SysML Modeling of Digital Twins for Renewable Energy Communities

2026-06-19 · Source: cs.SE updates on arXiv.org · Field: Technology & Digital — Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Software Development & Engineering, Internet of Things (IoT) & Connected Devices · Depth: Advanced, long

Summary

This paper presents a foundational step towards a Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) workflow for Digital Twins (DTs) in Renewable Energy Communities (RECs). Utilizing an industrially-validated REC domain model, the authors re-expressed a representative "household" subset in Systems Modeling Language (SysML) using the open-source Modelio tool. This resulted in two Block Definition Diagrams (BDDs): a device taxonomy and a community organizational view, capturing the structural skeleton of a REC DT. The analysis identified four semantic gaps inherent in plain SysML for REC modeling. To address these, the paper proposes integrating the SAREF4ENER ontology as a reference package, providing a standardized vocabulary for devices, measurements, commands, and flexibility profiles. This approach aims to bridge the current divide between structural SysML models and SAREF-based semantics, a combination previously underexplored in smart energy DTs. The work also acknowledges the need for complementary DT platforms like Eclipse Ditto to handle runtime linking, forming a comprehensive design-to-runtime framework.

Key takeaway

For AI Architects and Systems Engineers designing Digital Twins for Renewable Energy Communities, you should recognize that plain SysML models alone lack the semantic richness required for full interoperability. Your designs must explicitly integrate domain-specific ontologies like SAREF4ENER as reference packages to bridge structural and semantic gaps. This approach ensures robust data exchange and compatibility with diverse energy management systems, moving beyond point-to-point integrations. Consider using Modelio for SysML modeling and planning for runtime integration with platforms like Eclipse Ditto.

Key insights

SysML modeling for REC Digital Twins requires semantic enrichment from ontologies like SAREF4ENER to bridge structural and semantic gaps.

Principles

• MBSE integrates heterogeneous DT concerns.
• SysML provides structural DT backbone.
• Ontologies ensure semantic interoperability.

Method

The proposed workflow involves expressing a REC domain model in SysML BDDs using Modelio, then importing SAREF4ENER as a reference package to close semantic gaps, and finally linking to DT platforms like Eclipse Ditto for runtime.

In practice

• Use Modelio for SysML REC DTs.
• Integrate SAREF4ENER for semantics.
• Employ JSON for device representation.

Topics

• Renewable Energy Communities
• Digital Twin Engineering
• SysML Modeling
• SAREF4ENER Ontology
• Modelio Tool
• Semantic Interoperability

Best for: Research Scientist, AI Scientist, AI Architect, AI Engineer

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Editorial summary, takeaway, and curation by AIssential. Original article published by cs.SE updates on arXiv.org.