Improving building energy footprint and asset performance using digital twin technology

This article presents a novel architecture by integrating the existing asset management theory with building simulation technology for effective maintenance strategies and operational control schemes. Building performance, value and energy usage collectively define the criteria for optimisation. Building assets are partially or fully connected with building internet of things and their real-time conditions are accessible at all times. An asset’s value is derived from the functional contributions of that asset to the overall business objective of the system that it is part of. The architecture consists of digital twin, analytics and business value mode engines and in-between gateways for data exchange. The paper provides illustrative examples for how the platform can serve the operations and maintenance objectives of existing and new buildings.