Digital twins: A revolution in building performance and maintenance in the EU

This pioneering technology is reshaping the way we look at the design, construction and maintenance of buildings. In this article, we take a closer look at three applications of this smart technology in the EU.

EU digital twins initiative

The European Union has recognised the huge potential of digital twins and launched the Digital Twin of the Built Environment initiative as part of its ambitious Destination Earth (DestinE) project. This far-reaching programme aims to create a digital twin of the entire European built environment. The aim is to facilitate urban planning, improve energy efficiency and increase disaster preparedness at the continental level, in a time of climate change and conflict.

Case study: Port of Rotterdam

One of the most successful examples of digital twin implementation in the EU has been carried out at Europe's largest port, in Rotterdam. The port authority there has developed a comprehensive digital twin of its facilities that integrates data from a network of sensors, IoT devices and historical records. This virtual replica enables real-time monitoring of port operations, predictive maintenance of critical infrastructure and optimised logistics planning.

The results have been impressive. Erwin Rademaker, Programme Manager at the Rotterdam Port Authority, comments: “Our digital twin has resulted in a 20 percent reduction in maintenance costs and a 15 percent improvement in operational efficiency. We can now anticipate and prevent problems before they happen, which significantly reduces downtime and improves safety.”

The port’s digital twin also plays a crucial role in sustainability efforts. By optimising ship movements and berth allocation, the port has reduced waiting times and thus fuel consumption and emissions. The authority estimates that this has contributed to a 10 percent reduction in the port’s overall carbon footprint.

Energy management and the SPHERE project

With regard to building performance, digital twins are proving to be invaluable for energy management. The SPHERE project, which is funded by the EU’s Horizon 2020 programme, has demonstrated the power of digital twins in optimising energy consumption in various types of building.

Dr Maryam Farhangi, Project Coordinator, explains: “By creating digital twins of buildings in Spain, Ireland and Romania, we have been able to simulate different scenarios and analyse real-time data to optimise energy usage. Our pilot buildings have achieved energy savings of up to 30 percent, which demonstrates the huge potential of this technology.”

The SPHERE project's digital twins integrate data from building management systems, IoT sensors and weather forecasts to create a holistic picture of each building’s energy profile. This allows facility managers to make data-driven decisions regarding heating, cooling and lighting systems, which result in significant energy savings and improved comfort for occupants.

Siemens Campus Zug: A pioneer in smart buildings

Siemens’ new head office in Zug, Switzerland, provides further proof of the power of digital twins for smart property management. The 18-storey building uses a sophisticated digital twin to manage its smart systems.

Andreas Urschitz, Senior Manager at Siemens, explains: “Our digital twin integrates data from over 2,000 sensors throughout the building. This allows us to monitor and optimise everything from energy consumption to space usage in real time.”

The results speak for themselves. The head office in Zug has achieved a 10 percent reduction in energy costs and a 30 percent reduction in unplanned maintenance activities. The digital twin enables predictive maintenance and automatically adjusts the property’s many systems based on usage patterns and external conditions.

In addition, the building’s digital twin has improved space utilisation by 15 percent, by providing insights into how the employees use different areas. This has led to more efficient space planning and increased well-being in the workplace.

Data protection and data exchange slow down progress

The benefits of digital twins are clear, but the implementation is not without challenges. Data protection issues, especially relating to the EU’s stringent GDPR rules, require careful management of the large amounts of information that is collected. In addition, the initial cost of creating and maintaining a digital twin can be significant, even though the long-term benefits often outweigh this investment.

Data exchange is another key challenge. This is highlighted by Dr Thomas Liebich, President of buildingSMART International: “To enable digital twins to reach their full potential, we need standardised data formats and protocols. The EU is making progress in this area, but there is still a lot to be done to ensure seamless integration between different systems and platforms.”

New technologies offer even greater opportunities

If we look to the future, the integration of digital twins with other emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence and 5G networks, will lay the basis for even greater opportunities. The EU-funded COGITO project is exploring how AI can improve digital twins for surveillance and safety management on construction sites.

Dr Elena Verykokou, COGITO’s Technical Coordinator, explains: “By combining AI with digital twins, we are developing systems that can automatically detect safety risks on construction sites and optimise workflows in real time. This has the potential to significantly reduce accidents and improve project efficiency.

As we adopt more sustainable and efficient construction methods, digital twins will undoubtedly play a major role. By providing a holistic view of a building’s life cycle, from drawing board to demolition, this technology enables construction professionals to make data-driven decisions that optimise performance, reduce costs and minimise environmental impact.

The journey of digital twins in the EU construction sector has only just begun, but the first results are promising. As ever more organisations start using this technology and the EU continues to support its development, we can expect to see increasingly sophisticated applications that will shape the future of our built environment