Twin2Share

Digital Twins for Energy Optimisation in Energy Communities

The Twin2Share project focuses on designing, prototyping, and scientifically evaluating a new software product for energy communities (ECs). This software can be tailored to meet the specific needs of Renewable Energy Communities (RECs), Citizen Energy Communities (CECs), and Collective Generation Facilities (CGFs), supporting all phases from initiation to operation.The central approach involves the use of Digital Twins (DTs), a concept that has already gained traction in industries such as manufacturing and construction. Within energy communities, this approach aims not only to optimise energy efficiency and costs but also to promote the concept of “Citizen Empowerment.”

To ensure the software is developed and tested under real-world conditions, two pilot communities have been involved: REC Thaur and REC Eben am Achensee, with plans to collaborate with a third community later in the project.

The future.lab at TU Vienna is providing scientific support for the product development in partnership with the Department of Computer Science at the University of Innsbruck. This involves examining the social context of the pilot communities, including their socio-spatial and organisational environments. Throughout various stages of the project, surveys and analyses will be conducted with users and stakeholders.

Based on these findings, criteria and indicators will be developed to evaluate the effectiveness of the planned innovations, identify user groups and stakeholders, and assess their interests and needs. The future.lab, as an innovation lab supported by the Klima- und E, facilitates the transfer of knowledge to social innovations and promotes networking with other projects, cities, and municipalities within the framework of the Mission Klimaneutrale Stadt. Additionally, the innovation lab’s network supports the successful dissemination of knowledge.

Project Consortium:
University of Innsbruck, Department of Computer Science (Project Lead)
Autonoma Energy GmbH     
Innsbruck Municipal Services Corporation (IKB AG)  
Future.lab Research Center TU Wien

Contact

Project team future.lab:
Christian Peer 
christian.peer@tuwien.ac.at

Ruth Höpler
ruth.hoepler@tuwien.ac.at

Livia Sandauer 
livia.sandauer@tuwien.ac.at

This project is funded by BMK and Klima- und Energiefonds within the second call for TIKS – Technologien und Innovationen für die klimaneutrale Stadt. The project duration is 36 months (November 2024 – October 2027).

Header image: Adobe Stock