Exploring Digital Twins in the Transport and Energy Fields: A Bibliometrics and Literature Review Approach

Milena Kajba, Borut Jereb () and Tina Cvahte Ojsteršek
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Milena Kajba: Faculty of Logistics, University of Maribor, 3000 Celje, Slovenia
Borut Jereb: Faculty of Logistics, University of Maribor, 3000 Celje, Slovenia
Tina Cvahte Ojsteršek: Faculty of Logistics, University of Maribor, 3000 Celje, Slovenia

Energies, 2023, vol. 16, issue 9, 1-23

Abstract: Logistics and transport are major sources of energy consumption that still rely heavily on fossil fuels. Especially in the freight sector, finding means to optimise fuel consumption and energy efficiency are increasingly important. Digital twins’ adaptation in logistics and transport is not as frequent as in production, but their implementation potential is immense. This technology can replicate real environments, allowing verification of various scenarios without real-life application, leading to optimal implementation outcome faster and more efficiently. This paper aims to research digital twins’ use in logistics and transport, focusing on digital twins’ potential and effects to optimise energy consumption. Firstly, previous research on digital twins in specified fields was identified, followed by a quantitative literature review. The latter focused on codifying the selected publications based on criteria such as modality, specific environment, energy consumption, etc. Furthermore, a qualitative overview of 57 relevant publications on digital twins’ use in logistics and transport was made. The main contribution of this paper is the systematic overview of digital twins from the viewpoint of energy optimisation in one of the most energy-dependent sectors. This gives researchers a good starting point for further research and digital twins’ practical implementation cases.

Keywords: logistics; transport; digital twin; energy consumption; optimisation; literature review; bibliometrics (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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