In this exclusive interview with Onkar Sharma, Harsh Pareek, Regional Sales Director for India and SAARC at Trimble Solutions, shares his insights on the transformative role of digital twin technology in building management. Pareek discusses how digital twins are revolutionizing the way buildings are monitored, managed, and optimized, providing a comprehensive view of their operations. He elaborates on the distinct advantages of digital twins over traditional building management systems, their impact on retrofitting projects, and their contribution to sustainability.
Onkar: How does digital twin function in the context of building management?
Harsh: Digital twin technology in building management is a virtual model of a physical building or environment that integrates data from various sources for a comprehensive, real-time representation. These digital twins integrate real-time data from IoT sensors, historical performance records, and advanced algorithms to comprehensively view a building's operations.
One key function of digital twins is real-time monitoring. Sensors placed throughout the building collect data on various parameters such as temperature, humidity, occupancy, and energy consumption. This data is fed into the digital twin, which then provides an accurate, real-time representation of the buildingโs current state. For instance, if a room's temperature deviates from the set parameters, the digital twin can instantly highlight this anomaly, allowing for immediate corrective action.
Predictive maintenance is another significant benefit. By analysing historical data and current conditions, digital twins can predict when equipment is likely to fail. This predictive capability enables maintenance teams to address issues before they escalate, reducing downtime and extending the lifespan of building systems
Onkar: What distinguishes a digital twin from traditional building management systems? How do digital twins enhance efficiency in retrofitting projects?
Harsh: Digital twins outperform traditional building management systems (BMS) by providing a holistic, real-time virtual representation of physical buildings. In contrast, a BMS primarily focuses on monitoring and controlling individual systems such as HVAC, lighting, and security. This siloed approach can limit the ability to analyse interactions between systems, whereas digital twins enable a more integrated analysis, allowing for better insights and decision-making across the entire building portfolio.
In retrofitting projects, digital twins significantly enhance efficiency by providing predictive insights and real-time monitoring capabilities. They allow facility managers to simulate different scenarios and assess the impact of potential upgrades before implementation. This capability not only helps in identifying inefficiencies but also facilitates predictive maintenance, thereby extending the lifespan of building systems. Furthermore, digital twins can optimize energy usage by analyzing real-time data and suggesting improvements, ultimately leading to cost savings and enhanced occupant comfort.
By integrating disparate systems into a cohesive framework, digital twins transform how buildings are managed and retrofitted, paving the way for smarter, more sustainable environments.
Onkar: Can you provide examples of inefficiencies that digital twins have helped identify and rectify in past projects?
Harsh: Digital twins have a big impact on construction projects. They help find and fix many problems. They spot design mistakes, work slowdowns, and resource issues. By tweaking designs and layouts, builders make sure the final building is stronger and works better. Digital twins also show the whole building process. This points out where work often slows down or gets delayed. They also show where materials, workers, and tools aren't used well. This leads to smoother work and better use of resources.
Digital twins can further make site management better by showing site activities and finding possible dangers and risks. Digital twins also illustrates where buildings use too much energy. They point out areas that waste energy. Fixing buildings with energy-saving systems and making heating and cooling better saves money and helps the environment.
Onkar: In what ways do digital twins contribute to promoting sustainability in buildings? Could you share specific instances where digital twins have enabled the implementation of energy-efficient upgrades?
Harsh: Digital twins make a significant contribution to building sustainability by providing real-time data and advanced analytics for optimizing energy use, reducing waste, and improving overall building performance. Digital twins monitor energy use in real-time by combining data from IoT sensors and BIM models, allowing lighting, and other energy-intensive operations to reduce wasteful consumption. This detailed insight enables building managers to make informed decisions that result in significant energy savings and increased sustainability.
Additionally, digital twins can simulate different scenarios for energy-efficient upgrades, such as optimizing HVAC systems or retrofitting insulation. One notable instance is the implementation of digital twins in European buildings, which has led to substantial energy savings. Most of these buildings were built in 2001 and presented an opportunity for improvements. With the use of modern tech like digital twins and retrofitting, these buildings have achieved significant energy reductions, demonstrating the transformative impact of digital twins on sustainability efforts.
Onkar: What is the typical process for creating a digital twin for an existing building? Are there any specific software or tools that are essential for developing and maintaining digital twins?
Harsh: Creating a digital twin for an existing building is a structured process that uses a variety of technologies to create a virtual representation of the actual project. The first step is to define the digital twin's objectives, which may include increasing operational efficiency, improving energy performance, or supporting maintenance strategies. This leads to the clarity of the entire project.
Subsequently, data collection is also critical, which includes information from BIM, sensors, and Internet of Things (IoT) devices which real-time data on environmental conditions and energy usage, ensuring a thorough understanding of the building's current state. 3D laser scanners, like the Trimble X7, capture detailed 3D data, while photogrammetry software processes images into 3D models. IoT sensors provide Remodeling of existing buildings may be required to integrate new sensors that monitor systems such as lighting and, allow for real-time data acquisition.
Once the data is collected, it's integrated into a Building Information Model (BIM) using tools like Trimbleโs Tekla Structures. Tools like Trimble SketchUp are essential for visualizing and simulating building systems and processes. Once the model is built, real-time data is used to simulate various scenarios, allowing advanced analytics and machine learning to predict performance and identify inefficiencies.
The digital twin is created by combining BIM with real-time data streams through platforms like Trimble Connect. This platform facilitates the integration of BIM data with sensor inputs, creating a dynamic, interactive model. Advanced analytics tools from Trimble analyze patterns and trends, equipping the digital twin with predictive capabilities to optimize building performance and forecast potential issues.
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