MAIS
TAHA
AEE’s Western Europe Region Energy Innovator 2022
Digital Twins for Nature Conservation
Writing about Digital Twins and Nature Conservation may seem like two irrelevant topics at first. However, when we start talking about materials, the connection becomes clear. First, let’s define “Digital Twins” in the design context: Digital Twins refer to virtual replicas of physical assets, processes, systems, or even humans. Our focus is on the usability of digital twins to identify potential problems before they occur.
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The prevention and simulation that digital twins provide can focus on materials. Using simplified CAFM for furniture procurement can speed up supplier quotations and save up to 30% of the budget without compromising time and quality. With a deeper focus and thoughtfulness regarding the material life cycle, we can reach materials mining phases, which is the very first stage of any physical design creation.
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Raw materials mining impacts natural resources directly, and it can be simulated and monitored using design management technologies. When we encourage digital twinning in mining sites, it will open wide doors for geographical data records, better resources and waste management.Digital twins help in comparing different operations and provide time planning as well as full simulation to activities and energy based on the available data. Having the correct information helps us in making better decisions. We should filter our data to maintain accurate data sources. Then we should measure the impact of design decisions on the environment and our wellbeing.
When we encourage digital twinning in mining sites, it will open wide doors for geographical data records, better resources and waste management
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In the previous BIM magazine article, we highlighted that the most sustainable architecture designs are the vernacular designs. Let's take a shallow LEED assessment for a typical arid region's design:
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Our approach in this certificate stands on three main pillars:
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Accessibility: the certificate can be obtained online in the speed of filing the application.
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Sites provide minimal transportation and almost no need for storage facilities.
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Water adapts to the available amount, no overconsumption.
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Waste is minimal and extra materials can go back to nature.
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Energy will be less than imported materials.
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Materials create extraction pollution and eliminate transportation pollution.
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Windcatchers maintain air quality and consumes zero energy
We can summarise the above 5 facts in one line: Vernacular eco-friendly architecture is automatically GREEN Certified.
In her masterclass for Rolemodel Rebels she shared her experience and key lessons learnt building a telemedicine platform to provide basic health care in Pakistan.
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The GBCI created different certification systems that ensure the sustainability of indoor and outdoor environments. Creating a certification system that measures nature conservation and limits material extraction is a step MTiPX started developing in 2022 in collaboration with GBCI Washington and GBCI Munich.
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Our approach in this certificate stands on three main pillars:
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Accessibility: the certificate can be obtained online in the speed of filing the application
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Cost: The certificate cost is only the administrative cost.
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Usability in other Green and quality assurance certificates like LEED, SITES, etc.
Such a certification system is only possible by using digital twins know-how. The main observation throughout my career, as a practitioner and academic architect-engineer, is that there is no spontaneous innovation.
The idea of the XEROWASTE Certificate is a result of appraising, education, and continuous development. We were keen to start with communication with GBCI to understand the requirements of a new certificate that does not duplicate any other existing quality assurance or certification standards. XEROWASTE's hidden mission is to conserve natural resources in a preventive, proactive approach.
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Getting back to the magical mix of digital twins and the conservation of nature. Practically, engineers, project managers, and project owners have different priorities to meet. This applies to every single phase of the material lifecycle, not only the stage of materials procurement. Moreover, our approach in creating this certification system stands on three main principles. The three fixed elements are time, cost, and the material.
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XEROWASTE Certificate speed is a result of conducting at least two material-based audits for design standards and design data, as well as a last visual confirmation of material selection. The previous audits use the information design managers can input into the digital twin. The beauty of these audits is that they can be conducted by anyone who has access to the data; no experience is needed. This enables project and BIM managers to check the health of the design models and sustainability compatibility without making assumptions.
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XEROWASTE's USP is making knowledge-based decisions. It reports the practice proven savings in material with a range that varies between 25%-60%. Design managers know that using EPM with QA is enough to save 30%. While the best BIM Managers with design background can reach 70% cost saving of which 55%-60% relates to materials. XEROWASTE Certification is industry-based and a result of practising eco-digital design for several years. www.xerowaste.world The certificates include No theories or hypotheses, physics and maths programmed to report savings and prevent waste either black or green.