Digital twin driven energy-aware green design

Energy consumption (EC) is a key factor in green design of products, which systematically considers environmental impacts and comprehensive benefits. However, as there is no physical entity in the design phase, it is difficult to obtain EC data in product life cycle and thus hard to make accurate design decisions. In view of this problem, this chapter introduces digital twin (DT) to green design and proposes an energy-aware DT model to emphasize EC digital thread, EC behaviors of physical and virtual entities, and discusses the way DT could promote green design for energy saving. Furthermore, the related applications of green material selection design, green disassembly design, and supply chain design driven by DT are discussed. The applied prospect of DT will enhance continuous innovation and EC optimization in product upgrade.