Connected digital twins to deliver UK’s net zero transition

An ecosystem of connected digital twins can enable the UK’s energy transition but requires industry collaboration and trust, DNV reports in a new study.

The study, based on interviews with organisations across the energy sector, highlights that it is only possible for the UK to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 through digitalising and connecting the energy system via smart data-driven systems.

Thus, there would not be one enormous model of every pipe, cable and wind turbine in the UK but rather an ecosystem of connected digital twins of assets, all speaking the same digital language.

But there are barriers, the main one of which emerged is within organisations’ opposition to change.

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Cybersecurity also emerged as a significant concern, with digital twins introducing new attack points that must be protected.

“The UK energy sector stands on the brink of a remarkable transformation, leading us to an unprecedented level of interactivity and interconnectivity,” comments Hari Vamadevan, Senior Vice President, and Regional Director UK & Ireland, Energy Systems at DNV

“Technologies like connected digital twins will underpin this transformation; the question becomes one of how the sector can harness their potential and add new impetus into the UK’s stalling energy transition.”

This question formed the basis of the study, with the finding that the technology was not seen as a barrier to the widespread adoption of connected digital twins but rather their success depends on the complete trust in the technology and the integrity of the data, processes and organisations involved.

It also found that no matter how strong the technology is, implementing a new technology must be human-centric. For example, people must clearly understand the problem their digital twin is trying to solve and for it to be successful must become embedded in daily operations and change the way that they work.

As an example case study, DNV cites the FutureGrid project led by National Gas at DNV’s research and test centre in Cumbria to investigate the role of hydrogen in the future energy system.

Corinna Jones, Head of Innovation at National Gas, says the company sees digital twin technologies as a catalyst in helping to manage the complexities of low-carbon energy sources.

“Today’s gas networks were developed almost exclusively for natural gas. Before introducing hydrogen into the existing national gas system, operators such as us need to understand the impact of the cleaner gas on pipes and assets in order to ensure safe, efficient and cost effective operations. Digital twins are a key technology to help us achieve that understanding,” she explains.

Building trust

Ultimately trust in digital systems is multifaceted, with the recommended way forward lying in gaining experience, sharing insights and having a common framework for development and assurance, states DNV, adding that there was agreement amongst the interviewees on the need for organisations to align both internally and externally.

Digital twins cannot merely be a model with a customised dashboard – they need to embody an organisation’s culture, ethics, and strategy, comments DNV in the report.

Concludes Vamadevan: “At DNV, our belief is that trust is key to fostering digital twin adoption: finding the right balance between openness and security will be enabled by taking direct learnings from the industry, about building frameworks and standards to ensure assets are also inspected, tested, or certified in the digital space, as well as the physical.”