Work Packages

Task 1.2: Focus group establishment (M4 – M5) Task leader: WAVEC, Participants: TUV, EV ILVO, SOCEAN, SINDIG, FHG, NTNU, SAPIENZA; VPF, Ramani, INESC, FORTH, SEA GUST, NIMRD, UEDIN, AUA, TUV, EV ILVO, BLB, Docktech, THALES, AGIR, BPIC, SPA/RAC , CTAQUA, EWP, AMA, NIMH, Earthwatch, C4IR Ocean

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.

Task 1.3: Iliad SoS Architecture (M1 – M18) Task leader: SAPIENZA, Participants: INTRA, TUV, WAVEC, Ramani, IEEE, INESC, BLIT, NIMRD, HIDROMOD, Docktech, TERRASIGNA, TechnipFMC, PLOCAN, ALPHA

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.

Task 1.4 Interoperability, methods, best practices, and standards (M4 – M36) Task leader: IEEE, Participants: TUV, VPF. Ramani, INESC,FORTH,SEA GUST, HIDROMOD, BUas, Docktech, TERRASIGNA, THALES, TechnipFMC, AGIR, BPIC, SPA/RAC , CTAQUA, EWPG, AMA, DUTH, UH, CEA, UCC, TalTech, PLOCAN

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.

Task 1.5: DTO mock-ups (M4 – M12) Task leader: FHG, Participants: WAVEC, TUV, SOCEAN, SINDIG, FHG, NTNU, BLIT, SAPIENZA, MEEO, Ramani, INESC, FORTH, SEA GUST, NIMRD, HIDROMOD, BUas, Docktech, TERRASIGNA, TechnipFMC, AGIR, BPIC, SPA/RAC, CTAQUA, EWP, AMA, DUTH, UoH, CEA, UCC, TalTech, NIMH, AUTH, Earthwatch, C4IR Ocean

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.

Task 1.6: DTO MVP (M7 – M18) Task leader: FHG, Participants: WAVEC, TUV, Ramani,SOCEAN,SINDIG, NTNU, INESC TEC, FORTH, SEA GUST, MEEO, BUas, Docktech, TERRASIGNA, TechnipFMC, AGIR, BPIC, SPA/RAC, CTAQUA, EWP, AMA, DUTH, UoH, UCC, TalTech, NIMH, AUTH

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.

Task 1.7: DTO continuous improvement (M19 – M36) Task leader: SINDIG, Participants: WAVEC, TUV, Ramani, SOCEAN, FHG, NTNU, BLIT, EV ILVO, INESC TEC, FORTH, Sea Gust, NIMRD, Docktech, TERRASIGNA, TechnipFMC, AGIR, BPIC, SPA/RAC , CTAQUA, EWP, AMA, DUTH, UoH, UCC, TalTech, NIMH, AUTH, PLOCAN

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.

Task 1.8: DTO final technical evaluation (M30 – M36) Task leader: WAVEC, Participants: INTRA, Ramani, TUV, EV ILVO, SOCEAN, SINDIG, FHG, NTNU, SAPIENZA, INESC TEC, FORTH, SEA GUST, Docktech, TERRASIGNA, TechnipFMC, AGIR, BPIC, SPA/RAC , CTAQUA, EWP, AMA, DUTH, UoH, UCC, TalTech, NIMH, AUTH, PLOCAN

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

Task 2.2: Building, Upgrading and Deploying Novel Sensing Capabilities (M1 – M24) Task leader: LEITAT; Participants: TalTech, NIMH, SAPIENZA, NTNU, ALPHA, VPF, UoH, FGH, SOCEAN, Docktech, ALSEAMAR, TERRADUE, BPIC, EWP, AMA, SINDIG, BUas, AUTH

