IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v16y2024i21p9275-d1506754.html

Digital Twins for Reducing Energy Consumption in Buildings: A Review

Author

Listed:
  • Buddhika Arsecularatne

    (School of Architecture and Civil Engineering, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia)

  • Navodana Rodrigo

    (School of Architecture and Civil Engineering, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia)

  • Ruidong Chang

    (School of Architecture and Civil Engineering, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia)

Abstract

This research investigates the use of digital twin (DT) technology to improve building energy management and analyse occupant behaviour. DTs perform the function of acting as virtual replicas of physical assets, which facilitates real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance, and data-driven decision-making. Consequently, energy performance and occupant comfort can be enhanced. This study evaluates the efficiency of DTs in optimising energy usage by a mix of a systematic literature review and scientometric analysis of 466 articles from the Scopus database. Among the main obstacles noted are interoperability issues, privacy and data quality difficulties, and the requirement for a more thorough integration of digital and physical interactions. The results highlight the necessity of standardised frameworks to direct DT implementations and suggest areas for further study, especially in the areas of improving cybersecurity and incorporating occupant behaviour into DT models. This research makes practical recommendations for using DT technology to increase energy efficiency and sustainability in the built environment.

Suggested Citation

  • Buddhika Arsecularatne & Navodana Rodrigo & Ruidong Chang, 2024. "Digital Twins for Reducing Energy Consumption in Buildings: A Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(21), pages 1-16, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:21:p:9275-:d:1506754
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/16/21/9275/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/16/21/9275/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Bavithra Karunanidhi & Latha Ramasamy & Albert Alexander Stonier & Charles Raja Sathiasamuel & Zhiwen Chen, 2024. "Development of a Digital Twin Framework for a PV System to Resolve Partial Shading," Mathematical Problems in Engineering, Hindawi, vol. 2024, pages 1-15, February.
    2. Fengyi Han & Fei Du & Shuo Jiao & Kaifang Zou, 2024. "Predictive Analysis of a Building’s Power Consumption Based on Digital Twin Platforms," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(15), pages 1-19, July.
    3. Cui Li & Ping Lu & Weiran Zhu & Han Zhu & Xinmin Zhang, 2023. "Intelligent Monitoring Platform and Application for Building Energy Using Information Based on Digital Twin," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(19), pages 1-13, September.
    4. David Moher & Alessandro Liberati & Jennifer Tetzlaff & Douglas G Altman & The PRISMA Group, 2009. "Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses: The PRISMA Statement," PLOS Medicine, Public Library of Science, vol. 6(7), pages 1-6, July.
    5. Yutong Tang & Fengyu Gao & Chen Wang & Merit M. Huang & Mabao Wu & Heng Li & Zhuo Li, 2023. "Vertical Greenery System (VGS) Renovation for Sustainable Arcade-Housing: Building Energy Efficiency Analysis Based on Digital Twin," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-16, January.
    6. Alessandro Liberati & Douglas G Altman & Jennifer Tetzlaff & Cynthia Mulrow & Peter C Gøtzsche & John P A Ioannidis & Mike Clarke & P J Devereaux & Jos Kleijnen & David Moher, 2009. "The PRISMA Statement for Reporting Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses of Studies That Evaluate Health Care Interventions: Explanation and Elaboration," PLOS Medicine, Public Library of Science, vol. 6(7), pages 1-28, July.
    7. Aguilera, José Joaquín & Meesenburg, Wiebke & Markussen, Wiebke Brix & Zühlsdorf, Benjamin & Elmegaard, Brian, 2024. "Real-time monitoring and optimization of a large-scale heat pump prone to fouling - towards a digital twin framework," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 365(C).
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Zhenyu Li & Pan Du & Tiezhi Li, 2025. "Comprehensive Risk Assessment of Smart Energy Information Security: An Enhanced MCDM-Based Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(8), pages 1-22, April.
    2. Ahmed Mohammed Abdelalim & Ahmed Essawy & Alaa Sherif & Mohamed Salem & Manal Al-Adwani & Mohammad Sadeq Abdullah, 2025. "Optimizing Facilities Management Through Artificial Intelligence and Digital Twin Technology in Mega-Facilities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(5), pages 1-30, February.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Cocco, Edoardo & Hashimoto, Yuji Z. & Chopin, Julien, 2025. "Child sexual abuse in the catholic church: A scoping review of characteristics, prevalence, and explanatory factors," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 101(C).
    2. Alessandro Concari & Gerjo Kok & Pim Martens, 2020. "A Systematic Literature Review of Concepts and Factors Related to Pro-Environmental Consumer Behaviour in Relation to Waste Management Through an Interdisciplinary Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(11), pages 1-50, May.
    3. Arjun K Reddy & Jared T Scott & Grayson R Norris & Chip Moore & Jake X Checketts & Griffin K Hughes & Travis Small & Mark M Calder & Brent L Norris, 2023. "Cemented vs Uncemented hemiarthroplasties for femoral neck fractures: An overlapping systematic review and evidence appraisal," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 18(2), pages 1-18, February.
