Digital Twins for Buildings: FAQs

Digital Twins for Buildings: FAQs

Digital twin technology is one of the most exciting technologies to emerge for a generation and it is beginning to become more prevalent in a variety of industries such as manufacturing, automotive, healthcare, retail and construction. Read on to learn about some frequently asked questions around digital twins.

What is a digital twin?

A digital twin is a virtual replica of a physical entity. There are two key features that make up every digital twin.

1. They must be connected to their physical counterpart.
2. This connection must be made through real-time data generated via systems or assets.

What does a digital twin do?

Digital twin technology can be used in a range of scenarios to benefit buildings. One of its key features is that it can replicate real-world processes to collect data enabling us to predict how they will perform in real time.

A digital twin integrates the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence and machine learning to improve business outcomes as well as driving innovation and improving performance.

What can digital twins be used for?

Although digital twins have existed for decades in certain industries, they have become more relevant than ever due to their accessibility and affordability. On its smallest scale, a digital twin can mirror specific materials and reactions while a more ambitious use of a twin could see it monitor the activities of an entire city.

How do digital twins work?

Digital twins link to their physical twins via sensors connected to the systems of assets within it. In the built environment, a fully coordinated 3D digital model is created during the construction process. Once a project is completed, a model is handed over to the building owners or developers – often never to be used again.

Twinview allows building owners and operators to utilise this data by providing real-time analytical insights from connected assets, sensors and systems in an operational building. This can be viewed in a 3D model, on 2D sheets or via a unique reporting dashboard.

Why are digital twins important?

A survey carried out by Gartner found that organisations that implement IoT are already using digital twins (13%) or plan to use it within a year (62%).

Digital twins have the ability to improve a companies’ data-driven decision-making processes. As they are linked to their real-world counterpart, businesses use digital twins to better understand the state of their physical asset, respond to changes, improve operations and add value to the systems.

What are the benefits of digital twins?

The benefits associated with digital twins differ depending on when and where they are used. Below are some of the most common within the built environment.

• Monitor performance and predict maintenance work – Twinview allows building operators to schedule maintenance in accordance with legislation whilst logging all project activity in a golden thread of maintenance data.
• Offer real-time insights into asset performance – In just a few clicks, Twinview can connect real-time IoT data streams to any applicable assets so that you can monitor and optimise asset performance.
• Access all of a building’s data on a dashboard – With Twinview, a user can view their building in 3D whilst picking out what they wish to examine from 2D sheets. These orchestrated relationships provide a greater understanding of your building’s performance inside one easy-to-use area. Users can also learn more around their energy consumption and come up with methods to reduce carbon.
• Detect potential issues before they happen – Twinview allows users to test out various design options as well as replacing broken assets in real time, ensuring that operators can make the correct decisions first time. These steps are crucial in saving time, money and removing the room for human error prior to ordering equipment or assets.
• Remove the inability for true project collaboration – Twinview allows users to upload multiple models within a project, enabling them to view every type from the METSEC model right up until the final, completed building.

Twinview is a browser-based digital twin platform for the property sector connecting building systems’ data to a 3D model viewed on a single dashboard. Twinview is committed to delivering value and making a positive difference to your business. Learn how Twinview can optimise operational performance, reduce carbon, increase productivity and improve space utilisation.