Designing a Conceptual Digital Twin Architecture for High-Temperature Heat Upgrade Systems

Industrial processes often rely on high-temperature heat, traditionally generated through the combustion of fossil fuels. However, a significant shift towards renewable and sustainable heat sources is underway, supported by environmental policies and actions such as the European Green Deal. These re...

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Main Authors: Alexandru Matei, Alex Butean, Constantin-Bala Zamfirescu, José Daniel Marcos
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-02-01
Series:Applied Sciences
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/5/2350
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author Alexandru Matei
Alex Butean
Constantin-Bala Zamfirescu
José Daniel Marcos
author_facet Alexandru Matei
Alex Butean
Constantin-Bala Zamfirescu
José Daniel Marcos
author_sort Alexandru Matei
collection DOAJ
description Industrial processes often rely on high-temperature heat, traditionally generated through the combustion of fossil fuels. However, a significant shift towards renewable and sustainable heat sources is underway, supported by environmental policies and actions such as the European Green Deal. These renewable energy systems are complex and characterized by a high degree of interdependencies between various parameters. Optimizing and orchestrating these processes for efficient heat delivery requires careful consideration of factors such as temperature levels, flow rates, and energy demands. Traditional methods often struggle to handle the complexity of these systems, hindering efforts to maximize efficiency and minimize energy waste. This paper addresses these challenges by proposing a modular digital twin framework tailored for high-temperature heat upgrade systems. By integrating with the physical heat upgrade system, the digital twin can create a dynamic and continuously updated representation of its behavior, while also providing additional advantages such as improved process simulation, predictive capabilities, enhanced design, and system integration. Using the SUSHEAT project as a case study, this work advances digital twin methodologies by introducing an architecture applicable in the early product lifecycle phases, addressing a gap in current research.
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spelling doaj-art-7bc3cb38e0104ce8a3deb41992cb07d72025-08-20T02:04:34ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172025-02-01155235010.3390/app15052350Designing a Conceptual Digital Twin Architecture for High-Temperature Heat Upgrade SystemsAlexandru Matei0Alex Butean1Constantin-Bala Zamfirescu2José Daniel Marcos3Wiz Development and Services, 4 Samuel Von Brukenthal, 550178 Sibiu, RomaniaWiz Development and Services, 4 Samuel Von Brukenthal, 550178 Sibiu, RomaniaComputer Science and Electrical Engineering Department, Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu, Bulevardul Victoriei, 10, 550024 Sibiu, RomaniaDepartment of Energy Engineering, Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNED), C/Juan del Rosal 12, 28040 Madrid, SpainIndustrial processes often rely on high-temperature heat, traditionally generated through the combustion of fossil fuels. However, a significant shift towards renewable and sustainable heat sources is underway, supported by environmental policies and actions such as the European Green Deal. These renewable energy systems are complex and characterized by a high degree of interdependencies between various parameters. Optimizing and orchestrating these processes for efficient heat delivery requires careful consideration of factors such as temperature levels, flow rates, and energy demands. Traditional methods often struggle to handle the complexity of these systems, hindering efforts to maximize efficiency and minimize energy waste. This paper addresses these challenges by proposing a modular digital twin framework tailored for high-temperature heat upgrade systems. By integrating with the physical heat upgrade system, the digital twin can create a dynamic and continuously updated representation of its behavior, while also providing additional advantages such as improved process simulation, predictive capabilities, enhanced design, and system integration. Using the SUSHEAT project as a case study, this work advances digital twin methodologies by introducing an architecture applicable in the early product lifecycle phases, addressing a gap in current research.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/5/2350digital twincomplex systemssimulationsrenewable energy
spellingShingle Alexandru Matei
Alex Butean
Constantin-Bala Zamfirescu
José Daniel Marcos
Designing a Conceptual Digital Twin Architecture for High-Temperature Heat Upgrade Systems
Applied Sciences
digital twin
complex systems
simulations
renewable energy
title Designing a Conceptual Digital Twin Architecture for High-Temperature Heat Upgrade Systems
title_full Designing a Conceptual Digital Twin Architecture for High-Temperature Heat Upgrade Systems
title_fullStr Designing a Conceptual Digital Twin Architecture for High-Temperature Heat Upgrade Systems
title_full_unstemmed Designing a Conceptual Digital Twin Architecture for High-Temperature Heat Upgrade Systems
title_short Designing a Conceptual Digital Twin Architecture for High-Temperature Heat Upgrade Systems
title_sort designing a conceptual digital twin architecture for high temperature heat upgrade systems
topic digital twin
complex systems
simulations
renewable energy
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/5/2350
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