BimScaler Blog – We’re seeing digital twins and sustainability become more relevant in recent years, as environmental concerns grow and the need for sustainable practices becomes more urgent.
It’s becoming the norm for construction and infrastructure companies to look for new ways to reduce their impact on the environment.
So, let’s take a look at how digital twins technology can help us make projects more sustainable from start to finish, from design and construction to operation and maintenance.
How does Digital Twin Technology Relate to Sustainability?
Digital twin technology is all tied in with sustainability efforts, mainly because it can provide lots of data and insights that help us use resources more efficiently and have a smaller impact on the environment.
The IPWEA’s “Digital twins to drive planning and sustainability,” report lots of people are using digital twins to model the impact of environmental changes, human interventions, and various other factors on physical assets.
This helps us make informed decisions that enhance sustainability by optimising energy use, reducing waste, and improving overall operational efficiency.
Take urban planning, for instance. Digital twins can show us what happens when traffic and human movement are involved, which helps city planners design more efficient and sustainable urban environments.
Similarly, in manufacturing, digital twins can keep an eye on production lines to spot inefficiencies and areas for improvement, which helps reduce waste and conserve resources.
For a full rundown of the pros and cons, kindly read “Double Trouble or Double the Fun? The Digital Twin Dilemma Catch.”
The Role of Digital Twins in Sustainability
Energy Efficiency
These virtual models help us to identify inefficiencies and optimize energy use by providing detailed insights into energy consumption patterns.
The IPWEA report says that digital twins can keep an eye on heating, cooling and lighting systems in buildings in real time, so that facility managers can make data-driven adjustments that reduce energy consumption and costs.
This capability is in line with global sustainability goals, like those set out in the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which stress the importance of energy efficiency in sustainable development.
Waste Reduction
The World Economic Forum’s report, “Why manufacturers should use digital twins for sustainability not just productivity,” looks at how digital twins create virtual replicas of production processes, letting manufacturers monitor and analyse each step.
This real-time data helps manufacturers spot and fix inefficiencies, which cuts down on waste.
For instance, by running different production scenarios, manufacturers can make their processes more efficient and reduce waste.
Predictive Maintenance
Another area where digital twins help us be more sustainable is predictive maintenance.
By keeping an eye on how equipment is doing and how well it’s performing, digital twins can tell us when maintenance is needed, so we can avoid any unexpected breakdowns and make sure our assets last longer.
This proactive approach helps to reduce the environmental impact of replacing and repairing equipment too often.
The IPWEA report gives the example of the Australian Army’s digital twin project, which is looking to identify areas for investment and improve maintenance schedules, with the aim of making military assets more sustainable.
Sustainable Design
Digital twins help architects and engineers to design more sustainably by letting them test out and assess the environmental impact of their designs before construction.
This includes checking how sustainable the materials, energy systems and structural designs are.
With digital twins, designers can see how different design choices affect a building’s energy efficiency and environmental footprint.
For instance, the Virtual Singapore project, which uses digital twin technology, helps with sustainable development by providing information for urban planning decisions and assessing environmental impacts.
Industry Applications
In construction, digital twins help us use materials and energy more efficiently, which means less waste and better sustainability for our projects.
For instance, by creating virtual models of buildings, project managers can test out different scenarios to see what works best in terms of efficiency and sustainability.
In construction, digital twins help us use materials and energy more efficiently, which in turn reduces waste and improves sustainability.
For example, by creating virtual models of buildings, project managers can test out different scenarios to find the most efficient and sustainable methods.
Digital twins are also a big help in urban planning. Cities use these virtual models to manage and make the most of urban infrastructure, which helps them to be more sustainable in terms of transportation, water management, and energy distribution.
The IPWEA report on Virtual Singapore shows how digital twins can use real-time data, like traffic and human movement, to plan efficient evacuation routes and manage resources effectively.
For an insight how digital twins in asset management, please refer to “Your Assets, But Virtual: The Scene of Digital Twins for Asset Management.”
What are the Limitations of Digital Twins?
This technology can be expensive and tricky to set up, so it’ll cost you a pretty penny to get it up and running. You’ll need to splash out on software, hardware and skilled staff to make it happen.
These upfront costs can be a hurdle, especially for smaller companies that might not have the necessary resources.
Also, how effective a digital twin is depends on the quality and completeness of the data it gets.
If the data is wrong or missing, it can lead to bad decisions and results, which is the opposite of what this technology is supposed to do.
For instance, if a digital twin used in urban planning doesn’t get up-to-date traffic data, the simulations and optimisations it performs might not reflect real-world conditions accurately, which could lead to ineffective planning solutions.
Another challenge is integrating it with existing systems.
Some older or less advanced infrastructures might not be compatible with digital twin technology unless they get a lot of upgrades.
This can be a real problem in sectors like manufacturing, where integrating digital twins into established processes can disrupt operations and require additional investment in training and adaptation.
These limitations show that we need to plan carefully and make strategic investments when we adopt digital twin technology.
How to Get a Support System for Digital Twins Project with Sustainability Concern
Yes, in fact, getting started with digital twins for sustainability initiatives can be a bit of a challenge.
On top of that, the details of data collection, model creation, and continuous updates require expertise and a solid system to make sure everything goes well.
But that’s not a good reason not to start using digital twins right now. Our lovely earth is getting hotter.
That’s why, we at BIM Scaler offer a team of experienced professionals who really know their stuff when it comes to digital twins and how they can help with sustainability.
They can help you create accurate digital models, integrate data from different sources, and develop a customized strategy to make the most of digital twins for your specific sustainability goals.
For further details on how BIM Scaler can assist with your digital twins requirements, please refer to our CAD/BIM management services.
Should you wish to do so, you are also welcome to book a lunch meeting with us. We are available 24/7 to discuss your specific needs.
In Closing
As tech keeps on developing, it’ll become more relevant for businesses and cities to use digital twins in their efforts to improve the environment.
Working with experts like BIM Scaler can be a great way to get the support and expertise you need to make the most of digital twins and sustainability.
