Quality Assurance of Digital Twins

Abstract

Abstract Digital twins, replicating the physical assets it represents, can significantly improve efficiency in the execution and operational phase. However, building robust and trustworthy digital twins that can be used for critical operational decisions, is a key industrial challenge. As a response to this challenge DNV has developed a recommended practice [1] (DNV-RP-A204) for development and assurance of digital twins. The methodology was developed in close collaboration with TechnipFMC and Aker BP and is currently being used by several leading operators and suppliers. While there are standards and commonly agreed best practices for how to assure components and systems of physical assets there is until now no common agreed standard that a digital twin can be developed, delivered, and operated according to. In the recommended practice DNV propose the following definition of a digital twin: A digital twin is a virtual representation of a system or asset that calculates system states and makes system information available, through integrated models and data, with the purpose of providing decision support over its life cycle. The concept of digital twins was first described by David Gelernter’s 1991 book Mirror Worlds and the term ‘digital twin’ was first coined by John Vickers of NASA in a 2010 roadmap report. The digital twin concept consists of three distinct parts: the asset, the virtual representation, and the connection between the two. The original definitions have been included in the recommended practice, and we further propose to define the level of capability of the digital twin from descriptive, via diagnostic and predictive to fully automated solutions to increase granularity and to be able to clearly define quality assurance requirements. The framework developed by DNV address requirements to the functionality, operations, the digital twin platform including data quality and cyber security aspects, and requirements to the organisation developing and operating a digital twin. For each of these areas clearly defined working and quality assurance processes and requirements has been defined and described. The presentation will share the philosophy and key features of the methodology in DNV-RP-A204 as well as learnings from ongoing projects.