The value and impact of the Iliad DTO depends on its capacity to collect, quantify uncertainties and analyse a high number of datasets on different ocean parameters building a new, novel sensor network, utilising the emerging Internet of Underwater Things Technology and intercalibrating Earth Observing Systems of various scales. This way, areas with special ecological interest together with areas of increased human pressure will be continuously monitored. Emphasis will be given to the monitoring of Essential Ocean Variables, but with an initial focus on the pilot areas. Data will be transferred in RT mode utilising state of the art communication protocols (like LoRa). Initial testing and calibration of novel sensors will be done within laboratory environment, with pilot system tests following in the natural settings. Collected in-situ data will be used to intercalibrate satellite data and numerical models at all pilots and further expand to all EU Seas. In parallel, regional databases at the nearshore (e.g., the EMODnet bathymetry database) will be refined, utilising modern vehicles and advanced sensor technologies. For example, the structural complexity of reefs and the near-coastal seabed is known to play a major role in the biodiversity, productivity, and overall functionality of these ecosystems. Data collection and specifically high-resolution 3D mapping is currently lacking and based on assumptions. Bathymetric Lidar mapping can create highly detailed 3D maps and could be used to verify existing assumptions and validate numerical models. Data calibration and processing protocols will be developed and tested.

The aim of this task is to build, redesign, upgrade and integrate a series of cost-effective sensors capable to measure and transmit a multitude of ocean parameters in RT and with high reliability. A high number of cost-effective sensor systems (~1000 pieces) will be considered, built and deployed for all pilots, which collects meteorological, oceanographic, chemical, biological data. More specifically, within the framework of the objective of this Task: (a) the Taltech current and wave meters (cost ~1000 euros) will be upgraded to collect RT data from benthic systems, while low-cost physicochemical sensors will be mounted on ferries and ships, (b) the LEITAT microplastic sensor will be upgraded and evaluated against real data, (c) NIMH will build a series of low-cost drifting trackers (cost ~200 euros/per piece with endurance for up to 1 year continuous monitoring), having a max size of 200-250 mm, capable of performing RT measurements in water temperature, salinity, DO, turbidity, displacement, orientation and more parameters, (d) ALPHA will perform 18 months of data acquisition to operationally test drones carrying/towing metocean and optical sensors in the selected Iliad pilot locations, (e) NTNU, SOCEAN and FHG will make their ocean observatory and seabed facilities available for sensor’s testing and validation, as well as fleet of underwater vehicles (AUVs, DeepWater AUVs, ROVs, buoys), for in-situ testing and data collection using Iliad novel sensing technologies, (f) Alseamar will perform 12 months data acquisition with gliders, equipped with 2 different payloads: (1) the anoxia payload – equipped with sensors like CTD, Chl-a, turbidity, CDOM, Dissolved Oxygen, Methane, Hydrogen Sulphide and CO2, (2) the ecological payload - CTD, Chl-a, turbidity, CDOM, zooplankton. (g) ALPHA will select and integrate a cost-effective specialised bathymetric LiDar sensor onto its helicopter UAV, and will perform high resolution 3D mapping of the nearcoastal seabed in selected pilot areas, (h) Docktech will collect vessels sensors data by deploying an upgraded data collection units to collect environmental data from coastal and operational waterways.

Task 2.3: Collection of Operational Data from PS user cases (M9 – M36) Task Leader: DUTH; Participants: HIDROMOD, VPF, BPIC, EWP, AMA, TFCM, IEEE, NIMRD, EV ILVO, AGIR, SAPIENZA, SEA GUST, DUTH, UoH, INESC, Ramani, TalTech, Docktech, TERRADUE, SINDIG, BUas, AUTH, CEA

