Abstract
Background: Growing global concerns about environmental sustainability have intensified research efforts aimed at developing net zero buildings - structures designed to achieve a balance between energy consumption and renewable energy production. As the construction and building management sectors face increasing pressure to reduce carbon emissions, innovative technological solutions are essential to enhance energy performance. In this context, digital twin technology has emerged as a promising tool. Digital twins facilitate real-time monitoring, simulation, and predictive analytics, enabling more effective energy management and improved operational efficiency. Despite this potential, the integration of digital twin technology into net zero building practices remains an underexplored area in the literature. Notably, while individual studies have addressed various aspects of digital twin applications, there is a significant gap in the form of a comprehensive systematic review that synthesizes both quantitative and qualitative findings. This study addresses this research gap by integrating a systematic literature review (SLR) with bibliometric and content analyses to provide a unified perspective on the current state of digital twin research in the context of net zero buildings.
Methodology: A systematic literature review was conducted to compile relevant studies from prominent academic databases such as Scopus, Web of Science, and Grey Database. The selection process followed strict inclusion and exclusion criteria to ensure that only studies directly related to the application of digital twin technology in net zero building contexts were considered. Two complementary analytical techniques were employed: First, bibliometric analysis was used to quantitatively examine the prevalence and interrelationship of key terms, including “digital twin,” “net zero,” “energy efficiency,” and “sustainability.” This analysis involved assessing the frequency of these keywords as well as performing a timeline analysis to map the evolution of the research output over time. This temporal mapping provided insights into periods of increased scholarly activity, which appeared to correlate with broader trends in sustainable development and technological innovation. Additionally, citation pattern analysis was conducted to identify influential publications and collaborative networks within the research community. Second, a detailed content analysis was undertaken to qualitatively evaluate the selected literature. This analysis involved an in-depth reading of the studies to extract recurring themes and to assess the methodological approaches used by researchers. The review examined various research designs - from simulation-based experiments to in-depth case studies - highlighting how digital twin technology has been implemented in practice. This qualitative scrutiny not only identified the benefits of digital twins in enhancing building performance but also illuminated persistent challenges such as data integration issues, system interoperability, and the high computational demands required for real-time simulation. Together, these analytical approaches provided a comprehensive understanding of the state-of-the-art in digital twin applications for net zero buildings.
Findings: The integrated analysis revealed several key trends and insights. Over the past decade, there has been a notable increase in the number of publications focusing on digital twin technology within the net zero building arena. This surge in research output indicates a growing academic and practical interest, reflecting the critical role that digital twins play in advancing sustainable building practices. Analysis of keyword usage demonstrated that terms such as “digital twin” and “net zero” have become increasingly prominent, often co-occurring with related terms like “energy efficiency” and “predictive analytics.” The timeline analysis further reinforced these findings by showing distinct periods of heightened research activity, which appear to align with global sustainability initiatives and technological breakthroughs.
In terms of methodological diversity, the literature exhibits a wide range of approaches. Some studies have relied on sophisticated simulation models to validate the capabilities of digital twin systems, while others have employed case study methodologies to illustrate practical applications in real-world settings. Despite this variety, common themes emerged across the studies. Researchers consistently reported that digital twins could significantly enhance building performance through improved monitoring and predictive capabilities. However, these benefits are tempered by technical challenges. For example, the studies frequently highlighted issues related to integrating disparate data sources and achieving system interoperability, which are critical for the seamless operation of digital twin platforms. Moreover, the computational intensity required for real-time data processing was noted as a significant barrier to widespread implementation.
Limitations: Despite its comprehensive approach, this study is not without limitations. One major limitation lies in the inherent constraints of the systematic literature review process. The reliance on specific academic databases such as Scopus, Web of Science, and IEEE Xplore may have resulted in the omission of relevant studies published in less prominent journals or emerging research outlets. Additionally, the use of predefined keywords, while necessary for maintaining focus, may have inadvertently excluded some pertinent studies that employed alternative terminology. The bibliometric analysis, although effective in highlighting trends and interrelations, is limited by the quality and consistency of the metadata provided by the databases. Furthermore, the content analysis relies on the subjective interpretation of themes and challenges by the researchers, which might introduce an element of bias. Finally, while the study identifies significant technical challenges such as data integration and computational demands, it does not provide empirical solutions to these issues, leaving room for further experimental research.
