Harmonizing the Complex: Evolving Digital Twins to Bridge Data, Domains, and Decisions
Lessons from our digital twin journey — integrating disciplines, people, and data for decision systems.
Jean-Sébastien Sottet
Luxembourg Research of Science and Technology (LIST)
Based on our project-related experiences at LIST, this talk explores the architectures, methodologies, and opportunities emerging from the application of model driven digital twin approaches across diverse domains that range from Luxembourg’s national energy transition to next-generation radio networks. In the context of the National Energy Transition Project in Luxembourg, we highlight the integrative power of models within a multidisciplinary digital twin framework that connects technical, regulatory, environmental, social, and economic dimensions to support evidence-based policymaking and long-term sustainability. We then show how bridging data-driven approaches with conceptual models helps bring together diverse viewpoints: aligning disciplines and harmonizing data and tools within a shared framework. Through the hydrogen energy value chain initiative, we further illustrate how models can act as preliminary digital twins—linking design and simulation as the foundation of the eventual operational twin. Across these projects, this talk underscores the digital twin lifecycle: from initial conceptualization and virtual prototyping to its co-evolution with the physical system, emphasizing its role in enabling adaptability, resilience, and sustained innovation over time.
Speaker bio: Dr. Jean-Sébastien Sottet is a lead researcher at Luxembourg Research of Science and Technology (LIST). He got his PhD from the University of Grenoble, France in 2008, where he developed the use of model-driven engineering to generate human-computer interfaces. His postdoctoral work at the IMT Nantes, in the AtlanMod team, working on reverse engineering and the scalability of very large models.
After gaining industry experience in software automation, he joined LIST, a mission-driven research and technology organization, in 2011. There, he has led both academic and industry collaborations, applying model-driven approaches to diverse fields such as governance, risk and regulatory compliance, enterprise architecture, software optimization, and, most recently, model-driven Digital Twins for energy, transportation and advanced network system.