Operational data from the various user cases operating at the Iliad pilots will be collected and transferred to the Iliad DTO. Such data will include: a) the fish/mussel growth rate per species, wet and dry biomass, quality and quantity data on fish feed, parasites, suitability of specific areas for aquaculture, seascape and seabed detailed volumetric reconstruction using bathymetric LiDAR, water quality and sustainability indexes, energy consumption, operational costs, etc. in the case of aquaculture user cases, etc. These data will be used for the calibration and validation of sitespecific fish/mussel growth models, b) wind, wave, solar power produced on a daily basis for the case of marine renewables, to be combined with the operational metocean data and forecasts, collected by sensors and produced by numerical models, to be transferred to WP5 for data analytics and AI/ML modelling, c) data on marine transportation, shipping traffic, ports and marinas operation and their environment, e.g., daily passenger and cargo loads,ship generated waste and emissions, ballast water releases, water sludge releases from open-loop scrubbers, invasive species using a combination of traditional methods and innovative e-DNA techniques, oil spill detection incidents, atmospheric and water quality parameters, etc. d) daily data on catches and discards, operation (diesel) costs, number of fishermen onboard per fishing vessel and fishing ground visited, for the case of fisheries, e) pre-processed (by UoH) bathymetric LiDAR data will be transferred to the DTO assessing fish diversity patterns in the near-coastal seabed in selected pilot areas.

Task 2.4: System Evaluation (M28 – M36) Task leader: TalTech; Participants: Alseamar, NIMH, ALPHA, LEITAT, DUTH, UoH, MEEO, TUV, UEDIN, NIMRD, SAPIENZA, TERRASIGNA, SEA GUST, AGIR, UCC, INESC, Docktech, TERRADUE, SINDIG, BUas, AUTH, CEA, Earthwatch, OGC, C4IR Ocean

The functioning of the above-described monitoring system, the quantification of uncertainties, the malfunctions and problems faced and how they were solved, the contribution of the system to the production of new knowledge, the capacity to fill the acknowledged data gaps, the integration of Iliad Monitoring system with existing operational monitoring systems (national and supra-national like CMEMS, EMODnet, SeaDataNet and GOOS) and the input to EU policy implementation, as MSFD or other relevant Directives and international Conventions (such as BWMC), will be extensively studied and reported.

Task 3.2 Citizen Engagement (M4 – M36) Task leader: UoH. Participants: SAPIENZA, TUV, Ramani, UoH, AUA, BLB, INTRA, MEEO, VPF, AGIR, IEEE, Earthwatch

This task is to engage citizens as volunteer stakeholders of the project to ensure a participatory approach throughout the project. To do so, DTO apps that provide meaningful, practical content and solutions will be identified in terms of requirements and developed. Through this task, partners will recruit and train volunteers for the data collection and data annotation activities. The consortium will organise short courses to train contributors to data acquisition and public events are also foreseen in order to recruit volunteers. In addition workshop and seminars will be carried out to train volunteers engaged in the data refinement, tagging, and annotation process. We will perform an extensive survey across European Seas to identify Citizen Science apps that can meet DTO standards. The respective stakeholder groups for these apps will be singled out and approached to facilitate Iliad implementation. Collaborating with project scientists, Data acquisition, training, workshops, and engagement sessions will be streamlined according to state-of-the-art Citizen Science methodology. Coordinated with and supported by WP10.

Task 3.3: User-uptake monitoring and marketing of Marine Citizens Sciences Apps (M7 – M36) Task leader: Ramani. Participants: THALES, TUV, UoH, AUA, INTRA, MEEO, DUTH, IEEE, PSNC, PLOCAN, Earthwatch, DUTH

In close consultation with WP1 and Task 3.2, Task 3.3 will provide marketing material for citizen engagement with the aim to scale-up the data collection and data annotation activities and advertise these using the Iliad Bazaar Citizen Science apps shelve of the Iliad MarketPlace. we will use the Iliad bazaar as an interface to articulate citizen’s needs and match them against existing or new (desired) solutions. Hackathons will be organised to engage software developers and citizens to co-create new citizen science applications and produce solutions underpinning environmental management, governance and protection of the seas. Novel technologies (novel data visualisations, UIX optimisation to prevent interview fatigue, situational-awareness with the use of smartphone sensory data, in-App analytics using edgeAI techniques…) will be used to accelerate this co-creation process.

