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

Abstract

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.