Concluding Remarks: In conclusion, this study provides a state-of-the-art review on understanding the intersection of digital twin technology and net zero buildings by integrating both bibliometric and content analyses. While digital twin technology shows considerable promise for advancing energy efficiency and operational performance, significant challenges remain that must be addressed to fully realise its potential. By mapping the evolution of research and critically assessing current methodologies, this review lays the groundwork for future investigations that can bridge existing gaps and foster the development of more effective and scalable digital twin applications in sustainable building management. The insights provided herein serve as a valuable reference for researchers and practitioners alike, guiding future efforts towards creating energy-efficient, sustainable built environments.
Methodology: A systematic literature review was conducted to compile relevant studies from prominent academic databases such as Scopus, Web of Science, and Grey Database. The selection process followed strict inclusion and exclusion criteria to ensure that only studies directly related to the application of digital twin technology in net zero building contexts were considered. Two complementary analytical techniques were employed: First, bibliometric analysis was used to quantitatively examine the prevalence and interrelationship of key terms, including “digital twin,” “net zero,” “energy efficiency,” and “sustainability.” This analysis involved assessing the frequency of these keywords as well as performing a timeline analysis to map the evolution of the research output over time. This temporal mapping provided insights into periods of increased scholarly activity, which appeared to correlate with broader trends in sustainable development and technological innovation. Additionally, citation pattern analysis was conducted to identify influential publications and collaborative networks within the research community. Second, a detailed content analysis was undertaken to qualitatively evaluate the selected literature. This analysis involved an in-depth reading of the studies to extract recurring themes and to assess the methodological approaches used by researchers. The review examined various research designs - from simulation-based experiments to in-depth case studies - highlighting how digital twin technology has been implemented in practice. This qualitative scrutiny not only identified the benefits of digital twins in enhancing building performance but also illuminated persistent challenges such as data integration issues, system interoperability, and the high computational demands required for real-time simulation. Together, these analytical approaches provided a comprehensive understanding of the state-of-the-art in digital twin applications for net zero buildings.
Findings: The integrated analysis revealed several key trends and insights. Over the past decade, there has been a notable increase in the number of publications focusing on digital twin technology within the net zero building arena. This surge in research output indicates a growing academic and practical interest, reflecting the critical role that digital twins play in advancing sustainable building practices. Analysis of keyword usage demonstrated that terms such as “digital twin” and “net zero” have become increasingly prominent, often co-occurring with related terms like “energy efficiency” and “predictive analytics.” The timeline analysis further reinforced these findings by showing distinct periods of heightened research activity, which appear to align with global sustainability initiatives and technological breakthroughs.
In terms of methodological diversity, the literature exhibits a wide range of approaches. Some studies have relied on sophisticated simulation models to validate the capabilities of digital twin systems, while others have employed case study methodologies to illustrate practical applications in real-world settings. Despite this variety, common themes emerged across the studies. Researchers consistently reported that digital twins could significantly enhance building performance through improved monitoring and predictive capabilities. However, these benefits are tempered by technical challenges. For example, the studies frequently highlighted issues related to integrating disparate data sources and achieving system interoperability, which are critical for the seamless operation of digital twin platforms. Moreover, the computational intensity required for real-time data processing was noted as a significant barrier to widespread implementation.
Limitations: Despite its comprehensive approach, this study is not without limitations. One major limitation lies in the inherent constraints of the systematic literature review process. The reliance on specific academic databases such as Scopus, Web of Science, and IEEE Xplore may have resulted in the omission of relevant studies published in less prominent journals or emerging research outlets. Additionally, the use of predefined keywords, while necessary for maintaining focus, may have inadvertently excluded some pertinent studies that employed alternative terminology. The bibliometric analysis, although effective in highlighting trends and interrelations, is limited by the quality and consistency of the metadata provided by the databases. Furthermore, the content analysis relies on the subjective interpretation of themes and challenges by the researchers, which might introduce an element of bias. Finally, while the study identifies significant technical challenges such as data integration and computational demands, it does not provide empirical solutions to these issues, leaving room for further experimental research.
Concluding Remarks: In conclusion, this study provides a state-of-the-art review on understanding the intersection of digital twin technology and net zero buildings by integrating both bibliometric and content analyses. While digital twin technology shows considerable promise for advancing energy efficiency and operational performance, significant challenges remain that must be addressed to fully realise its potential. By mapping the evolution of research and critically assessing current methodologies, this review lays the groundwork for future investigations that can bridge existing gaps and foster the development of more effective and scalable digital twin applications in sustainable building management. The insights provided herein serve as a valuable reference for researchers and practitioners alike, guiding future efforts towards creating energy-efficient, sustainable built environments.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Publication status | Accepted/In press - 24 Apr 2025 |