Operational Digital Twinning: A Pathway to Flexible Building Autonomy

Digital twins have emerged as a transformative technology, enabling precise design and efficient project management in the built environment during the planning and construction phases. As buildings transition into their operational phase, the nature of collected information changes and the scope of digital twins evolves significantly, shifting towards real-time adaptive decision-making centered on continuous system performance monitoring. This paper introduces the concept of the Operational Digital Twin (ODT), a virtual counterpart to the built environment that emphasizes operational aspects, integrates real-time indoor condition monitoring, stores historical data, and simulates short-term responses to various strategies. By facilitating near-optimal decisions, ODTs enhance energy flexibility and user experience. The paper explores key applications, opportunities, and challenges associated with operational digital twins, providing a comprehensive framework for their implementation and impact.