Report

Teaser, summary, work performed and final results

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - ODYSSEA (OPERATING A NETWORK OF INTEGRATED OBSERVATORY SYSTEMS IN THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA)

Teaser

1.1 ODYSSEA is developing, operating and demonstrating an interoperable and cost-effective platform that fully integrates data from networks of observing and forecasting systems across the Mediterranean basin, addressing both the open sea and the coastal zone. The ODYSSEA...

Summary

1.1 ODYSSEA is developing, operating and demonstrating an interoperable and cost-effective platform that fully integrates data from networks of observing and forecasting systems across the Mediterranean basin, addressing both the open sea and the coastal zone.
The ODYSSEA project applies a user-centered approach, with the aim to generate marine data services that meet the needs of a wide range of end-users.
ODYSSEA’s potential end-users include representatives from public, policy, industry, education, environmental conservation and science/research. The project is directly involving the end-users in the platform design, data collection and day-to-day operations of the model Observatories. Identifying end-users and their specific needs and requirements is a crucial step which guides and directs the development of the ODYSSEA Platform and information services to be provided. A proposed a set of products for each identified use case as well as an analysis of the potential business case for each use case is part of the project’s impact generation and is driving platform development.

To achieve ODYSSEA’s prime objective of developing, operating and demonstrating an interoperable and cost-effective platform the platform architecture has been designed to:

• Collect data from external databases maintained in EU and non-EU Mediterranean countries
• Integrate existing Earth Observation facilities and networks in the Mediterranean Sea
• Support the operation and execution of different simulation models
• Support the integration of real time data being acquired by local sensors
• Provide data discovery and downloading services
• Provide user focused downstream services

In order to demonstrate the methodology to provide in-situ data, the ODYSSEA consortium has set up, nine (9) local/regional model Observatories around the Mediterranean Sea. Each Observatory is responsible for the transfer of locally collected data to the main ODYSSEA platform. Training activities to enable Observatory operators and platform end-users to make best possible use of the platform and data services/products have begun and will continue during the next years, with a focus on building capacity in North African Mediterranean countries. Business cases and business plans are being developed to ensure the long-term sustainability and operation both of the Observatories and the platform after the project ends in November 2021. Dissemination events are encouraging potential users to engage with the project thereby increasing impact and sustainability of the Platform.

Work performed

1.2 For each of the three main activities, namely (A) Setting up and operating the observatories, (B) Developing the platform and (C) Ensuring the uptake of the results by a large audience in general and those supporting Blue Growth in particular, ODYSSEA has made considerable progress. The preparatory activities and first main milestones achieved include: (A) the pilot observatories are set up; (B) version 0 of the platform has been launched and tested by end users including participants in the ODYSSEA summer school. Version 1 will be launched end February 2019 and includes a well-selected range of physical, biogeochemical, hydrodynamic, wave and wind parameters. The platform will be up-graded every six months. Next versions will include 3 applications selected based on end-user needs. Version 2 will include further elaboration and integration of the services into the platform. Use of these services by local end-users and other stakeholders will be the third main project activity, (C) the use of the output of the platform.

A range of end users have already expressed interest in employing the ODYSSEA services, despite the fact that, so far, only very early versions of the platform have been released.

1.2.1 Use & Business Cases

The top ranked Use & Business Cases are listed below.

1. Biodiversity

2. Ballast Water

3. Desalination

4. Microplastics

5. Metocean

6. Pollution

7. Routing

8. Environmental assessment

9. Erosion

10. Pollution

1.2.2 Platform Development

• A strategy for the architecture of the ODYSSEA platform is provided (D3.1)
• Platform architecture and design document for launch of the ODYSSEA Platform V0 (D6.2)
• First draft of the data management plan has been prepared (D3.2 with a first release of the SOS service to be made available soon.
1.2.3 Observatories Operation

• Nine model Observatories have been defined (D2.1).
• Existing models and monitoring systems in operation at Observatories reviewed (D2.3).
• Observatories have designated persons responsible for the modelling module.
• Set-up of hydrodynamic models for the Thracian sea observatory through FEWS and AQUASAFE
• Sensor development is done and sensor integration on static and mobile systems in progress.
1.2.4 Support activities

• Initiating the framework for capacity building activities including training workshops and a summer school
• Inventory of data sources and data gaps has been accomplished (D13.1)
• Recommendations and legal frameworks for sharing data is in place (D13.3)
• Effective dissemination & visibility activities–brand name “ODYSSEA” is well established and t progresses (D11.1 and D11.2)
• Ethics requirements monitoring in process (D1.1&1.2) to assure data is collected and shared in compliance with national and EU regulation.

Final results

1.3
1.3.1 Progress beyond the state of the art and expected results

The following developements will contribute to attainimg the a innovation potential of ODYSSEA:
1. Advanced algorithms:
2. Model Observatories
3. Microplastics sensor.
1.3.2 Potential impacts

By developing an integrated Mediterranean observing system, ODYSSEA will:
1) Provide an additional European contribution to established global observing systems e.g. Copernicus and GEOSS
2) Provide a Mediterranean Sea Integrated Observing system as a component for GEOSS
3) Contribute to increasing temporal and geographic coverage of observational data in the Mediterranean Sea and identify gaps
4) Provide qualified data to improve the predictive capacity of model products and improve the cost effectiveness of data collection in support of ocean-related industrial and societal activities
5) Improve knowledge base needed in order to cope with global challenges; this would make it possible to make better informed decisions within key sectors, and increase safety of offshore activities and coastal communities
6) Improve implementation European maritime and environmental policies and international agreements by providing knowledge base needed to support policy decisions towards sustainable growth of the EU Mediterranean marine and maritime economy
7) Improve the professional skills and competences of those working and being trained to work within the blue economy

Website & more info

More info: http://odysseaplatform.eu/.