prime Contractor: SIEMENS
Date of award/completion: Mar 1999- Mar 2002

NEEDS conducted a pre-feasibility study for initiating an IPP 200 MW in the Republic of Moldova. One week of field work was spent at Chisinau for data collection. Meetings were held and site visits were organized to properly accomplish the report.

Name of Contract: Pre-feasibility study for combined cycle power plant
Country: Moldova
Name of Employer: AVRO Ltd - Republic of Moldova
Contract-Role: Prime Contractor
Date of award/completion: Mar 1999 - Feb 2000

NEEDS was selected for the supervision and technical support of laying a 220kV underground cable to the Beirut Central District. The selection was made based on NEEDS' technical qualifications and ability of the proposed team by NEEDS/ESBI to handle the project.

Name of Contract: Supervision of the Supply and Installment of the 220 kV Underground Power Transmission Cables
Country: Lebanon
Name of Employer: Solidere
Contract-Role: Sub-contractor Prime Contractor: ESBI
Date of award/completion: April 1998- Dec 1999

The study evaluated the situation of the Lebanese Electrical Power Sector comparing it to international figures. Based on a comprehensive, technical and financial analysis, the study proposed different restructuring models, applied in developing countries as well as in industrialized ones. The restructuring models were analysed closely to reveal the most appropriate approach in Lebanon taking into consideration all the technical, financial and social factors

Name of Contract:Restructuring of the Lebanese Electric Power Sector
Country: Lebanon
Name of Employer: Robert Bosh Foundation
Contract-Role: Prime Contractor
Date of award/completion: Mar 1998- Oct 1998

NEEDS provided engineering services to design and implement Y2K test plans on CA-ISO Market Applications, using standards adopted by the CA-ISO. The work required learning the applications interfaces and identifying any Y2K discrepancies. The knowledge of NEEDS staff in power applications together with advanced Information Technologies allowed NEEDS to excel in fulfilling its responsibilities. Due to his achievements, CA-ISO selected a NEEDS Engineer to represent them at ABB in Santa Clara, California, during the testing of new applications to be commissioned in the market operations department.

Name of Contract: Y2K Testing for the Market Operations Applications
Country: USA
Name of Employer: California Independent System Operator (CA-ISO)
Contract-Role: Sub-contractor Prime Contractor: Decision Systems International (DSI)
Date of award/completion: Mar 1998 - Jan 2000