Digital twins for net zero infrastructure collaboration

The collaboration follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Heriot-Watt University and Schneider Electric UK, acting on behalf of AVEVA Solutions, in early June. 

The agreement will see the organisations focus on opportunities across digital energy systems, smart infrastructure, digital twins, transport decarbonisation and sustainable campus operations. It will also support engagement between industry and academia, including potential student projects, internships, research activity and future funding opportunities. 

The collaboration will draw on Heriot-Watt’s expertise through its Global Research Institute iNetZ+, including work linked to digital energy systems and transport decarbonisation, alongside Schneider Electric’s energy management and automation capabilities and AVEVA’s industrial software and digital twin expertise. 

The deployment will include digital twin-based optimisation, data-driven decarbonisation, and smart energy and transport solutions, supported by simulation tools and industrial automation technologies for research and demonstration environments. 

The partnership builds on existing areas of collaboration between Heriot-Watt and AVEVA, including research into how digital twin technologies can support real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance, forecasting and operational optimisation for electrolysis systems. This comes as policymakers and industry look to flexible electrolyser operations to support renewable energy integration and the development of low-carbon hydrogen. 

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