Digital Twins: Terms & Definitions

Abstract

In IETS Task XVIII Digitalization, Artificial Intelligence and Related Technologies for Energy Efficiency and GHG Emissions Reduction in Industry we are working on identifying technologies that can be applied in industry to increase the energy efficiency and ultimately reduce the emission of greenhouse gases. Subtask 2 of IETS Task XVIII focuses on Methods and Applications of Digital Twins (DT) to promote the application of DTs in industry, in order to improve energy efficiency and reduce GHG emissions. Subtask 2 has the following sub-objectives: - Overview of methods and applications of DTs and their requirements for different industry sectors - Analysis of the potential benefits of these methods, focusing on the impact on energy efficiency and GHG emissions reduction - Creation of an international, interdisciplinary network of research and industry

Digital Twins have the potential to improve industrial energy systems considerably. Not surprisingly, there has been quite a hype around digital twins during the last years. Though, successful implementations of digital twins in industry are rare and the actual return-on-investment is hard to estimate. For this reason, many companies are still hesitant to employ digital twins. As different definitions of DT exist and potential applications are often indistinct, a uniform description and definition for them is required. Within Subtask 2, an overview of this extensive topic is presented in the form of a Glossary. A literature review was conducted and findings from previous work were collected to clarify the terms and definitions around the topic digital twin.

Das Ziel des IEA IETS Task 18, Subtask 2 ist es, ein internationales Netzwerk von Industrie, Technologieanbietern und Forschung zu schaffen, in dem Wissen und neueste Erkenntnisse über digitale Zwillinge für die Erhöhung von Energieeffizienz und die Reduktion von Treibhausgasen in der Industrie ausgetauscht werden. Digitale Zwillinge haben das Potenzial, industrielle Energiesysteme erheblich zu verbessern.

Da es unterschiedliche Definitionen von digitaler Zwillingsbildung gibt und die möglichen Anwendungen oft unklar sind, ist eine einheitliche Beschreibung und Definition erforderlich. In Subtask 2 wurde ein Überblick über dieses umfangreiche Thema in Form eines Glossars gegeben. Zur Klärung der Begriffe und Definitionen rund um das Thema Digitaler Zwilling wurde eine Literaturrecherche durchgeführt und Erkenntnisse aus bisherigen Arbeiten zusammengetragen.