Task 3.4: Semantic software architecture – towards interoperable Citizen Sciences (M7 – M18) Task leader: Ramani. Participants: THALES, TUV, UAB, OGC, INESC, INTRA, MEEO, PSNC, PLOCAN, NIMH, DUTH

In this task we will identify existing standards for Volunteered Citizen Science data and aim to identify and recycle existing ontologies and semantically enriched software architectures. We will define the Core Citizen science Iliad ontology and publish it as a standard for maritime citizen sciences apps, building on existing standards. This will be made accessible using native Android and iOS SDKs as well as Open-Linked Data RESTful services in order to ensure the openness, discoverability, and replicability between already existing apps and the ones developed under this project. This will enable observations made through several citizen apps, across many different locations using different languages, to be shared. It will enable reasoning and making inferences on all available data for further alerting and forecasting functions and exchanging it between and across the other project databases. We will work in close collaboration with Citizen Science domain working group, led by WeObserve, the Citizen Science community in GEO and the Projects, data, tools and technology working group in ECSA. We will use the OGC definition service to store the relevant common vocabularies for combining data from different citizen science projects and the integration with other official data sources. This work will take the Essential Ocean Variables developed in the GEOWoW project as the starting point for the vocabularies of the observations that Citizen Science activities and will evolve with the new needs.

Task 3.5: Apps and Services development (M7 – M18) Task leader: THALES. Participants: TUV, Ramani, NIMH, UoH, INESC, INTRA, MEEO

From the apps point of view, this task will use the software framework developed in Task 3.4 and adapt mobile phone apps dedicated to the support of the data collection campaigns. For instance, a new mobile app that will provide notifications and alarms to fishers and ship navigators for fast changes in weather conditions will be developed. Amongst others, we will assess the following CS App endeavours: (1) Meduzot Baam: Mobile app with a web community and a social networking platform, (2) OPECS: Oil Pollution Estimation using Citizen Science, (3) CLEANmeUP! Marine debris: cleaning beaches using Citizen Science, (4) FishQUAL: Crowdsourcing Fish quality using edge-AI with a mobile app, (5) SAFEcoasts: Coastal swimming safety: mapping beach safety for swimmers, (6) WAVEme: Retrieval of physical ocean conditions, wave height and wave width. From the back-end point of view, we will develop the analysis functions for citizen science that will be highlighted in Task 3.1, according to citizen needs. The aim is to provide Iliad with analysis and early warning capabilities. Among others, we will provide means to integrate information coming from the different sources (citizen apps, social media, open sources, online encyclopaedia and resources …) into a single a coherent view in which redundancy between sources will be eliminated and where each specific information source will bring its own view on the ocean that will be integrated in the overall picture. Robust statistical models of the climatic conditions will be developed. These models will be integrated into the TUV's simulators and the Iliad DTO. NIMH will provide their expertise in cheap & energy-efficient devices, which can gather data and communicate with others in the mesh of devices to develop a network of sensors managed by citizens. A Semantic Information Analysis function will be developed, relying on the InSyTo and COST Citizen Sciences toolbox provided by THALES and Ramani.

Task 4.2: Ocean Interoperability Space - Ocean Information Model and Vocabulary (M4 – M30) Task leader: PSNC Participants: INTRA,SINDIG, OGC, DEIMOS,PSNC, Ramani, EV ILVO,SAPIENZA, MEEO, C4IR Ocean, INESC, HIDROMOD, BUas, UEDIN, TUV, UAB, PLOCAN, IEEE

