Optimizing Building Performance: A Novel Digital Twin Framework for Enhanced Thermal Comfort

Digital Twin (DT) technology has evolved from a theoretical concept to a practical tool with widespread applications. In the built environment, DT serves as a virtual representation of physical buildings, integrating data from sensors, Building Information Modeling (BIM), and historical performance to monitor, analyze, and optimize building operations. Despite extensive research in this field, gaps remain, particularly in providing quantitative results and integrating DT frameworks with building control systems. Addressing these gaps, this study proposes a novel DT framework designed to optimize building performance. Utilizing BIM, data visualization tools, and a custom Building Energy Model (BEM), the framework offers real-time feedback to control systems, tested in a virtual environment (Simulation In the Loop – SIL) to demonstrate its benefits, particularly in optimizing thermal comfort by providing energy consumption insights. Quantitative analyses highlight the potential of DT technology in enhancing building performance.