What is a Digital Twin?

At Babcock, we take pride in how effectively we manage some of the nation’s most complex assets, and most recently, we’ve been concentrating on innovative new ways to transform how complex assets are build and supported. With the birth of the digital twin, we have developed a way to bring all the asset’s relevant information together into a data representation of a physical entity. Look out for more on digital twinning and the benefits this latest innovation brings for Babcock and our customers.

Digital, and Data and Analytics is a core element of Babcock’s focus on embedding technological innovation in our business.

Group Head of Data and Analytics, Steve Penver, explains how this concept and technology is being deployed in Babcock’s operations: “The digital twin process was scoped around Aviation’s firefighting drone, the LUA, with support from Cranfield University. This digital twin approach is the the start of a really important journey for Babcock. There are a number of digital twin programmes across Babcock that are contributing to the development of a common approach and best practice which was highlighted at DSEI, such as LUA, 4.5 inch gun and the iSupport programme.

“After looking across the business we began working with the Aviation Sector to create a twin around the LUA, which has a critical role in the firefighting operations in southern Spain. When you think about the benefits a digital twin can create, it makes sense to create a common framework that can eventually be adopted by the wider business.”

What is a digital twin?

A digital twin is a data representation of a physical entity, such as an asset, a process or system. The ‘twin’ represents the asset in its design, configuration, attributes, characteristics and status within the context of its operating environment over time.

How is the data analysed?

The data can be analysed to provide insight into the performance and behaviours of the asset, predict and model future outcomes to optimise use and inform decision making about the entity.

What are the benefits of the digital twin?

The twin can be used to assess predictive maintenance which can result in increased availability; better resource planning, resulting in improved utilisation and lower costs and automated decision making which can increase efficiency.