    4. Giuseppe La Torre & Remigio Bova & Rosario Andrea Cocchiara & Cristina Sestili & Anna Tagliaferri & Simona Maggiacomo & Camilla Foschi & William Zomparelli & Maria Vittoria Manai & David Shaholli & Va, 2023. "What Are the Determinants of the Quality of Systematic Reviews in the International Journals of Occupational Medicine? A Methodological Study Review of Published Literature," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(2), pages 1-12, January.
    5. Frank Peinemann & Ulrich Grouven & Nicolaus Kröger & Carmen Bartel & Max H Pittler & Stefan Lange, 2011. "First-Line Matched Related Donor Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Compared to Immunosuppressive Therapy in Acquired Severe Aplastic Anemia," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 6(4), pages 1-16, April.
    6. Jonathan Kingsley & Aisling Bailey & Nooshin Torabi & Pauline Zardo & Suzanne Mavoa & Tonia Gray & Danielle Tracey & Philip Pettitt & Nicholas Zajac & Emily Foenander, 2019. "A Systematic Review Protocol Investigating Community Gardening Impact Measures," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(18), pages 1-12, September.
    7. Yam B. Limbu & A. F. M. Jalal Ahamed, 2023. "What Influences Green Cosmetics Purchase Intention and Behavior? A Systematic Review and Future Research Agenda," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-15, August.
    8. repec:plo:pone00:0189091 is not listed on IDEAS
    9. repec:plo:pone00:0012792 is not listed on IDEAS
    10. S. Rajsic & H. Gothe & H. H. Borba & G. Sroczynski & J. Vujicic & T. Toell & Uwe Siebert, 2019. "Economic burden of stroke: a systematic review on post-stroke care," The European Journal of Health Economics, Springer;Deutsche Gesellschaft für Gesundheitsökonomie (DGGÖ), vol. 20(1), pages 107-134, February.
    11. Sibonokuhle Ndlovu, 2023. "Preparedness and Response to COVID-19 Disruptions and Learning Challenges for Students with Disabilities in South Africa: A Systematic Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-17, January.
    12. Ogali, Oscar Ikechukwu Okoronkwo & Okoro, Emmanuel Emeka & Sanni, Samuel E. & John, Ikechukwu Theophilus & John, Chukwuemeka Benjamin, 2026. "Advancing z-factor prediction in natural gas systems using machine learning: A review of methods, challenges, and role in the global energy transition," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 226(PB).
    13. Abbas Mardani & Dalia Streimikiene & Edmundas Kazimieras Zavadskas & Fausto Cavallaro & Mehrbakhsh Nilashi & Ahmad Jusoh & Habib Zare, 2017. "Application of Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to Solve Environmental Sustainability Problems: A Comprehensive Review and Meta-Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(10), pages 1-65, October.
    14. Luísa Bandeira Lopes & João Albernaz Neves & João Botelho & Vanessa Machado & José João Mendes, 2021. "Regenerative Endodontic Procedures: An Umbrella Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(2), pages 1-17, January.
    15. Gaspar, Rui & Yan, Zheng & Domingos, Samuel, 2019. "Extreme natural and man-made events and human adaptive responses mediated by information and communication technologies' use: A systematic literature review," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 145(C), pages 125-135.
    16. Małgorzata Krzywonos & Zdzisława Romanowska-Duda & Przemysław Seruga & Beata Messyasz & Stanisław Mec, 2023. "The Use of Plants from the Lemnaceae Family for Biofuel Production—A Bibliometric and In-Depth Content Analysis," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(4), pages 1-24, February.
    17. Nicholas A. Kirk & Nicholas A. Cradock-Henry, 2022. "Land Management Change as Adaptation to Climate and Other Stressors: A Systematic Review of Decision Contexts Using Values-Rules-Knowledge," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(6), pages 1-23, May.
    18. Shiqi Lu & Zalik Nuryana & Xiaoyu Ni & Wenbin Xu & Muhammad Nazir Alias, 2025. "A decade of educational robotics: trends and SDG contributions," Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 12(1), pages 1-16, December.
    19. Timothy Noblet & John Marriott & Emma Graham-Clarke & Debra Shirley & Alison Rushton, 2018. "Clinical and cost-effectiveness of non-medical prescribing: A systematic review of randomised controlled trials," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(3), pages 1-15, March.
    20. Abbas Mardani & Mehrbakhsh Nilashi & Jurgita Antucheviciene & Madjid Tavana & Romualdas Bausys & Othman Ibrahim, 2017. "Recent Fuzzy Generalisations of Rough Sets Theory: A Systematic Review and Methodological Critique of the Literature," Complexity, Hindawi, vol. 2017, pages 1-33, October.
    21. Wen-Hsiu Yeh & Ya-Ju Ju & Yu-Ting Liu & Ting-Yi Wang, 2022. "Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis on the Effects of Neurofeedback Training of Theta Activity on Working Memory and Episodic Memory in Healthy Population," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(17), pages 1-14, September.
    22. Gourzoulidis, George & Kourlaba, Georgia & Stafylas, Panagiotis & Giamouzis, Gregory & Parissis, John & Maniadakis, Nikolaos, 2017. "Association between copayment, medication adherence and outcomes in the management of patients with diabetes and heart failure," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 121(4), pages 363-377.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:21:p:9275-:d:1506754. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.