Framework zur Einführung digitaler Zwillinge im ökologischen Nachhaltigkeitskontext

With the adoption of the European Green Deal, the urgency of sustainable environmental measures has become even clearer. However, this green transformation cannot take place without the digital transformation. The twin transition, combining both transformations, is seen as the solution to achieving the climate targets. The green transformation can be driven by innovative technologies. One of these technologies is the digital twin. The digital twin offers the possibility to optimize physical entities, also in the context of sustainability, and is therefore seen as an ideal tool to promote the twin transformation. The digital twin offers the opportunity to reduce resource and energy consumption as well as waste generation in the industry sector, one of the sectors with the greatest impact on the environment. However, as the digital twin also has a negative impact on the environment, it is essential that it is designed and operates in the most environmentally friendly way possible. A digital twin that not only sustainably optimizes the physical entity, but also acts as environmentally friendly as possible within itself, is referred to as a green digital twin. The implementation of a digital twin presents companies with major challenges, as the necessary skills are often not represented within the company. The focus on sustainability issues adds to the complexity. The aim of this thesis is therefore to develop a practical framework that supports companies in the implementation of digital twins as part of the twin transition to advance the digital and sustainable transformation in the industry. The framework is created by applying the Design Science Research approach.