Impact of Digital Twin Technology Utilization in Manufacturing on Sustainability: An Industrial Case Study

Parallel to the advancements in technologies that form the core of Industry 4.0, there is an accelerated use of digital twins in many industries. Digital twin utilization aims at various objectives including but not limited to increasing overall equipment efficiency, minimizing energy consumption, enabling predictive maintenance, process optimization, condition monitoring, and waste minimization. Being one of the essential components in contemporary technology management, digital twins positively impact economic and environmental sustainability. This study briefs the management and development phases of a cognitive digital twin implemented as an H2020 Research and Development project for a steel pipe manufacturing factory. The study also presents literature review results related to the impact of digital twins on sustainability, with a special emphasis on energy consumption. The study explains the experiences and the lessons learned, during the digital twin project. Based on the observed experiences, the authors state that in the use of the digital twin technology, the evidenced benefit of technology is a major reason for the technology utilization. The developed digital twin enabled a 10% decrease in energy consumption of the production line and resulted in a reduction in carbon footprint.