What are the industrial applications of digital twins and IoT? – Intelligent CIO Middle East

As the Middle East continues to diversify its economy and invest in smart technologies, digital twins and the Internet of Things (IoT) are merging to develop digital models for physical assets that increase efficiency and sustainability in key industries in the region, says Talal Shaikh from Heriot-Watt University Dubai.

Rapid technological advancements have transformed industries globally, and the Middle East is no exception. One of the most promising innovations the world has witnessed is the combination of digital twins with the Internet of Things, IoT devices; a combination that has the potential to transform the industrial ecosystem.

As the Middle East continues to diversify its economy and invest in smart technologies, the use of digital twins continues to gain ground in the region. Digital twins and IoT are merging to develop comprehensive digital models for physical assets that drive efficiency, innovation, and sustainability across key sectors in the Middle East.

Digital twins are a virtual copy of something physical, such as a machine or any industrial structure. They use real-time data from IoT devices to create an accurate, dynamic model that reflects the state and behavior of the physical asset. Essentially, this means that organizations can monitor, assess, and optimize their assets without being physically involved.

On the other hand, IoT devices are physical objects equipped with sensors, software and connectivity capabilities that enable them to collect and exchange data.

In industrial environments, these objects are connected to machines or products where they collect information about factors such as temperature, pressure vibrations, and more. These devices provide the critical real-time data that the digital twin needs, influence decision-making processes, and increase operational efficiency through feedback loops.

One of the key benefits of the synergy between digital twins and IoT is predictive maintenance. By using IoT sensors embedded in digital twins, continuous monitoring of equipment conditions can help predict potential machine failures and plan maintenance before they occur.

This not only reduces downtime, but also extends the life of the equipment, resulting in significant cost savings.

Additionally, digital twins enable process optimization by providing a holistic view of operations. Testing different strategies using simulations within a digital twin helps industry players identify the best strategies before implementation, thus avoiding risks associated with operational changes and enabling data-based decisions.

The integration of digital twins and IoT drives innovation through the development of new products and services.

For example, a manufacturer can perform real-life quality tests on the performance of a product under different conditions through virtual technology that shows how the same part will perform, and virtually heat it for better design and development long before it goes into production. This speeds up time to market and also improves final product quality.

Digital twins and IoT are readily used in various sectors like oil and gas, manufacturing, infrastructure, transportation, utilities, healthcare, etc.

Digital transformation and sustainability continue to attract investment in this region, and the application of these technologies is expected to play a role in supporting economic growth and increasing competitiveness.

Talal Shaikh is Associate Professor in the School of Mathematics and Computer Science, Heriot-Watt University.

Oil and gas

Digital twins present an opportunity to increase efficiency and sustainability in the oil and gas industry. They provide a real-time view of many process variables, including the personnel operating the equipment and machinery in the field.

By developing digital twins for oil platforms, refineries, or pipelines, companies can monitor their operations in real time. For example, pipeline pressure anomalies can be detected using IoT sensors, while the digital twin simulates how such anomalies affect the entire system. This allows for quick action to fix any malfunctions, reducing the likelihood of spills and other environmental risks.

Producing

The manufacturing sector in the Middle East is transitioning towards the Industry 4.0 revolution, transforming into smart factories enhanced by the integration between digital twins and IoT. Real-time monitoring combined with optimization provided by digital twins for manufacturing processes and equipment is facilitating higher efficiency in production lines.

By monitoring conditions step by step, understanding equipment performance, and seeing how customers use products, manufacturers use analytics-driven insights to improve quality. Similarly, IoT-connected products help manufacturers build loyalty by offering customers new value-added digital services, thus improving the overall customer experience.

Structure

Digital twins optimize building management by monitoring energy use, structural health, and occupancy in real time. They can identify inefficiencies, monitor building conditions, track energy consumption, predict maintenance needs, and prevent failures.

This approach improves sustainability, safety, and efficiency in building operations. For example, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai is a prime example of one of the city’s smartest buildings. It uses sensors to manage and optimize air quality, lighting, and temperature.

Public transport

Digital twins have transformed transportation systems by monitoring traffic, road conditions, and vehicle performance using real-time sensor data. They enable predictive maintenance and optimize traffic flow by simulating traffic scenarios.

For example, Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority, RTA, has partnered with telecom provider du to increase the efficiency of its public transport network, including the Dubai Metro system, by leveraging digital twins.

Health

The integration of digital twin technology into healthcare is gaining momentum; pioneers in this space include American Hospital Dubai and Aster DM Healthcare.

Aster’s einstAIn platform, which aggregates various types of data in a high-performance hub and uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to create accurate digital twins of patients. This technology is seen as essential for delivering personalized healthcare and addressing the global burden of chronic diseases.

Usefulness

Digital twins use real-time monitoring and advanced analytics to improve the management of public services such as water, electricity and waste. For example, the Abu Dhabi government partnered with AECOM to improve the management of drinking water networks for Al-Raha Beach Development.

Digital twins were able to simulate various degradation factors and measure water quality metrics, ensuring compliance with regional norms. This strategy helped reduce the need for extensive trial runs and reduce capital costs by 30%.

As the Middle East embraces digitalization, the integration of IoT and digital twins is vital to the region’s industrial growth. With the help of digital twins, industries in the region can function more efficiently, innovate, and improve sustainability.

The adoption of digital twins and the Internet of Things in the Middle East is not just a technology wave; it is also a strategic imperative for the region as it seeks to diversify its economy and become a global leader in the digital world.

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