How Do Digital Twins Integrate with Existing Infrastructure?

How do digital twins integrate with existing infrastructure

BIMScaler Blog – As Australia’s infrastructure faces increasing demands, the use of digital twins has taken off. But how do digital twins integrate with existing infrastructure and what’s the best way to make this work?

Digital twins link up with existing infrastructure by creating a live, real-time digital copy of physical systems.

By combining IoT sensors, cloud computing, and advanced data analytics, digital twins make it possible to keep an eye on and simulate these systems all the time.

The key to getting it right is to take a step-by-step approach, make sure the data can be used together, and use cloud-based solutions to manage all the data that’s generated in real time.

Right, let’s look at the strategies in more detail below.

Strategies for Integrating Digital Twins with Existing Infrastructure

Assessment of current infrastructure

Before we can start using digital twins in our existing infrastructure, we need to do a proper assessment of what we’ve got.

This means taking notes on the condition, age and performance of the existing assets. 

Matthew Callcut and colleagues in “Digital Twins in Civil Infrastructure Systems,” stress the importance of understanding the physical twin before creating its digital counterpart. 

This assessment should also include a list of all the data sources and systems that are already in place, as Pascal Lünnemann and colleagues point out in their paper “Implementing digital twins in existing infrastructures.”

Lünnemann and his co-author say it’s essential to think about “existing infrastructure and processes” when developing digital twins. 

In Australia, where infrastructure is getting older and more under pressure from urbanisation, a good review of the current situation helps to spot weak points and where digital twins could be useful.

All the data from the sensors, along with historical operational info and environmental conditions, is needed to create a baseline.

This kind of assessment helps to reduce risks during the implementation phase and makes sure that the twin accurately reflects the current state of the infrastructure.

Identifying Integration Points and Opportunities

Once we’ve looked at the current infrastructure, the next thing we need to do is find places where we can integrate digital twins.

This means working out where digital twins can be most useful, for example, in improving maintenance, optimising operations or enhancing safety. 

The research by Taofeeq D. Moshood and colleagues in “Infrastructure digital twin technology: A new paradigm for future construction industry,” shows how digital twins can be used in different stages of construction, from design to project delivery.

But, Pascal Lünnemann et al., also say integration should be user-focused, with an eye on things like predictive maintenance and operational efficiency.

Take the Australian energy sector, for example. Grid management and renewable integration are two big issues there, and digital twins can help balance supply and demand to keep the grid stable.

In transport, digital twins can keep an eye on real-time traffic flows to make urban mobility better.

In each case, it’s about finding the right balance between what’s needed operationally and what’s technically feasible.

Data Standardization and Interoperability

As Callcut et al. point out, there’s a need for “common standards” for digital twins to make sure data can be shared and communicated seamlessly between different systems.

Lünnemann et al. say the same thing, and they also stress the importance of “data consistency” and “necessary interfaces” for effective integration.

So, it’s definitely important to make sure all the IT systems for digital twins are aligned across platforms.

This will allow data to flow smoothly between legacy systems and new digital twin models. 

In Australia, this could mean using standardised data formats and protocols to share information between different infrastructure asset owners and operators.

Learn more:How to Implement AI Digital Twins in Australia: 101 Practical Guidelines.”

Phased Implementation Approach

The best way to integrate digital twins with existing infrastructure is often to do it in dribs and drabs.

This means organisations can start small, learn from their experiences, and then gradually build up their digital twin capabilities.

Moshood et al. say you can start using digital twins in the design phase and then gradually extend them to project delivery and beyond.

For instance, you could start by implementing a twin in a single transportation network or water system in an Australian city.

This would serve as a pilot project before expanding to more complex systems like nationwide grids or railways.

This approach helps to cut costs upfront and shows stakeholders the benefits before they commit to larger projects.

Cloud-Based Integration Solutions

Cloud-based integration solutions make it easy to connect digital twins with existing infrastructure.

The cloud is a great place to store, process and analyse all that data generated by digital twins.

Callcut et al. talk about how cloud and edge computing can help make digital twins a reality, while Lünnemann et al. point out how IT systems are key for storing and processing data.

