DUKE – Digital Twins

Visual and functional models with digital twins

Digital twin is a virtual version (a twin) of a real device, process, or system that visualizes and simulates the operation or properties of a real object. Information about the object is collected, for example, by various sensors. The digital twin can be used, for example, to determine the production of renewable energy and thereby also to develop business actions and the security and efficiency of systems.

As part of the DUKE project, FrostBit developed the project’s first pilot site, which is the REDU educational heating plant in Rovaniemi’s Jänkätie, the Lapland training center. This digital twin is implemented with the Unity 3D game engine, and in addition to the visual model, it represents functionalities that can also be found in its real-world counterpart.

The UVLP (outdoor water heat pump) implementation is a virtual environment aimed at maintenance service students and those interested in the area. The user can perform outdoor water heat pump safety valve testing, mud strainer cleaning and locate a leak in the environment. The simulation also allows the user to review the use of the maintenance meter in checking the pressures of the outdoor unit of the air heat pump.

The KLH (district heating hybrid) implementation is a virtual environment aimed at property managers (mainly row house and apartment buildings) and building society managers, where the annual heating needs and costs of the building’s district heating and hybrid solutions can be evaluated. In the simulation, you can also view the appearance and possible placement of different hybrid devices and the sub-distribution center.

PROJECT

Digital Twins for Leveraging Renewable Energy

SCHEDULE

1.1.2020 – 31.12.2022

BUDGET

761 732 €

PROJECT MANAGER

Tauno Tepsa

The long-term results of the project will improve the possibilities of using renewable energy sources, the business conditions and competitiveness of energy and building technology companies in Lapland, as well as increase the capacity to meet the requirements of the Energy Efficiency Directive. The results of the project can be used to organize training in the field, as well as to further develop new and innovative solutions in the field.