Citation: Fernandes, S.V.; João, D.V.;
Cardoso, B.B.; Martins, M.A.I.;
Carvalho, E.G. Digital Twin Concept
Developing on an Electrical
Distribution System—An
Application Case. Energies 2022, 15,
2836. https://doi.org/10.3390/
en15082836
Academic Editor: Pavlos S.
Georgilakis
Received: 3 March 2022
Accepted: 8 April 2022
Published: 13 April 2022
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Article
Digital Twin Concept Developing on an Electrical Distribution
System—An Application Case
Sabryna V. Fernandes
1,
*, Diogo V. João
1,
*, Beatriz B. Cardoso
1
, Marcos A. I. Martins
1
and Edgar G. Carvalho
2
1
Sustainable Energy Center, CERTI Foundation, Florianópolis 88040-970, SC, Brazil; bbc@certi.org.br (B.B.C.);
mlz@certi.org.br (M.A.I.M.)
2
NT&I—Smart Grid Brasil, Enel Distribuição São Paulo, São Paulo 01000-000, SP, Brazil;
edgar.carvalho@enel.com
* Correspondence: svs@certi.org.br (S.V.F.); dvj@certi.org.br (D.V.J.); Tel.: +55-49-99999-3880 (S.V.F.);
+55-48-99690-2941 (D.V.J.)
Abstract:
Through the transformation that the electrical sector has been passing by, improvements in
asset management and the guarantee of sustainable and quality services have become essential aspects
for power companies. Thus, the digitalization of energy utilities presents itself as an important and
crucial process. A concept that involves a variety of innovative trends is the digital twin. It consists
of a 3D virtual replica of existing physical objects and real-time monitoring of certain measures. By
developing a digital twin in the electrical power grid, a virtual replica of the network is obtained
providing network virtual maps, 3D asset models, dynamic and real-time data of grid assets, and IoT
sensing. All these data can feed a platform where AI-based models and advanced field operation
technologies and solutions will be applied. With a Network Digital Twin
©
development, applications
involving on-field activities can be improved through augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR)
to enhance workforce operations. This paper discusses the best practices for the development of a
digital twin for the electrical power sector. These practices were found during the development of
a project carried out by Enel Distribuição São Paulo, applying a living lab concept in the densest
region of Brazil. The results of this paper present 3D images captured with specialized tools, and
how they influence the workforce activities of human interface operation. Furthermore, financial and
operational returns are presented through a cost–benefit analysis for each relevant aspect.
Keywords:
3D asset modeling; asset management; augmented reality; grid digitalization; human
interface; image sensors; network digital twin©; virtual reality; workforce improvement
1. Introduction
This paper is an extension of the work originally presented at the TEMSCON confer-
ence in October 2020, entitled “Virtual and Augmented Reality Applied in Power Electric
Utilities for Human Interface Improvement—A Study Case for Best Practices” [1].
The emerging of new technologies and the arrival of the Fourth Industrial Revolution
have favored the development of intelligent cities concept [
2
] and transformed the electrical
sector on the way [
3
]. Thus, a need for technological development through intelligent
management of assets and distribution network infrastructures surges [
1
–
4
]. In 2002, the
term digital twin (DT) was introduced by Michael Grieves and immediately showed great
innovative potential to be applied in electric power utilities due to the potential such tools
have to bring improvement for the electric power grid operation, by reducing unplanned
interruptions and improving the maintenance process of active network assets [
5
]. Accord-
ing to Gabor et al. [
6
], the DT is a special simulation, built on specialized knowledge and
real data collected to perform a more accurate simulation at different scales of time and
space. One can say that DT is a digital representation that can portray a system, a process,
or a service [
7
]. Thus, it indicates being a good tool for the improvement of labor services
at the human interface (HI) layer of energy utilities.
Energies 2022, 15, 2836. https://doi.org/10.3390/en15082836 https://www.mdpi.com/journal/energies
