Harnessing the future: Exploring digital twin applications and implications in renewable energy

• Review the application of the digital twin in renewable energy systems. • Analysis of the digital twin integrated with renewable energy context, function, lifecycle, and architecture. • Apply text mining techniques to model the main topics related to papers discussing the digital twin technology in renewable energy systems. • Propose and discuss the research gaps, obstacles, and challenges associated with the applications of digital twin in renewable energy. The extensive use of conventional oil and gas energy resources has significantly impacted the planet, accelerating global warming and climate change. A key solution to this issue is the shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy (RE) sources. However, integrating renewable energy for transportation, power generation, and energy storage presents challenges due to its intermittent nature and reliance on external factors. A digital twin (DT) is an effective way to tackle these challenges. This technology utilizes adaptive models to simulate the real-time performance of physical systems in a digital environment, helping to predict and prevent potential system failures. This paper comprehensively reviews the latest research on the context, applications, lifecycle, functions, and architecture of digital twin technology in renewable energy systems.