Digital Twin Construction Electrification Framework
Digital-Twin-Enabled Framework for Cost-Effective, Low-Carbon Electrification of Construction Machinery in Infrastructure Projects
Published on the 08 October 2026 by UNSW Scientia PhD Project
This project is part of the UNSW Scientia PhD Scholarship Scheme
Successful applicants will receive an annual stipend and a one-off Global Mobility Grant to conduct international engagement activities.
This proposed project will develop and validate a digital-twin-enabled framework to guide cost-effective and low carbon electrification of construction machinery in infrastructure projects. Despite its potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, noise and air pollution, the transition from diesel to electric machinery remains difficult because of high capital costs, uncertain productivity, limited charging infrastructure, variable energy demand and concerns about operational reliability.
The framework will integrate machinery characteristics, site conditions, construction schedules, energy consumption, charging requirements, financial costs and carbon emissions within a dynamic digital-twin environment. It will allow project stakeholders to model alternative electrification scenarios and assess their whole-life economic and operational implications.
The proposed project will identify feasible transition pathways, validate them through infrastructure case studies, and support procurement and project planning decisions to introduce electric machinery. This outcome will be a practical digital-twin-enabled framework enabling contractors, client and policymakers to reduce emissions while introducing electric construction machinery.
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- Residency: Domestic applicants only.
- Degree program: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).
You must meet the minimum requirements below to apply:
- An appropriate Bachelor degree with first or upper second class Honours from UNSW: OR
- A completed Master by Research, with a substantial research component and demonstrated capacity for timely completion of a high-quality research thesis; OR
- a qualification from another tertiary institution at a level considered equivalent by the Faculty Higher Degree Committee (HDC)
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Eligible applicants must contact the Primary Supervisor, Chethana Illankoon - z3534870@ad.unsw.edu.au. If she agrees to supervise you, you will be invited to submit a formal application to UNSW.
Your email should include:
- CV
- Official academic transcripts
- A brief introduction about you and why you are qualified for this project.
- What interests you about this project and the supervisor(s) expertise.
Research project overview
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Scholarship value
$39,991 per annum (2027 rate) stipend for 3.5 years
$25,000 Global Mobility Grant (one-off) -
Supervisory team
Dr Chethana Illankoon (UNSW, Primary Supervisor)
Professor Riza Sunindijo (UNSW, Co-Supervisor)
Dr Mahendrini Ariyachandra (UCL, Co-Supervisor)
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Global research partner
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Candidate residency
Domestic
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Degree program
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
UNSW School | Research area
Faculty of Arts, Design & Architecture | School of Built Environment
Impact focus area
Pillar 6: Accelerate the transition to a sustainable society and planet
Learn more
Supervisors
Do you have questions?
The UNSW Graduate Research School manages all postgraduate research applications and scholarships. Get in touch with our team to discuss your research interests and the next steps.