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Unlocking the Potential of Digital Twins: Insights from Lucas Cusack

In an engaging webinar, delivered on 26 June 2024, digital twin expert, Lucas Cusack, offered a wealth of insights for those involved in digital construction and asset management. Here are some of the highlights of the insights shared.

What is a digital twin?

A digital twin is a virtual representation of a physical asset or process. They allow for simulation, analysis and the control of assets, which can be especially beneficial when managing built assets remotely.

The fundamental elements that enable a digital twin

There are four fundamental elements required for a digital twin to function. These are:

• Information Management: The backbone of a digital twin is robust information management, particularly detailed asset information models (AIMs).
• Data collection: Performance data from sensors, Building Management Systems (BMS), and other sources is crucial.
• Data harvesting and normalisation: Aggregating and normalising data from various sources ensures consistency and reliability.
• Data modelling and analysis: Creating data models to predict and optimise asset performance is a core function, often enhanced by AI and advanced algorithms.
• Human element: Effective digital twin implementation relies heavily on the involvement of skilled professionals to interpret data and enact solutions.

Practical use cases

The use of digital twins can be demonstrated with a practical example of managing CO2 levels in a building. By monitoring levels and using digital twin technology to anticipate CO2 spikes, air quality systems can proactively manage CO2 levels to create healthier, more productive environments.

Scaling and Integration

A common cause of digital twin projects failing is over-scaling. Not all buildings require comprehensive digital twin solutions. Instead Lucas recommends a phased approach, where only a few high-fidelity models are fully equipped with extensive sensors and analytics, while others use basic, low-fidelity setups to validate interventions.

Case Study: HMP Five Wells

A recent Glider pathfinder project was shared as an example of a successful implementation of a digital twin. Working in collaboration with the Ministry of Justice, Kier and Future Decisions, the digital twin was implemented on a prison block as newly-constructed HMP Five Wells. By integrating additional sensors and using the digital twin approach, the project achieved significant energy savings and carbon footprint reductions. This demonstrates the tangible benefits of applying digital twin technology in a phased, scalable manner.

Making a business case for digital twins

To effectively advocate for digital twin technology, it’s essential to:

• Align with business objectives: Understand and align digital twin initiatives with overarching business goals, such as reducing carbon emissions or optimising maintenance.
• Engage stakeholders: Collaborate with various departments to ensure support and funding for digital twin projects.
• Leverage existing technology: Integrate new solutions with existing systems to maximise efficiency and minimise costs.
• Present a phased approach: Propose a gradual implementation to manage change effectively and demonstrate ROI incrementally.

Intelligence as a Service (IaaS)

Lucas also introduced the concept of Intelligence as a Service, emphasising the importance of not just providing data but actionable insights. Engaging with on-site personnel to contextualise notifications ensures that the intelligence provided leads to real-world improvements.

Discover more

By focusing on the core components, scalable implementation and the integration of human expertise, Lucas provides a comprehensive guide for leveraging digital twins to optimise asset performance and achieve business objectives.

This webinar is now available to watch on demand.