Digital twin technology and how to implement building automation

 

You may have recently heard the phrase digital twin technology, but do you know what it means and why it’s relevant to commercial property owners? A digital twin is a virtual version of a building’s systems and processes, and it allows you to gather important data, prevent system downtime, mitigate disruptions and problems and helps your systems run more smoothly overall. It also provides you with detailed analyses that help you identify areas for cost savings and reduced energy usage. 

Digital twin technology in a commercial building would look like this: a large office building that has a handful of different systems. These include lights, power, air conditioning, heating, hot water, and security systems. You can implement a digital version of all of these systems, often combined in a single system, that allows monitoring of all your building’s systems from a single platform. Buildings that implement digital twin technology are often called smart buildings, and many commercial property owners are now taking advantage of the benefits of building automation.

Tips on implementing building automation:

·         To start, identify the goals and objectives for your building. What do you want your building to be like in two years or five years? Do you plan to use it for the same purposes that it’s being used for now, or do you plan to change it in some way? Your objectives will determine what types of digital twin technology are best for you.

·         Identify key stakeholders and keep them closely involved during the entire process. Turning your building into a smart building isn’t a project you should tackle alone, and there will undoubtedly be several people involved in the process from each of the relevant areas: lighting, security, power, heating and AC, and any others. Involving these stakeholders in the automation process will ensure everyone is on the same page, and it will avoid people feeling like they’ve been left behind because they don’t understand the technology. 

·         Focus on the benefits. Not everyone is tech-savvy, and fancy technology will not necessarily impress everyone. If you’re giving presentations on building automation to your stakeholders, or sharing the digital twin concept with staff, focus on the benefits they’ll gain from the process. When people understand how something will benefit them they are more likely to support it. 

·         Keep your IT team closely involved. Your IT team will be a critical part of your building automation project, and you want them on board and in the know from beginning to end. 

Get started with your commercial HVAC contractor 

Smart buildings are growing in popularity as commercial property owners realizes the many benefits. Digital twin technology helps prevent expensive disruptions to your building’s systems, meaning there will be less downtime and staff won’t have to deal with repair technicians interrupting their workday. Building automation also provides you with helpful analyses about systems used in various parts of your building, allowing you to identify areas for cost savings and reduced energy usage. 

For example, if there are no staff members on the 14th floor of your building until two o’clock in the afternoon, you don’t need to have any lights, heating, or air conditioning on this floor until about an hour before any staff turn up.

If you’d like to know more about implementing building automation, or if you have any questions about turning your buildings into smart buildings, please contact Tri-Tech Energy today. Discover why so many commercial properties owners choose us as their trusted commercial HVAC contractor.

 

Original content is posted on https://www.tritechenergy.com/blog/digital-twin-technology-and-how-to-implement-building-automation/