This task delivers the semantic interoperability mechanisms that enable different systems in the Ocean domain to provide and exchange data with unambiguous meaning. Using linked data approaches and Ocean Information Model, this task will link essential information required for integrated views on heterogeneous datasets and establishes the baseline for data processing, data science, and advanced data analytics. Starting with a thorough state of the art analysis, this task will design the Iliad Ocean Information Model (OIM), a common semantic data model to be used to ensure semantic interoperability among Ocean data related data sets and services. This common data model will not be built ab initio, but will incorporate and extend existing ontologies and vocabularies available for the Ocean domain (e.g., Ocean Data Ontology), as well as for related domains such as weather data (e.g., SWEET), IoT (OGC SensorThings API,SSN /SOSA Ontology, sensorML), statistical and multidimensional data (e.g., RDFdata cube vocabulary, QB4ST and SDMX), Citizen science/user generated data (e.g., RDF review vocabulary, MUTO ontology), as well as ocean transport/shipping data (e.g., OTM ontologies), while it will also make use of existing ontologies for data catalogues (DCAT/GeoDCAT-IP). OIM is going to be an agile artefact responding to the changing requirements of the pilots and the wider ecosystem. Enhanced interoperability for existing resources and services, even with concurrent underlying models and semantics, will be further provided through extending the OGC Definition Server. The Definition Server is a Web accessible source of information about things ("Concepts") that are defined by the broader oceans community or result from external but related standardisation and policy bodies. OGC uses stable web addresses (URIs) to unambiguously identify concepts in its specifications. The OGC Definitions Server makes those URIs "work" - i.e., makes them dereference to a definition that can be used, so that vocabularies with uniquely defined terms can be created. This approach allows handling co-exiting concurrent and non-consistent base semantics and information resources, which is an essential requirement for services and products that cannot be modified easily.

Task 4.3: Semantically enhanced data discovery and datasets (M13 – M36) Task leader: Ramani Participants: PSNC, DEIMOS,SINDIG, C4IR Ocean,PSNC, INTRA, MEEO, INESC, HIDROMOD, BUas, UEDIN, TUV, UAB,PLOCAN

The overall aim of this task is it to enhance input (meta)data needed by the DTOs for downstream enrichment (e.g. analytics), inter-linkage, and consumption by providing semantically enabled tools and software services. This task will result in new platform functionalities, incl. a web interface, to explore and discover datasets using a faceted, semantic search interface compliant with any metadata standard demanded by the Iliad Marketplace. The semantic basis for the search interface is that items (maps or datasets) are found by Terms which are organised into Facets which are organised into Taxa. Items can have some displayable properties and can be related by isPartOf or isReplacedBy; where terms can imply other terms. All this can be cleanly expressed in RDF, and as metadata standards (e.g. INSPIRE) are now all based on ontology representations any other metadata model need only be mapped into this RFDF model in order for it to be consistently exposed in the search interface. Also, selected classes from Schema.org will be inherited for Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) purposes. Thus, this is an expansion of the semantic API, which forms the basis for providing compliance to international standards for interoperability of structures and services of the IDSbased Iliad architecture. The UIX of the faceted search will allow for graphical discovery and matching between multiple Consumer/Producer offerings to allow competition at an asset (i.e. dataset) level, but also for fail-over and redundancy purposes. Metadata contributes to the discoverability of a dataset. Therefore, a service will be designed and deployed that provides recommendations for metadata attributes published through the DAP streamer to facilitate better discovery and interoperability in the Iliad Marketplace. This proposed webservice provides an easy-to-understand visual overview based on a completenessscoring per data discovery facet (e.g. Identification and Metadata, TextSearch, Extent Search, etc.). Given the proliferation of multiple metadata standards, a tool will be designed that can check for compliance to multiple metadata standards. The service is entitled “DRS-validator” as it validates a Data Service Provider (DSP)’s dataset, e.g. exposed through the OPeNDAP interface, by checking for compliance with the Data Reference Syntax (DRS) metadata. This will allow the interface to trigger an early alarm to a DSP that signals what metadata is still non-compliant. What is not there can also not be harvested. So, in case metadata remains missing or non-compliant a Metadata Content Management System (M-CMS) will be developed allowing Marketplace content managers to augment and manage the (meta)data of any datasets on behalf of “lazy” Data Service Providers (DSP).

