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Article

AI-Driven Cognitive Digital Twin for Optimizing Energy Efficiency in Industrial Air Compressors

by
Mawande Sikibi
,
Thokozani Justin Kunene
* and
Lagouge Tartibu
Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Technology, University of Johannesburg, Doornfontein Campus, Corner of Siemert and Beit Streets, Johannesburg 2028, South Africa
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Technologies 2025, 13(11), 519; https://doi.org/10.3390/technologies13110519 (registering DOI)
Submission received: 21 October 2025 / Revised: 4 November 2025 / Accepted: 8 November 2025 / Published: 12 November 2025
(This article belongs to the Special Issue AI for Smart Engineering Systems)

Abstract

Energy efficiency is widely recognized as a critical strategy for reducing energy consumption in industrial systems. Improving energy efficiency has become a central point in industrial systems aiming to reduce energy consumption and operational costs. Industrial air compressors are among the most energy-intensive assets and often operate under static control policies that fail to adapt to real-time dynamics. This paper proposes a cognitive digital twin (CDT) framework that integrates reinforcement learning as, especially, a Proximal Policy Optimization (PPO) agent into the virtual replica of the air compressor system. CDT learns continuous from multidimensional telemetry which includes power, outlet pressure, air flow, and intake temperature, enabling autonomous decision-making, fault adaptation, and dynamic energy optimization. Simulation results demonstrate that PPO strategy reduces average SEC by 12.4%, yielding annual energy savings of approximately 70,800 kWh and a projected payback period of one year. These findings highlight the CDT potential to transform industrial asset management by bridging intelligent control.
Keywords: proximal policy optimization; cognitive digital twin; compressor control; specific energy consumption; reinforcement learning proximal policy optimization; cognitive digital twin; compressor control; specific energy consumption; reinforcement learning

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Sikibi, M.; Kunene, T.J.; Tartibu, L. AI-Driven Cognitive Digital Twin for Optimizing Energy Efficiency in Industrial Air Compressors. Technologies 2025, 13, 519. https://doi.org/10.3390/technologies13110519

AMA Style

Sikibi M, Kunene TJ, Tartibu L. AI-Driven Cognitive Digital Twin for Optimizing Energy Efficiency in Industrial Air Compressors. Technologies. 2025; 13(11):519. https://doi.org/10.3390/technologies13110519

Chicago/Turabian Style

Sikibi, Mawande, Thokozani Justin Kunene, and Lagouge Tartibu. 2025. "AI-Driven Cognitive Digital Twin for Optimizing Energy Efficiency in Industrial Air Compressors" Technologies 13, no. 11: 519. https://doi.org/10.3390/technologies13110519

APA Style

Sikibi, M., Kunene, T. J., & Tartibu, L. (2025). AI-Driven Cognitive Digital Twin for Optimizing Energy Efficiency in Industrial Air Compressors. Technologies, 13(11), 519. https://doi.org/10.3390/technologies13110519

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