Trial / Demo
When it comes to changing practices and adopting new technologies, the construction industry lags behind and is slow to adapt. McKinsey ranked construction as one of the least-digitised industries, above only agriculture and hunting. However, advanced technology and the digitisation of the industry will be a key tool in reaching zero-carbon, particularly in the form of Digital Twins.
Industry 4.0 builds the foundation for tomorrow’s smart assets and smart cities. Also called the fourth industrial revolution, it is arguably one of the most evolutionary eras in manufacturing. It centres on the cyber-physical connection, and the exchange and automation of data. This digital transformation moves physical assets from static structures into connected ecosystems. Within construction, technology like Big Data, Internet of Things (IoT), Building Information Modelling (BIM) and physics-based performance simulation (DSM) are already improving the way buildings are designed, built, operated and maintained. And this is just the beginning.
Using IoT networks and sensors, smart assets collect data from their surroundings so that they can adapt to their environment and adjust their operational performance accordingly. Not only does this increase the efficiency, sustainability and security of buildings and infrastructures, but it also transforms facilities management.
These Digital Twins, create the framework for smart cities, where assets, buildings and infrastructures can not only communicate with each other, but also with an interconnected network of work, travel and living spaces. In this vision, buildings become an active element within the energy landscape, consuming as well as producing.
Digital Twins bring an understanding of the physics that dictate real-world conditions (such as energy flows, environmental conditions, and material attributes).
They evolve over the asset’s lifetime using machine learning and AI on operational data to identify patterns in use, identify where building or network operation does not match expectation and start to ask why? They can also be used to plan what changes and steps are needed for climate mitigation and resilience strategies.
Digital Twins present a real opportunity in the Built Environment to realise zero-carbon goals, and promote sustainable, healthier buildings and communities. The path to a decentralised, decarbonised and digitalised energy landscape requires a transition to low-carbon energy systems, integration of renewables, and storage solutions, and data analytics to anticipate demand and empower users.
But where do you get started? A Digital Twin can be as simple or as complex as you need it to be. At IES, we firmly believe that they should not just be about creating glossy 3D visualisations. They need to align to key objectives, with a focus on identifying quick returns and locking initial data collection and modelling to such objectives before looking at the longer-term potential. We’ve helped a diverse range of organisations use the capabilities of digital twin technology to improve their energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Read more here.
This industry viewpoint is an extract from Edie’s recent ‘Mission Possible: Achieving Net-Zero in Construction’ insight report, published 11 December 2019. Download your free copy of the full report at: https://www.edie.net/downloads/net-zero-construction-report/432
