Digitaler Zwilling – Digital Twin / Building Tracker – Coupling of building simulation with physical buildings in real time

The aim of the “City of the Future” research project “Digital Twin” was to use a digital twin of an office building and the building services to optimize ongoing operations and reduce energy consumption. For this purpose, the simulation program IDA ICE was further developed in such a way that it reflects the status of the building and the building services in real time. The practical implementation of the concept was done in laboratory tests and finally on an office tower in Vienna, used by OMV.

This digital twin is based on the IDA ICE simulation software, which was previously used primarily for building and system simulation in the planning phase. The possibility of reading measurement data from the building, as well as weather data, into the simulation in real time has been newly developed. In addition, the simulation model can be adapted to the measured values, so that precise real-time information about the condition of the building is continuously available. These can be used, for example, to optimize the control. Due to the real-time simulation, all parameters in the building and system model are available as so-called virtual sensors for optimization. These can be used for more precise control than just the sensors actually installed in the building, reducing energy consumption and improving occupant comfort.

Other applications of the digital twin are, for example, simplified facility management with real-time visualization or the automatic adjustment of the control with regard to changed user behavior as well as a change of room utilisation, for example when offices are converted into meeting rooms or vice versa.