Optimizing Building Energy Systems through BIM-enabled georeferenced Digital Twins

˜The œinternational archives of the photogrammetry, remote sensing and spatial information sciences/International archives of the photogrammetry, remote sensing and spatial information sciences, vol. XLVIII-4/W11-2024, pp. 1–8

Abstract

Abstract. Building energy system management is critical for resource-saving approaches amid climate change-driven energy transitions. This paper presents a digital twin toolchain leveraging modern technologies such as Building Information Modeling (BIM), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Virtual Reality (VR), and Augmented Reality (AR). The toolchain automates the derivation of georeferenced digital twins during Technical Building Equipment (TBE) commissioning. Using a Scan vs. BIM process, discrepancies between as-planned and as-built TBE are identified, allowing automatic updates to the BIM model. Validation methods ensure both physical and functional aspects of the TBE are accurate. VR and AR facilitate off- and on-site commissioning, enabling immersive visualization and live sensor data access. An evaluation in small and large-scale demonstrators shows the toolchain's scalability and efficiency, with promising results in performance and accuracy. Future work aims to integrate more operational data, enhancing the digital twin's capabilities for building energy system management.

Authors 11

1. Christoph Blut Aachen Geodetic Institute Chair for Computing in Civil Engineering and GIS

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Geodetic Institute and Chair for Computing in Civil Engineering & GIS, RWTH Aachen University, Germany

2. Ralf Becker Aachen Geodetic Institute Chair for Computing in Civil Engineering and GIS

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Geodetic Institute and Chair for Computing in Civil Engineering & GIS, RWTH Aachen University, Germany

3. Tristan Kinnen Aachen Geodetic Institute Chair for Computing in Civil Engineering and GIS

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Geodetic Institute and Chair for Computing in Civil Engineering & GIS, RWTH Aachen University, Germany

4. Dominik Schluetter Aachen Institute of Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Building E3D

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute of Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Building E3D, RWTH Aachen University, Germany

5. Christoph Emunds Aachen Institute of Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Building E3D

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute of Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Building E3D, RWTH Aachen University, Germany

6. Jérôme Frisch Aachen Institute of Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Building E3D

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute of Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Building E3D, RWTH Aachen University, Germany

7. Dirk Heidermann
   Affiliation as printed

   TEMA Technologie Marketing AG, Germany

8. Matthias Wenthe
   Affiliation as printed

   IMS – Internet Marketing Services GmbH, Germany

9. Marc Baranski
   Affiliation as printed

   aedifion GmbH, Germany

10. Christoph van Treeck Aachen Institute of Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Building E3D

    RWTH Aachen University

    Affiliation as printed

    Institute of Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Building E3D, RWTH Aachen University, Germany

11. Jörg Blankenbach Aachen Geodetic Institute Chair for Computing in Civil Engineering and GIS

    RWTH Aachen University

    Affiliation as printed

    Geodetic Institute and Chair for Computing in Civil Engineering & GIS, RWTH Aachen University, Germany