# The Applications and Challenges of Digital Twin Technology in Smart Grids: A Comprehensive Review
## 7 Future Directions
### Advanced Technology Integration
#### 7.1.1 IoT and AI Convergence  
The Internet of Things (IoT) and AI are two of the most up-to-date technological movements that are critical in the advancement of DTs. Essentially, the IoT represents the idea that everyday objects can be connected and controlled remotely. Experts have said that \begin{table}
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**Project** & **Project Overview** & **Sector** & **Outcome** \\ \hline Vancouver’s Healthcare Twin for Hospital Efficiency & Vancouver Coastal Health implemented a Digital Twin of its hospital operations to improve efficiency and patient care. The Digital Twin simulated Twin for Hospital allocation, allowing for the optimization of processes such as bed management, emergency department operations, and patient discharge procedures. & The Digital Twin led to significant improvements in hospital efficiency, reduced patient wait times, and optimized resource utilization. This pilot project is now being considered for broader implementation across other healthcare facilities in Canada [25; 32]. \\ \hline Hydro-Quebec CAMP Project (Centre for Analysis and Healthcare) Predictive Maintenance & In Hydro-Quebec’s mission, Digital Twin technology is primarily used in the CAMP Project (Centre for Analysis and Predictive Maintenance) to monitor and maintain generating units, dams, and and auxiliary systems; improving asset reliability; and reducing outages [52]. \\ \hline Digital Twin of Bioreactor & This project integrates Digital Twin technology with AI to accelerate the design and optimize the operations of bioreactors, specifically for the production of complex bi biologics like exosomes and viral vectors. & Biopharmaceuticals & Improved bioreactor performance, faster production of biologics, and optimized manufacturing processes through AI and Digital Twin technology [26]. \\ \hline Canadian SME Adoption Roadmap & Focused on helping small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Canada adopt Digital Twin technologies to improve manufacturing processes. & Manufacturing & SMEs achieved enhanced efficiency and product quality by using Digital Twin simulations for real-time monitoring and process optimization, resulting in reduced downtime and improved operational decision-making [33]. \\ \hline Eglinton Crosstown West Extension & Application of Digital Twin for complex transit infrastructure, modeling utility services and resolving potential conflicts during construction. & Transportation & Enhanced safety, minimized delays, cost savings, and improved efficiency in large-scale public infrastructure projects [125]. \\ \hline \hline \end{tabular}
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Table 5: _Cont._DTs and IoT are closely related. The main idea behind this is that the DT is a virtual copy of things, but it cannot keep up with the real world, with IoT being the method for monitoring and changing the state of things, often using virtual models. The IoT works together with AI to assist in the autonomous decision-making processes pertaining to the Digital Twin. AI is able to provide insight to the Twin, as well as make decisions on behalf of the Twin. AI technology is constantly improving, and with the inclusion of machine learning, it allows autonomous systems to make more informed and more accurate decisions. The constant feedback loop created by the IoT network refines the information learned and decisions made by the AI, resulting in an overall improvement in the Digital Twin and its real-life entity [34]. Recent research into the integration of AI and DTs has focused on developing customized architectures and frameworks. Deep learning approaches like neural networks and fuzzy logic implementations are increasingly being adopted to handle complex, non-linear relationships in DT data processing [27]. For real-time decision-making, frameworks combining a five-layer Cyber-Physical System (5C-CPS) architecture with deep learning algorithms have shown promise in enhancing system automation and responsiveness [30].