In Australia, cloud-based solutions could let us monitor and analyse infrastructure data from all over the country in real time.

As a company both using and providing cloud-based solutions, we at BIM Scaler can say from experience that it’s the best.

Overcoming Integration Challenges

Yes, we’re facing some real challenges here. Like, how do digital twins integrate with existing infrastructure without getting in the way of what we’re doing now? 

The complexity of legacy systems, the sheer volume of data involved, and the need for interoperability between disparate technologies can seem like a lot to take on.

However, as Lünnemann et al. point out, even with different applications, there’s a surprising amount of similarity in the core functions needed for digital twin integration.

This shows we can make the process more efficient by taking a methodical, standardised approach, even when we’re dealing with the unique complexities of Australia’s ageing infrastructure.

And data standardisation and interoperability are the another big things we need to get right. 

So it’s pretty important to agree on common data standards and make sure there’s smooth communication between the digital and physical worlds.

The research by Callcut et al. backs this up, pointing out that we need to standardise the data and “an agreed-upon definition” of a digital twin to avoid confusion and fragmentation.

Another hurdle is making sure data is secure and people have confidence in it.

With so much data being generated and shared by digital twins, there’s a risk of cyberattacks.

As Callcut et al. point out, “the interconnectedness of DTs (Digital Twins) means a need for data sharing,” which can create vulnerabilities.

To tackle this, we need to have solid cybersecurity measures in place and transparent data governance frameworks to build and maintain trust among stakeholders.

Finally, integrating digital twins with existing infrastructure means changing the way we think and being open to new technologies and ways of working. 

To get past this sticking point, we need strong leadership, to invest in training, and to understand the value of digital twins.

Learn more: “The Digital Twins Advantages & Disadvantages: Guide to Get the Balance.”

How do Digital Twins Integrate with Existing Infrastructure – A Best Practice

With all those challenges and strategies out there, the best practices are more than just technical solutions.

So, first things first, we need to make sure there’s a good fit between what the organisation wants to achieve and what the technology can do. 

Then, we need to get stakeholders involved from the start to define exactly what we’re going to use it for and what we’re expecting from it. 

This means, the IT teams and engineers must work together to guarantee the twin accurately reflects the system’s operational needs.

It’s also worth mentioning that the ability to make data-driven decisions is at the heart of digital twin technology.

So, your organisation needs to focus on collecting, processing, and analysing real-time data from the physical asset. 

Another thing to keep in mind is the phased implementation approach, which is what Moshood et al., suggest. 

So, please start with a few pilot projects and then gradually roll it out more widely.

This means you can adapt to the technology and make the most of it without overwhelming your existing infrastructure.

That’s why it’s so important to encourage a culture of innovation and collaboration.

This means investing in training, making sure everyone knows the benefits of digital twins, and getting all stakeholders on board with the digital transformation journey.

As you can see, there are a lot of steps to take. That’s why using BIM Scaler is a great way to help you make a more straightforward and productive integration process.

BIM Scaler can help you bridge the gap between the physical and digital worlds by leveraging BIM data and expertise.

It facilitates seamless data exchange and enables the creation of comprehensive digital twins.

On top of that, using cloud computing with BIM Scaler lets you make updates in real time and scale up easily, which is important for dealing with the huge amounts of data you get with digital twins.

But here’s the thing: as your project grows, we at BIM Scaler are ready to roll out those cool digital twin features when – and only when – they make the most sense for you.

Predictive maintenance and real-time performance monitoring?

We’ve got you covered, but we’ll introduce them gradually, where they’ll give you the biggest return on your investment.

Ready to see how this all works in the real world? Take a look at what we do on our BIM Management Support page.

Or, even better, let’s grab lunch.

We’ll talk shop – no sales, no pressure – and see how we can make those digital dreams happen, one step at a time.

In Closing

If you use the right approach and tools, you can start a new era where digital twins help make things more efficient, sustainable and resilient.

So, how do digital twins integrate with existing infrastructure? It’s about combining and working together.

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