It is difficult to imagine any energy sector greenfield project or new-build to get the go-ahead from sponsors without the use of digital twin technology in this day and age, according to a prominent industry expert.
The name of the technology offers a hint about its characteristics. A digital twin is an interactive digital depiction of a physical object or process presented in the digital or virtual context of its environment or operational setting.
Simply put, digital twins simulate real outcomes, structures and situations with the sole purpose of making better-informed decisions based on advanced data analytics and artificial intelligence. And, when it comes to new projects, the technology helps companies try virtually before they buy in to the venture or commission the undertaking, as well as address any design changes or flaws.
According to Simon Bennett, head of research and innovation at industrial software and consulting firm AVEVA, it’s simply indispensable these days. "There are several use cases for digital twins across the industrials complex—heavy industries, mining, food and beverage, consumer packed goods, and more. But one sector where we see incremental moves toward adoption is energy."