In the heart of Thailand, Chiang Mai University is pioneering a new approach to sustainable facility management, one that could reshape how campuses—and potentially entire cities—monitor and optimize energy use. A recent study, led by Sattaya Manokeaw from the Department of Civil Engineering at Chiang Mai University, introduces a modular digital twin system designed to enhance energy management and operational transparency within a smart campus context. The research, published in the journal *Technologies* (which translates to *Technologies* in English), offers a blueprint for data-driven decision-making that could have significant commercial implications for the energy sector.
The digital twin system, implemented at the Faculty of Engineering, integrates 3D spatial modeling with real-time environmental and energy sensor data, providing a comprehensive, interactive view of the campus’s energy consumption. This integration allows administrators and technicians to monitor energy use across multiple scales—from individual rooms to entire buildings—enabling them to identify inefficiencies and implement targeted improvements.
“Energy management was identified as the top priority among campus stakeholders,” Manokeaw explained. “By providing real-time data and actionable insights, we aim to optimize resource use and reduce the campus’s environmental footprint.”
The development process was meticulously structured into four phases: stakeholder consultation, physical data acquisition and 3D model generation, sensor deployment using IoT technologies, and real-time data integration via Firebase and standardized APIs. The result is a suite of dashboards that support interactive monitoring, offering users intuitive spatial navigation and detailed energy consumption analysis.
Feedback from campus users highlighted the system’s usability and the potential for future enhancements, such as data export capabilities and predictive analytics. The modular and hardware-agnostic architecture of the digital twin system ensures its adaptability, paving the way for future extensions like occupancy tracking, water monitoring, and automated control systems.
The implications of this research extend beyond the confines of Chiang Mai University. As cities around the world strive to become smarter and more sustainable, the digital twin framework offers a replicable and scalable model for data-driven facility management. By enhancing operational transparency and resource optimization, it sets the foundation for broader applications in smart cities and built environment innovation.
“This system not only benefits the campus but also serves as a model for other institutions and urban planners,” Manokeaw noted. “The insights gained from real-time data can drive more informed decisions, ultimately contributing to a more sustainable future.”
As the energy sector continues to evolve, the integration of digital twin technology could revolutionize how energy is managed and optimized. By providing a clear, data-driven view of energy consumption, this innovative system could help reduce costs, improve efficiency, and support sustainability goals—making it a valuable tool for both educational institutions and commercial enterprises alike.