From Digital Twins to Open Science Projects Linking with the European Green Deal Data Space

At the recent ESA Digital Twin Earth Components: Open Science Meeting, a poster presentation delivered on behalf of CREAF showcased three innovative projects—ILIAD, AquaINFRA, and AD4GD—that are at the forefront of integrating digital twin technology with open science initiatives. This presentation, entitled From Digital Twins to Open Science projects linking with the European Green Deal Data Space, was co-authored by Kaori Otsu (CREAF), Ivette Serral (CREAF), Raul Palma (Poznan Supercomputing and Networking Center), Arne Berre (SINTEF), and Joan Maso (CREAF), and it captured the attention of both researchers and industry professionals.

Advancing European Digital Transformation

Central to the discussion was DestinE, a transformative initiative that is not only advancing scientific research but also playing a significant role in the EU Green Deal and Digital Strategy. DestinE serves as a pivotal framework, enabling enhanced data access and interoperability across various digital platforms. In close connection with DestinE is the European Digital Twin of the Ocean (EDITO), a digital platform designed to provide access to vast amounts of data, computational models, and AI tools. EDITO’s interoperability with DestinE ensures that data-driven decision-making and innovative research are well-supported, fostering an environment where digital and environmental strategies coalesce.

Spotlight on the Research Projects

Each of the featured projects brings a unique contribution to this evolving digital ecosystem:

Iliad

Iliad is focused on the development of methodologies and digital infrastructures that facilitate the integration of complex marine data for the blue economy. By leveraging state-of-the-art digital twin technologies, ILIAD aims to enhance our understanding of oceanographic processes, supporting more accurate simulations and data visualisations that are crucial for environmental research and policy formulation.

AquaINFRA

AquaINFRA is dedicated to improving water-related infrastructure through the interactive  use of Virtual Research Environments (VREs) . The project explores ways to capture, process, and share hydrological data efficiently, thus ensuring that water management strategies can be informed by the seamless integration of marine and inland water data domains, aligning with the EU Mission Restore our oceans and waters by 2030.  

AD4GD

AD4GD is contributing to the digital transformation by integrating heterogeneous data for biodiversity, water and air quality into the European Green Deal Data Space (GDDS) as an open hub for FAIR data and standards-based services. Through its initiatives, AD4GD is set to play a crucial role in enhancing data interoperability and fostering collaborative research across borders.

A Synergy of Open Science and Digital Innovation

These projects, motivated by the Open Science policy under the HORIZON Programme, exemplify a robust commitment to the principles of transparency, collaboration, and data accessibility. By interfacing with platforms like EDITO and DestinE, ILIAD, AquaINFRA, and AD4GD are not only pushing the boundaries of digital twin technology but are also ensuring that scientific advancements contribute directly to the EU’s strategic objectives.

The integration of these projects within the broader framework of the European Green Deal Data Space signifies a step change in how environmental data is utilised. It reflects a growing realisation that the challenges of climate change and digital transformation are deeply interconnected and that solutions must be both technologically innovative and scientifically rigorous.

The presentation at the ESA Digital Twin Earth Components: Open Science Meeting highlighted a forward-thinking vision where open science meets digital innovation. The collaborative efforts of CREAF and its partners underscore a future where enhanced data sharing, digital modelling, and advanced analytics work in tandem to support the EU’s sustainability and digital agendas.

This initiative not only paves the way for more robust research and better-informed policy decisions but also sets a standard for future projects aiming to harness the power of digital twins in addressing some of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time.