Analysis of Digital Twin Applications in Energy Efficiency: A Systematic Review

Labouda Ba, Fatma Tangour, Ikram El Abbassi and Rafik Absi ()
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Labouda Ba: Laboratoire de Recherche en Éco-Innovation Industrielle et Énergétique LR2E, École Supérieure d’Ingénieurs ECAM-EPMI, 95092 Cergy-Pontoise, France
Fatma Tangour: Laboratoire de Recherche en Éco-Innovation Industrielle et Énergétique LR2E, École Supérieure d’Ingénieurs ECAM-EPMI, 95092 Cergy-Pontoise, France
Ikram El Abbassi: Laboratoire de Recherche en Éco-Innovation Industrielle et Énergétique LR2E, École Supérieure d’Ingénieurs ECAM-EPMI, 95092 Cergy-Pontoise, France
Rafik Absi: Laboratoire de Recherche en Éco-Innovation Industrielle et Énergétique LR2E, École Supérieure d’Ingénieurs ECAM-EPMI, 95092 Cergy-Pontoise, France

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 8, 1-34

Abstract: Digital Twin (DT) technology is emerging as a powerful tool for optimizing energy efficiency and industrial sustainability. By creating virtual replicas of physical systems, DTs enable real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance, and resource optimization, offering new opportunities to meet growing energy demands. Despite its potential, the comprehension of DT technology’s applications, benefits, and challenges remains limited. This systematic review explores the role of Digital Twins in energy efficiency across various industries. A structured literature search was conducted in IEEE Xplore, Elsevier, Springer, MDPI, and Google Scholar, following PRISMA 2020 guidelines. After applying the predefined inclusion criteria, 50 studies were selected for in-depth analysis. The findings highlight that DT implementation can lead to energy savings of up to 30%, reduce operational costs, and improve predictive maintenance strategies. Their impact is particularly notable in smart buildings, manufacturing, and industrial processes, where real-time data analytics contribute to better energy management. However, significant barriers remain, including high implementation costs, data security risks, and the complexity of integrating DTs with existing infrastructures. By synthesizing the current research, this review underscores the transformative potential of Digital Twins while identifying key challenges that need to be addressed for their wider adoption. Future efforts should focus on developing standardized methodologies, reducing implementation costs, and enhancing cybersecurity measures to maximize their benefits in energy efficiency and sustainability.

Keywords: Digital Twin; energy efficiency; predictive maintenance; Industry 4.0; smart buildings; sustainability (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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