WS: Preventing Data Silos in the Circular Economy – Data Spaces and Data Interoperability as Key Factors_Rezapour_Nazeri_24092024

Data is a critical component in advancing the principles of a Circular Economy (CE), serving as the foundation for enabling circular practices and sustainability throughout the value chain. To effectively implement CE application, it is essential to clearly define what CE-Data represents, as this provides the groundwork for consistent and meaningful application. However, merely defining CE-Data is not enough; this data must be represented in a manner that ensures it is reusable, accessible, and interpretable by various stakeholders involved in the circular value chain. Interoperability becomes a key challenge in this context, as diverse systems and participants need to seamlessly exchange and utilize data. One promising solution to this challenge is the use of digital twins, which create virtual representations of physical assets, enabling real-time monitoring and management. The Asset Administration Shell (AAS), widely accepted in Industry 4.0, provides a comprehensive framework for representing CE-Data. By utilizing AAS, data can be structured in a way that enhances its applicability, reusability, and manageability, facilitating the integration of circular principles across industries. This approach not only supports more efficient resource management but also promotes the broader adoption of circular economy practices by making data-driven decisions more actionable and interconnected within the digital landscape. The workshop will begin with a presentation focused on the motivation behind the need to represent CE-Data effectively, as well as exploring potential solutions to this challenge. Following this, a detailed overview of the solution selected will be provided, highlighting its key features and advantages. Participants will then be introduced to a practical example of how data can be represented as a digital twin, demonstrating its application in real-world scenarios. To further enhance understanding, the concept of a data space for ensuring data interoperability will be presented and explained.