Integrating all project information in a comprehensive system as described in the ANS Digital Twins article is long overdue!
I agree with benefits of Digital Twins stated in the article. It seems probable that over a lifecycle, the benefits of implementing the system would outweigh the costs. Several organizations at DOE sites where I worked could greatly benefit from such integrated systems. For example, cognizant engineers need information from multiple departments for:
Annual equipment and system health reports
Planning modifications and upgrades
Supporting maintenance and fulfilling other obligations.
Typically planning, engineering, procurement, QA, operations and maintenance records are in separate servers and the files are not compatible. Each organization's server is accessed separately in time consuming steps. Due to limited resources and competing priorities it is difficult to obtain necessary information. As a result, omissions occur, resulting in inefficiencies... and sometimes costly problems with rework.
New projects are a clear choice for a Digital Twins. Existing facilities and equipment would be more difficult to move into a new system. Efficient ways to make existing files compatible would be needed.
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Jerry Golden
Member
Carlsbad Local Section
Carlsbad NM
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