Abstract:
Currently, Kenya supplies its energy demand predominantly through hydroelectric power,
which fluctuates due to poor and unpredictable rainfall in particular years. Geothermal energy
is proposed as a clean and reliable energy source in meeting Kenya’s increasing energy demand.
During geothermal drilling operations, disruptions due to tool wear and breakages increases the
cost of operation significantly. Some of these causes can be mitigated by real-time monitoring of the
tool head during operations. This paper presents the design and implementation of a digital twin
model of a drilling tool head, represented as a section of a mechatronic assembly system. The system
was modelled in Siemens NX and programmed via the TIA portal using S7 1200 PLC. The digital
model was programmed to exactly match the operations of the physical system using OPC (open
platform communications) standards. These operations were verified through the motion study by
simultaneous running of the assembly system and digital twin model. The study results substantiate
that a digital twin model of a geothermal drilling operation can closely mimic the physical operation.
