Digital Twins: The Key to a Smarter, Greener Energy Future

By Panitarn Chongfuangprinya, Senior Manager, Energy Solutions Lab, R&D Division, Hitachi America, Ltd., and Yanzhu Ye, Senior Manager, Energy Solutions Lab, R&D Division, Hitachi America, Ltd.

The energy grid is the backbone of the modern economy, powering everything from homes and businesses to critical infrastructure. But with the global shift toward renewable energy, grid operators now navigate in uncertain territory. They must juggle the unpredictable nature of renewables, rising energy demands, and aging infrastructure — all while ensuring a reliable and sustainable energy supply.

Historically, grid operators relied on legacy systems like supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems — essentially a "digital skeleton" of the grid. Enter digital twin technology: a cutting-edge solution enabled by leaps in computing power and communication technology that’s helping operators better manage grids while working toward a cleaner, more resilient energy future.

Digital twins are virtual replicas of physical systems that let operators simulate, analyze, and optimize grid performance in real-time. Unlike traditional systems, digital twins pull data from thousands of grid points, delivering deep, real-time insights into system dynamics. Operators can better respond to issues and even predict –– if not prevent –– problems before they occur.

For example, wind and solar energy, while critical for reducing carbon emissions, are inherently intermittent and can destabilize grid operations. In addition, a large number of behind-the-meter rooftop solar panels could further challenge system operations by reversing power flow back to the grid. Digital twins tackle these challenges head-on. By simulating grid behavior in real-time, they enable operators to foresee disruptions like voltage spikes and make fixes before they ripple across the system. So now, the grid isn’t just scrambling to meet the demands of the renewable revolution — it’s leading the change.

Digital twins are also changing how grid assets like transformers and wind turbines get maintained. Traditionally, maintenance was reactive, leading to unexpected downtime and wasted energy. However, digital twins have shifted to a proactive approach powered by real-time insights.

By continuously monitoring asset health through sensor data, digital twins catch issues early. So, if a wind turbine starts showing irregular behavior, the system raises a red flag, enabling timely maintenance that prevents any minor glitches from turning into big, expensive problems.

Proactive maintenance not only extends the lifespan of critical infrastructure but also slashes downtime, lowers repair costs, and minimizes the environmental impact of unnecessary fixes. For utilities, this advance promises a more reliable grid with fewer disruptions. For consumers, it means seamless, uninterrupted service — and a glimpse into the future of smarter energy systems.

Battery energy storage systems are the unsung heroes of balancing supply and demand in an energy grid increasingly powered by renewables. Digital twins take these systems to the next level by analyzing real-time energy production and consumption data, allowing operators to fine-tune when and how stored energy is used.

Imagine energy systems that efficiently store surplus solar power during peak hours, deploying it when demand spikes or renewable generation dips. This strategy cuts reliance on traditional fossil-fuel-based peaking plants, reduces emissions, and ensures a steady, reliable energy supply.

The impact of digital twins doesn’t stop at the grid; it’s also impacting energy-intensive industries like data centers, which are pivotal in the race to achieve global net-zero targets. However, the advent of generative AI (GenAI) has significantly increased the demand for computational power, further intensifying energy consumption in data centers. This unprecedented demand for energy makes optimizing consumption even more critical. Digital twins can help optimize their consumption by dynamically shifting workloads to regions with abundant renewable energy.

For instance, when a region experiences strong winds or sunny skies, operators can reroute workloads, thus reducing dependence on carbon-heavy sources. Digital twins also empower forward-thinking strategies like “spareless remediation,” where teams reallocate resources to minimize the need for energy-intensive backups.

The results are impressive. Simulations reveal that digital twins can increase renewable energy integration in data centers by considerable percentages. By merging technology with sustainability, digital twins are helping industries lead the change toward large-scale decarbonization and a greener future.

The rise of digital twins is intertwined with advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), unlocking new possibilities for energy management. By processing massive datasets, AI-powered twins can uncover patterns, predict equipment failures, and optimize energy distribution in real-time.

For instance, AI can determine the perfect moment to dispatch stored energy or tweak grid operations to seamlessly handle shifts in demand. This fusion of AI and digital twins equips operators with powerful tools to tackle the challenges of renewable energy integration and aging infrastructure.

Hitachi captured data from wind farms operated in India to create digital twin models of the wind farm assets, then analyzed asset performance employing AI techniques. The insights gained from this analysis helped plant operators make more accurate decisions related to remote monitoring and control, predictive maintenance, and optimization actions.

By harnessing the power of AI and digital twins, stakeholders in the renewable energy sector can elevate operational efficiency, minimize downtime, extend asset lifespans, and contribute significantly to the global transition towards sustainable energy sources.

Companies like Hitachi are at the forefront of this revolution, deploying digital twin technology to reimagine the energy grid. By blending advanced modeling with real-time data, Hitachi is enabling utilities to build greener, more resilient energy systems. Their initiatives demonstrate the real-world impact of digital twins, from streamlining grid operations to maximizing renewable energy integration.

Hitachi’s innovative approach offers a scalable blueprint for utilities worldwide, showcasing how digital twins can drive grid modernization and foster collaboration across the energy sector. With tools like these, the vision of a sustainable and reliable energy infrastructure is no longer just a goal—it’s an emerging reality.

The energy grid stands at a pivotal moment, undergoing a profound transformation to meet the twin demands of sustainability and resilience. Digital twins are leading this change, enabling utilities to modernize operations, embrace renewables, and optimize storage systems with unprecedented efficiency.

As this technology continues to advance, the dream of a smarter, cleaner grid is rapidly becoming a reality. Digital twins aren’t just helping the energy sector adapt to change; they’re shaping the future, delivering reliable, low-carbon energy to communities everywhere and paving the way for a sustainable tomorrow.

Interested in learning more about how digital twins can transform your energy operations? Contact us today to explore tailored solutions for a smarter, more sustainable future.


Acknowledgement:
We would like to express our gratitude for the contributions of prior research and expertise in this field, which provided valuable insights that helped shape this article. Special thanks to Chandrasekar Venkatraman from Hitachi America Ltd., Prateek Mittal from Hitachi India Pvt. Ltd., Takumi Kato from Hitachi America Ltd., and Hiroyuki Osaki from Hitachi America Ltd. for their invaluable support.