BimScaler Blog – Just as a healthy heart makes the body work properly, the digital twins performance helps buildings and infrastructure to work well, efficiently, and in a sustainable way.
A high-performing digital twin is one where the virtual model accurately reflects the real-world asset, responds quickly to changes, and predicts future scenarios effectively.
Get ready to find out what makes a digital twin truly top-notch and how it can take your AEC projects to the next level.
What is a Performance Digital Twin?
A performance digital twin is an ongoing stream of data from sensors, building management systems, and other sources that goes into the digital twin.
These digital twins use real-time data and advanced simulation models to copy how physical things behave, so you can keep an eye on them, analyse them and make them better.
Performance digital twins give us insights into how a system works by bringing together data from different sensors and operational sources. This helps us predict when things might go wrong, plan better maintenance and make the whole system more efficient.
In “Performance Oriented Digital Twins for Packet and Optical Networks” by A. Cabellos, C. Janz, and colleagues, the concept is used in network environments, where digital twins predict network performance metrics such as delay, jitter, and loss for both packet and optical networks.
These predictions are really useful for planning, optimising and troubleshooting networks. They also help us test configurations without affecting the actual network.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for Digital Twins
We can see how well digital twins work by looking at different Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
These show us how accurate, efficient and overall impact on operations they are.
Predictive Accuracy
Predictive accuracy is a key performance indicator – basically, it shows how well the digital twin’s simulations and forecasts match what actually happens in the real world.
If you can be sure that your predictions are going to be pretty accurate, you can make reliable decisions about how to run your business.
When it comes to network digital twins, as Cabellos et al. have discussed, accuracy is really important for predicting things like delay, jitter and loss.
For example, in packet networks, accurate prediction models can spot when the network is about to get congested and then optimize routing to prevent packet loss and delays, which makes the network much more reliable and performs better.
Data Integration
Data integration is how the digital twin takes in and processes real-time data from different sources to keep the digital representation of the physical entity up to date and accurate.
Foivos Psarommatis and Gokan May in “A Standardized Approach for Measuring the Performance and Flexibility of Digital Twins” show how important it is to have a solid data infrastructure that can handle lots of data from different sources, including IoT sensors, operational databases, and external data feeds.
If you get your data integration right, your digital twin will keep in step with the physical entity, giving you real-time insights and the flexibility to make changes in response to changing conditions.
Operational Efficiency
Operational efficiency looks at ways to make processes more efficient, like reducing downtime, increasing throughput and using resources better. This is what happens when you use digital twins.
Psarommatis et al. say that digital twins can make manufacturing systems more efficient by spotting bottlenecks, planning maintenance better and improving overall equipment effectiveness (OEE).
In network environments, as Cabellos et al. explain, digital twins help us manage network resources in advance, keep traffic flowing smoothly and reduce the chance of service disruptions.
Cost Reduction
Reducing costs is a big goal for us. We’re looking at savings from predictive maintenance, less physical prototyping, and better-run operations.
Psarommatis et al. talk about how digital twins can cut maintenance costs by spotting when equipment is about to break and scheduling maintenance only when it’s needed, so there’s no unnecessary downtime.
In the telecoms sector, Cabellos et al. show how network digital twins can cut the need for expensive physical testing by accurately simulating network performance and spotting potential issues before they happen.
Adaptability
The ability of a digital twin to adapt to changes in the physical environment quickly and efficiently is what we call adaptability.
This could be anything from configuration updates to unexpected conditions.
So, you’ve got to be able to adapt if you want to keep your digital twin relevant and accurate over time.
Cabellos et al. say it’s crucial to have flexible architectures that let digital twins use new data sources, update simulation models, and adapt to changing network topologies.
Similarly, Psarommatis et al. point out that we need scalable and modular frameworks that can grow and change along with the physical systems they represent.
For a heads-up on the challenges you’ll face, kindly check “Know Your Enemies: A Strategic Approach to Digital Twins Challenges.”
Factors Affecting Digital Twins Performance
The number one thing to think about is the quality of the data. That’s why it’s crucial to have accurate, complete, and up-to-date data to make accurate predictions and recommendations.
