AI-Powered Digital Twin Platform for Energy Audits and Retrofitting

Overview

This project focuses on the development of an AI-powered Digital Twin platform to enhance energy audits and retrofitting for low-income and underserved communities. By integrating multisource data from a GIS database and leveraging AI technologies, the platform aims to provide comprehensive energy audit reviews and actionable insights that support informed retrofitting decisions. The solution is designed to facilitate collaboration between stakeholders and enable efficient management of energy data and building performance metrics.

Objective

The primary goal of this project is to improve energy audits and retrofitting efforts within underserved communities. It seeks to equip stakeholders—including building owners, administrators, and energy auditors—with the tools necessary to perform accurate energy audits, analyze building performance, and identify energy-saving opportunities. The project aims to increase energy efficiency, reduce utility costs, and foster sustainability in buildings that traditionally lack access to modern energy audit technologies.

Project Solution

A web-based portal is being developed as the central interface for managing energy audit data and interacting with building models. The platform integrates data from various APIs, including EnergyPlus, Lamarr.AI, and thermal drone imagery, all stored within a GIS database. This portal allows both admins and users to access and visualize energy consumption data, audit results, and building performance metrics through an intuitive, user-friendly interface. The integration offers clear insights and actionable data to aid in retrofitting decisions and energy efficiency efforts.

Key Components of the Solution include
  • Admin Panel: A secure interface for admins to manage user accounts, view energy audit results, and access integrated data from GIS, EnergyPlus, Lamarr.AI, and drone imagery.
  • User Interface: A web application enabling users to view pre-generated energy audit reports, interact with 3D digital twin models, and track energy savings.
  • AI Chatbot Integration: Provides real-time support for both admins and users, offering guidance on platform usage and interpreting energy audit results.

Main Features of the App

  • Admin Dashboard: Displays key metrics such as user data, energy consumption, and performance stats via charts and graphs.
  • User Account Management: Admins can manage user accounts with the ability to create, update, delete, and search user profiles.
  • Data Integration: Access to energy consumption data, performance analysis, and pre-generated reports stored in the GIS system.
  • Interactive 3D Models: Both users and admins can interact with 3D digital twin models of buildings to visualize energy data and building performance.
  • AI Chatbot: Provides real-time support, assisting with troubleshooting and explaining energy audit results and recommendations.
  • Content Management: Admins can update FAQs, privacy policies, terms, and other relevant content.
  • Notifications System: Admins can send notifications related to reports, updates, and energy-saving tips.
  • Security Features: Secure login, password management, and user access control to protect data.

Tools and Technologies

  • EnergyPlus & Lamarr.AI: Data sources for energy consumption and building performance analysis.
  • GIS Database & Visualization: The backbone for storing and visualizing energy data, building performance metrics, and thermal imagery.
  • 3D Digital Twin Models: Interactive models enabling users and admins to engage with building data in a visual, three-dimensional space.
  • AI Chatbot (GPT-based): A conversational AI model integrated to offer real-time support and guide users through the platform.
  • Web-based Admin Panel: A secure interface for backend access, featuring tools for managing users, viewing data, and analyzing reports.
  • PDF Generation (LLM Reports): Integration of pre-generated PDF reports based on government-required templates and GIS-stored data.

Results

The platform is in its development phase but is already showing promising potential to streamline the energy audit process. It provides actionable insights that can guide retrofitting decisions within underserved communities. By offering easy access to energy data and building performance metrics, the platform empowers stakeholders to make informed decisions, leading to energy savings, cost reductions, and more sustainable building practices.

The integration of AI, GIS data, and 3D digital twin models is creating an intuitive system that simplifies energy audits for both users and administrators. This platform’s ability to manage and visualize complex energy data is expected to increase stakeholder engagement and foster better collaboration between energy auditors, building owners, and administrators.