People presume that digital twins are a construction sector initiative, but they are fundamental to the future of national infrastructure, including in the energy sector.
Digital twins enable manufacturers, asset owners, distribution network operators and more to monitor the energy generation demand, use of, and performance of products in the field. They will provide the feedback loop essential for maintenance, bridge the performance gap and facilitate a genuinely circular economy.
Currently, the manufacturing and built environment sectors are developing digital twins separately using different language and business models, yet many of our challenges, such as net zero, require them to work together.
A new initiative, The Apollo Protocol, aims to encourage collaboration between sectors through practical activities and the creation of use cases for cross sector digital twins, in an open, collaborative process, known as the Apollo Forum, whereby all outcomes are published.
The Forum will be established by practical cross-sector events where manufacturers and asset owners and others can articulate their data needs or technology offerings to map out the beginnings of a unified value chain, exploring solutions and unblocking practical barriers. The work is to be supported through Innovate UK to develop the UK’s capability in Cyber Physical Infrastructure. Events will commence in November 2022.
Patricia Massey, Digital and Technology Manager at BEAMA, explains,
“ The data needs of manufacturers and asset owners across our sectors are hampered by a lack of collaboration and language barriers. The Apollo Forum events the group have planned will enable them to map out those needs, identify technical and other support and ultimately develop valuable cross-sector solutions for the participants. Along the way they will begin to identify how to write The Apollo Protocol, a framework for cross sector communication, but they will achieve it by taking practical steps to solving real life problems.”
Patricia Massey
The Apollo Protocol was featured as part of a panel session on the Main Stage at UK Construction Week earlier this month, which focused on the need to encourage cross-sector collaboration and information sharing.
The Apollo Protocol will be launched at an invitation only live event in London on 25th October at Savoy Place, the IET’s London HQ. If you would like an opportunity to attend this prestigious event in person, please contact Patricia Massey.
