Digital Twin Models with ESG Methodology as a Tool for the Transformation of Cities in the Area of Transport and Energy

The progress of transport technology and the transition from fossil to renewable energy sources have also changed the way of managing the transport system and wider infrastructure. This is most visible in cities due to their rapid growth. Cities are rapidly digitizing in leading new technologies and services to citizens in a new way. Also, the EU requires the implementation of a sustainability strategy according to a distinct set of ESG (environmental, social, governmental) criteria. All these development processes and demands on cities, but also more broadly on business and industrial factors, open a series of challenges that need to be analyzed according to scientifically accepted methodologies. This paper comprehensively investigates and provides information and analyzes and indicates a possible way to solve new challenges on the way to digitalization of city systems, especially in the field of transport, energy, and common infrastructure. According to current knowledge, scientists are trying to respond to such new challenges through virtual mathematical models in which expert knowledge is integrated, all with the goal of more successful predictive management. Such mathematical models appear under the common name “digital twins”. Digital twins are becoming an indispensable tool for creating enhanced virtual models of real-world applications, systems, and objects, especially for AI-driven systems. With the accelerated technological development in the field of transport and energy, the issues of accompanying technological investments with ESG (environmental, social, governance) methodology have also opened. The application of digital twin technology with integrated ESG requirements opens new opportunities in decision support during the implementation of new transport and energy systems with an ecological background. This paper analyzes the possibilities of applying such new virtual models in the fields of transport and energy.