From research by Hanna Molin, Division of Industrial Electrical Engineering and Automation, Lund University.
The Role of Data
The fundamental principle of developing and using Digital Twins is data. However, data alone is insufficient. The progression moves from data through information and knowledge to what is termed "intelligence."
Data originates from sensors, actuators, process equipment, and laboratory testing within water resource recovery facilities (WRRF). Since data sources employ different interfaces and protocols, connectivity mechanisms are necessary. Industrial IoT (IIoT) emerges as pivotal for digitalization, enabling device interconnection and facilitating data collection and analysis.
Key Enablers for Digital Twin Implementation
- Communication platforms and protocols
- IT infrastructure and cybersecurity
- IoT and IIoT systems
- Big data technologies and storage capacity
- Cloud, edge, and fog computing
- Modeling and simulation tools
- Data science and computer science expertise
- Artificial intelligence, machine learning, and deep learning
- Visualization and graphical user interface design
- Transparency and interpretability