Take agriculture, for example. A digital twin of a farm needs precise weather data, soil conditions, and crop health information to work properly.
If we don’t have reliable data, the digital twin won’t give us the right information, which means we won’t make the best decisions.
This means that computational resources are an important part of the picture.
Advanced simulations need a lot of processing power, so having a high-performance computing infrastructure in place is really important.
The research by P. F. Psarommatis et al. shows that we need to make sure we have strong computational capabilities to handle complex models and large data volumes effectively.
If you don’t have the right computing resources, the digital twin can’t do real-time simulations, which means delays and potential inaccuracies.
So, having reliable network connections is key to making sure the data flows smoothly between the physical entity and its digital twin.
Take smart city projects, for instance. The digital twins of the infrastructure components need to be updated all the time to reflect what’s going on in real-time.
If there’s a problem with the connection, the data might not be up to date or complete, which could affect how effective the twin is.
The complexity of the models used in digital twins also has a big impact on how well they perform.
The latest models that use machine learning and AI can help us predict what’s going to happen.
Take Melbourne’s water management systems, for example. They could use sophisticated digital twins to predict and manage water distribution more efficiently, ensuring optimal resource allocation and minimising waste.
And finally, don’t forget about the human factor. You’ve got to have skilled professionals on hand to make sense of the data and make decisions based on what the twin is telling you.
Having the right training and expertise in managing digital twins is a must, especially as these systems become more complex and integrated into various industries.
If the people using digital twins don’t have the right knowledge, they won’t get the most out of them, and they won’t perform as well as they could.
Best Practices for Optimising Digital Twins Performance
If you want to optimize digital twins, you’ve got to invest in a solid data infrastructure.
Having high-quality, real-time data is a big deal, especially in sectors like energy, where advanced sensors and IoT devices provide accurate data for power plant twins, which helps to optimize energy production and distribution.
Another big plus is using advanced analytics. Machine learning and AI help us predict what’s going to happen next, as we’ve seen in Brisbane’s traffic management systems.
AI predicts traffic flow and optimises signal timings, reducing congestion and improving commute times.
If you get IT, operations and the business units working together, you can make sure everyone’s on the same page and get the most out of digital twins.
In construction, working together as architects, engineers and project managers helps to get better results through better planning and using resources more effectively.
Keeping the digital twin up to date with regular updates and maintenance makes sure it stays accurate and relevant.
This means it reflects changes in the physical environment and incorporates new data.
Updating digital twins of supply chains in the retail sector helps to manage inventory levels and forecast demand more accurately.
If you design your digital twin infrastructure to be scalable, you can easily accommodate future growth and increased data complexity.
A scalable architecture means digital twins can adapt to changing business needs and new technology.
For example, a digital twin of a big manufacturing plant should be able to handle more machines and processes as they’re added on.
For an overview of the technology behind digital twins, please refer to “Your Guideline to the Fundamental Power of Digital Twins Technology.”
How to Improves Your Digital Twins Performance
Initiating and supervising digital twin performance can be tricky, especially when you’re dealing with real-time data and sophisticated simulations.
That’s why at BIM Scaler, we offer customized solutions to streamline your digital twins projects.
We’ll make sure that all the data is integrated accurately and that you can manage your digital twins effectively.
So, what does this mean for your business?
The team at BIM Scaler is here to help you develop and implement effective CAD and BIM strategies to make your workflows more efficient and get the most out of digital twins.
The team at BIM Scaler is here for you every step of the way, from the very beginning to the very end of your digital twin journey.
Please feel free to read our BIMScaler BIM/CAD Management Support Service page here for more information about what we can do for you.
We’d absolutely love to welcome you for lunch if you’d like.
Our team is here for you 24/7, so please don’t hesitate to get in touch to arrange a convenient time for a meeting to discuss your requirements.
In Closing
As data integration, analytics, and computing power keep getting better, digital twins will become even more useful in the ongoing digital transformation of your business.
That’s why making continuous improvements in these areas with the BIM Scaler support system will really boost your digital twins performance.
