Beyond Digital Twins: The Power of Virtual Twin Experiences in Nuclear Infrastructure Projects

Digital twins are usually defined as a data-driven computer model that creates a virtual representation of something that is, or will be, in the physical world. Ideas can be developed and tested to see their impacts prior to production of a physical product, and then once they’re in the real world they can be improved by feeding back data into the twin for a cycle of continuous improvement. All of this drives sustainable innovation by eliminating the need for physical prototypes that require natural resources.

At Dassault Systèmes, we consider virtual twin experiences to go further. A virtual twin experience is digitally based, but it also has a lifecycle, includes representations of behaviour and interactions, and has a history of decisions and variants. A virtual twin experience represents a product or system as it exists now, but also how it was designed, tested and manufactured in the past, and how it could be operated and maintained in the future.

When we look at large capital projects, this means having a virtual twin of an entire infrastructure from the planning and design phase, construction, commissioning, operations, through to decommissioning. Having a holistic view of all processes, products, services and usages along with the ability to digitally test new products, facilities and production and operation methods holds tremendous potential to improve the world we live in.

A perfect example of complex and large-scale infrastructure projects are nuclear projects, as they face a unique combination of obstacles: immature designs at project inception, highly interdependent workstreams, space constraints, millions of equipment items, and an extensive stakeholder community from the supply chain through to financial investors and local communities. These factors often lead to delays, escalating costs, and risk to project outcomes.

The UK Government has high expectations of the nuclear sector for the next decade to meet its power decarbonisation targets. While the recent announcements of £16.7 billion for nuclear projects across UK - to build the new Sizewell C nuclear plant and to back the small modular reactors (SMRs) programme - are promising, delivering on these projects on time and on budget remains a challenge.

Since 2018, a strategic partnership was set up between Dassault Systèmes and a major European energy firm in order to address the digital transformation required within Nuclear. The 3DEXPERIENCE platform is being used across the design, build, maintenance, and decommissioning of various power stations globally.

The use of virtual twins for nuclear infrastructure projects has really transformed a sector that was still recently using paper-based documentation, working in silos, and for which digital transformation enabled:

Using 3D models to design, develop and test the project before construction commences

Keeping costs down by updating technical specifications digitally so that they can be embedded in project management from an early stage, and throughout the lifecycle

Allowing project teams to review progress in real time in order to proactively manage risk

Enabling collaboration and consistency for the many different partners working across a project by working with the same data and therefore having a single version of the truth across the project – avoiding duplication of activities and rework

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About Dassault Systèmes

Dassault Systèmes, the 3DExperience company, is a world leader in design, engineering and simulation software. We provide business and people with collaborative virtual environments to imagine sustainable innovation. By creating virtual experience twins of the real world with our 3DExperience platform and applications, our customers push the boundaries of innovation, learning and production. Dassault Systèmes’ 25,000 employees are bringing value to more than 300,000 customers of all sizes, in all industries, in more than 180 countries. For further information: 3ds.com

Smart Infrastructure and Systems Programme activities

techUK champion the role of technology in driving positive outcomes in our built infrastructure; from hitting net zero goals to improving safety. In doing so, we also optimise the commercial and regulatory landscape to ensure innovation in infrastructure can flourish. Visit the programme page here