BIPED Podcast: Local Digital Twins for Positive Energy Districts

A key component of energy transition is digital transformation. Next-gen technologies can improve the way in which we plan and execute energy policies to achieve sustainable smart cities.

With tools like digital twins, policy making can become more data-driven and forward-looking, informed by evidence of what is currently happening in different policy domains, and how the situation may change if new measures are implemented. 

But creating digital twins that can adequately support decision making is no easy task. Relevant datasets need to be obtained - often from multiple parties and sources -  to build accurate models. These models and various system components need to be integrated into a coherent ‘whole’ to enable cross-domain simulations. Front-end interfaces must be intuitive and cater to different user profiles.

All in all, building digital twins that are fit for purpose is challenging, but certainly not impossible.

To discuss the benefits of local digital twins, the challenges with their implementation, and how to address them, I’m joined by Arne Schilling of Virtual City Systems and Max Serra of Data Competence Centre for Cities and Regions.