IIC Journal of Innovation 12th Edition | Page 52

Creating Cities of the Future with Digital Twin Technology Figure 2: Itron's "Three Degrees" Mixed Reality Digital Twin Demonstration Rather than a “venue, floor, area” ontology, the general ontological model that describes the relationship between the various elements in a smart city context features a regional hierarchy and draw from state, district and utility service area maps, to name but a few sources. A commercial digital twin platform concept necessarily includes third-party data integrations with geospatial locations of various city infrastructure elements such as streetlights, traffic lights, DERs and fresh and wastewater pumps. The digital twin platform ingests information such as energy consumption, weather information and other sensor information from utility sources as well third-party systems. mixed-reality element to create a powerful community engagement tool. For example, by combining mixed reality and digital twin technology, a citizen can virtually install infrastructure or alter building materials in a simulated environment that mirrors a real neighborhood. Successfully engaging a diverse audience is in great part achieved due to the use of a mixed reality user interface and encouraged engagement or “gamify” consumer incentive programs. This approach enables city leaders to conduct community outreach, education and consensus-building. The persuasive value of show and tell can be realized when city officials are able to bring the digital twin technology to the neighborhoods that will be impacted by the proposed changes. Using these tools, city officials can address both known and hypothetical concerns and resolve potential community objections by using data and technology to demonstrate real outcomes and public benefits. Whether citizens are concerned about new infrastructure, additional taxpayer burden or privacy concerns, the combined use of mixed reality and digital twin technology allows a citizen to virtually experience the While the sheer volume of data may seem overwhelming, a neighborhood-by- neighborhood approach to modeling and deploying a digital twin concept serves to reduce the complexity and reinforces a hyperlocal approach to neighborhood goals and data-driven results. Another benefit of using a digital twin approach in the context of a smart city is the ability to combine the platform with a IIC Journal of Innovation - 47 -