WP1 Co-designing the Digital Twins of the Oceans

In this task, all partners’ background knowledge will be gathered and harmonised to align DTs’ to the different stakeholder requirements. Such holistic approach will ensure that the available data, technologies, models, AI techniques and best practices methods are considered consistently for each DT use case. Synergies that increase benefits and reduce risks for businesses and communities involved in the ESB Digital Blue Economy will be identified. This will allow for effective data analysis and an interoperable data architecture (in collaboration with WP4 and WP5) leading to more user friendly outcomes. Based on this, each DT’s definition will be refined and will thereby constitute the final prototype specifications

Task leader: WAVEC, Participants: INTRA, WAVEC, Docktech, Ramani, ALPHA, TERRASIGNA, THALES, TechnipFMC, VPF, DUTH, SAPIENZA, INESC, SOCEAN,SINDIG, UoH, CEA, BUas,FORTH, UCC, UEDIN, TalTech, NIMRD,FHG, AUA, TUV, EV ILVO, NTNU, IEEE, PLOCAN, SEA GUST, BLB, Earthwatch, C4IR Ocean

• Duration:  M1 - M3
• Task Lead:  Wave/Offshore Renewables - Centro de Energia Offshore Associacao ( WavEC)

In collaboration with the Business Development (WP9) and Stakeholder Engagement (WP10), this task will identify representatives of targeted potential end-users active in key Blue Economy sectors such as forecasting, marine and riverine businesses, industries, port facilities management. For each DT, a group of stakeholders will be invited to participate in the continuous improvement process. Once a DT is created or updated, the specific group will be requested to communicate feedback which will be taken into account for the next round of DT implementation.

• Duration:  M4 - M5
• Task Lead:  Wave/Offshore Renewables - Centro de Energia Offshore Associacao ( WavEC)

This task will define and guide the implementation of the Iliad architectural infrastructure. A System of Systems (SoS)is a collection of independent systems, integrated into a larger system that delivers unique capabilities. The architecture will follow a SoS approach of interoperability and transparency without over-specifying the architectural element constructs. The SoS will be capable of integrating all existing EU Earth Observing and Digital Modelling infrastructures and facilities, such as Copernicus(Marine, Land, Atmosphere, Climate, Security and Emergency, EMODNet, Eurofleets+, EuroArgo, JERICO-RI, etc. as well as a broad range of proposed DT models. This will result in a user-oriented information system with state-of-the-art access and visualisation. The SoS will be created with modules that can be adapted to evolving needs. Understanding the relationship between the SoS, other systems, and the environment, will help to identify possible risks and anticipate sources of change. The Iliad architecture will be designed to reduce change propagation but be prepared to adapt if other constituent systems are unable or unwilling to do so. This mechanism for continuous integration and evolvements is enabled by a unified approach using Web-semantic technology, as is elaborated in the following task. Note that this task has direct interactions with WP4, WP5.

• Duration:  M1 - M18
• Task Lead:  Sapienza (SAPIENZA)

This task will facilitate the creation and adoption of best practices and standards across the key project activities and user-focused outcomes. Trusted data and information are key to user acceptance of Iliad products while best practices foster interoperability across diverse communities and efficiency in incorporating data and information into the Digital Twins. This task will engage Iliad in creating best practices and will produce format templates and adequate processes to make them accessible. It will provide connectivity to the Ocean Best Practices System (OBPS) of IOC/UNESCO and to relevant standards organisations. The best practices created will be disseminated to the broad ocean community through Iliad outreach, the OBPS, and with interaction with the IOC Ocean Decade. An objective is to create an enduring legacy for Iliad, and community-adopted best practices and standards. IEEE Standards Association will help building a consensus as it is an organisation that nurtures, develops and advances global technologies. Additionally, in this task, we will also define the Core Iliad ontology by recycling and expanding upon existing ontologies, openlinked data models, and proven semantically enriched software architectures for harmonisation and interoperability of data from diverse and heterogeneous sources. This will ensure the openness, discoverability, and replicability of the semantically enriched Iliad sub-systems. We will develop a unified approach and interlinkage among the systems and components using Web-semantic technology. After the submission of D1.4 Compendium of Iliad best practices, standards and ontology (M9) this will be used as a living document thought the life of the project and an internal deliverable will be submitted to the coordinator M36.

• Duration:  M4 - M36
• Task Lead:  IEEE France Section (IEEE)

In this task for each PCT we will design the layout of its interaction with the Iliad platform by using rapid prototype techniques. The resulting mock-ups will contain already parts of available data and have minor functionality, which will permit some essential interactions. With the help of focus groups, the user-friendliness of the DTO platform, we will assess the PCTs and the adequacy of envisaged required functionalities. A preliminary assessment of the usability and acceptability of the Iliad DTs will identify the needs for creation of additional focused datasets, models, and technology.

• Duration:  M4 - M12
• Task Lead:  Fraunhofer IGD (FHG)

Following the feedback from the first round of user review, this task will adapt each PCT and implement all available technology to reach a minimum viable product (MVP). This technology corresponds to data, AI-methods, sensors, models and best practices that have already been made available in other open platforms and the ones identified in Iliad. This corresponds to the second stage of the PCTs creation. Features such as accessibility, performance, search characteristics, products’ quality, computational power needs, the usability of the platform, its operational reliability and overall performance will be internally assessed. The PCTs will then be opened again for the focus groups to test it and report its feedback.

• Duration:  M7 - M18
• Task Lead:  Fraunhofer IGD (FHG)

Following the feedback from the first rounds of user review, this task will improve each PCT platform. They will be upgraded at each milestone reached by other WP (WP4, WP5 and WP7). The performance and reliability of the platform will be studied at each iteration to ensure excellence in the end-product. The different focus groups will be engaged in each iteration to provide feedback. Their feedback input will be tracked and summarised in user feedback reports. The history of each feedback round will be revised after each development iteration to ensure that earlier issues do not reappear. This task requires several iterations depending on the development turn-around time of technical work completion of other WPs.

• Duration:  M19 - M36
• Task Lead:  SINTEF AS (SINDIG)

Once all iterations are finalised, and prior to final Validation, or acceptance tests, by the focus group and end users (WP7-WP8), the last rounds of technical evaluation will be implemented. This will consist in PCT specific operational acceptance tests defined in the initial phases of WP1. Here, for each PCT, all technologies and available features will be assessed in terms of key quality control attributes such as functional stability, portability and reliability.

• Duration:  M30 - M36
• Task Lead:  Wave/Offshore Renewables - Centro de Energia Offshore Associacao ( WavEC)