Industry and academia launch partnership to advance digital twin technologies for net zero infrastructure

AVEVA, Schneider Electric and Heriot-Watt University have announced a collaborative research initiative to explore how digital twin technologies could accelerate the decarbonisation of energy and transport infrastructure.

image: AVENA

The partnership will investigate the use of virtual replicas of physical assets and systems to improve the design, operation and maintenance of infrastructure supporting the transition to net zero. The project will combine AVEVA's industrial software, Schneider Electric's automation and energy management technologies, and Heriot-Watt University's research expertise in engineering and digital innovation.

According to the partners, the collaboration will focus on digital twin-based optimisation, data-driven decarbonisation and the development of smart energy and transport solutions. Research will be supported by simulation software and industrial automation technologies, with demonstration environments used to evaluate how digital twins can improve infrastructure performance, resilience and sustainability.

Digital twins are increasingly being adopted across industry as virtual models that integrate operational data with simulation tools to monitor assets in real time, test different operating scenarios and support predictive maintenance. The technology is seen as a key enabler of more efficient infrastructure planning and operation by allowing engineers to evaluate changes before they are implemented in the physical world.

The partners said the research will examine applications spanning integrated energy systems, transport infrastructure and industrial facilities, with the aim of identifying approaches that can improve energy efficiency, reduce emissions and support more informed operational decision-making. The project is also expected to provide opportunities for students and researchers to work alongside industry specialists on real-world engineering challenges.