Digital twin technology From an energy efficiency perspective, a stark contrast between Australia and the US emerges, with each country shaped and influenced by unique approaches to risk, regulation and scalability.
A digital twin is like a virtual replica of a building, linking different data sources to provide clear insights in real time.
They simplify the management of energy efficiency and help better allocate resources and physical assets, making it smarter, faster and more cost-effective when building complex infrastructure such as airports, hospitals and Olympic stadiums. enables high-quality decision-making.
Chiller optimization specialist Exergenics and global software development company Willow are expanding into the U.S. market after honing their expertise and innovation in a domestic environment focused on energy efficiency.
In a special podcast produced by InnovationAus.com in partnership with Verizon, both Australian startups highlight the speed and scale of the US market, which is adopting more punitive regulatory measures and encouraging companies to comply to avoid penalties. are doing.
In contrast, compliance with Australian sustainability standards is more incentive-driven, with regulations providing clear benefits for compliance, as opposed to punitive consequences for non-compliance.
“Any commercial landlord is effectively missing out on 20 percent of their potential market if they don’t have a building at a certain efficiency level,” said Daniel Kalnins, director of new construction at Willow.
“Rather than being a punitive measure, it was more of an incentive to gain access to this market section by reaching a certain level of efficiency.”
The proactive approach taken by Australian companies highlights how a regulatory environment that encourages rather than penalizes the pursuit of sustainability has made Australia fertile ground for energy efficiency innovation.
Conversely, Tim Stewart, co-founder and COO of Exergenics, pointed to a clear initial mistrust and hesitancy among Australian customers when implementing digital twin technology in the construction sector.
“It took time to get our first customers and gain their trust and hire someone,” he said.
Just 18 months ago, Exergenics launched its first commercially proven pilot.
“We are currently in over 50 buildings, so growth in this market is relatively fast.”
Stewart’s experience points to using Australia as a research and development hotbed to test early use cases and pilots before expanding to a larger commercial level in the US.
Exergenics has expanded its customer base to Singapore, New Zealand and Sri Lanka and employs 15 full-time employees to optimize large air conditioning systems in buildings.
Proprietary algorithms analyze historical data from building management systems (or another source such as Willow) to more efficiently control existing equipment.
This reduces energy consumption and provides a return on investment for building owners with an easy modular approach.
Originally an architecture firm, Willow has evolved from architectural design and construction into a company focused on software aimed at adding value to construction project data.
Kalnins said Willow now excels at blending insight, monitoring and foresight on large-scale projects, using digital twins to deliver real-time solutions and predicting issues before they escalate. .
In addition to working on mega-projects such as the Sydney Metro and major critical infrastructure projects, Willow is also collaborating on SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.
In Australia, when it comes to pioneering technologies like digital twins, The industry takes a more conservative approach, especially when safety may be affected.
Meanwhile, U.S. companies are motivated as well as motivated to be first movers in adopting new technologies out of fear of being left behind in the innovation race.
The perceived risk here is to avoid the new rather than embrace it. This paradigm is probably driven by deep pockets and a larger population willing to try new technology.
Both speakers’ experience launching projects both domestically and internationally is a warning to Australian regulators and current construction approaches.
When it comes to digital twins, Kalnins emphasized the need for a simplified, industry-wide approach that focuses on “the fundamentals of turning the dial.”
A more sophisticated, data-centric approach can have a big impact on your projects and improve productivity.
By leveraging accurate and accurate data through digital twin technology, we can provide significant savings to our clients.
Stewart emphasized that SoFi Stadium saved “approximately $60,000 annually in energy cost savings alone from air conditioning.”
This podcast and accompanying article are produced by InnovationAus.com in partnership with Verizon.
Do you know more? Email James Riley.