Task 4.4: Ocean Data Space and Digital Twin of the Ocean (DTO) (M7 – M30) Task leader: C4IR Ocean Participants: SINDIG, PSNC, OGC, INTRA, MEEO, SAPIENZA, Ramani, DEIMOS, INESC, HIDROMOD, BUas, UEDIN, TUV, UAB, PLOCAN, Docktech, SOCEAN

The DTO will be supported by the open Ocean Data Platform of C4R Ocean – with the associated Contextualisation services powered by Cognite Fusion for time and space interoperability resolution mappings and harmonisation. The further extensions for the DTO will be supported through the modelling facilities provided by WP5 – which will enable various aspects of the DTO to be enhanced. Thistask will provide support for activities focusing on preparing, analysing, fusing and integrating the incoming datasets into the DTO as well as providing the mechanisms to access and share them. To achieve that, a big data strategy will be followed in order to “translate data into useful information”. To this end, all necessary tools and services for rendering the incoming datasets, performing (spatial) data fusion and providing an integrated data view, ready for more complex analysis, will be supported. This will require the use of the Ocean Information Model (OIM) for the representation of the different data elements and their relationships. Having many technologies, platforms, systems and devices in the Iliad ecosystem implies that there will be a multitude of data sources producing information that will be consumed, processed and stored by several interested consumers simultaneously through the harmonised DTO.

Task 4.5: Digital Earth and Digital Twin APIs (M13 – M36) Task leader: OGC Participants: INTRA,SINDIG, DEIMOS, PSNC, Ramani, C4IR Ocean, INESC, HIDROMOD, BUas, UEDIN, TUV, UAB, PLOCAN, Docktech, TalTech, NIMRD, NIMH

This task develops a set of standardised Web API building blocks that make the exchange of ocean data and information more efficient, reliable, and cost effective. These building blocks shall be aligned with international standardisation efforts to ensure reliability and interoperability with existing and emerging external systems. The task will provide Web API development expertise to all Iliad partners, align current API work with Iliad requirements, and ensure sustainability of Iliad results by bringing them back into the standardisation process. A robust starting point in this context is the Environmental Data Retrieval (EDR) API, defined by the OGC Oceans and Meteorology Working group. The Web API is optimised for many situations of ocean data discovery, access, and processing. The OGC Earth Observation Applications architecture is well aligned with specific requirements from ESA and Copernicus and allows the ad-hoc deployment of arbitrary applications at remote cloud platforms. OGC is happy to develop these concepts further as part of Iliad. Further on, the task shall develop guidance on API governance and consensus driven development

Task 4.6: StreamHandler Digital Twin integration (M7 – M33) Task leader: INTRA Participants: SINDIG, Ramani, EV ILVO, C4IR Ocean, Docktech, INESC, HIDROMOD, BUas, UEDIN, TUV, UAB,PLOCAN, TalTech, NIMRD, NIMH

This task addresses integration of live data streams into the DTO by further developing the StreamHandler platform by INTRA. Simulation and testing data sources will be seamlessly integrated with processing components by means of integration connectors (Connectors) efficiently interoperable with all modern data storage technologies (RDBMS, NoSQL, HDFS Hadoop, Apache HBASE). The communication platform will connect external data sources and make them available to the Digital Twin of the Ocean (DTO) by employing the streaming component and multiple workers of the connect component allowing the realisation of scalable and secure data stream pipelines. The deployment of the underlying infrastructure is also part of this Task, which spans multiple VMs and provides all necessary technologies and components enabling the storage and analysis of data and the usage of any technology agnostic algorithms by providing a distributed computing environment that enables needed functionalities (Apache Spark, Hadoop, Kafka Streams, Spark Streaming, etc., and across big data languages including Python, Java, R and Scala).

Task 5.2: Model integration service (M7 – M30) Task leader: HIDROMOD; Participants: FORTH, WAVEC,SEA GUST, INESC, SOCEAN, DUTH, MEEO, UEDIN, TUV, SAPIENZA, Earthwatch, UCC, AUTH

Usually, modelling can provide significant progress which concerns a better understanding of a local dynamic (hydrodynamic, waves patterns, water quality, etc.) through a combination of increasing model resolution, advances in observations and processes understanding. To this end there will be considered several open-source widespread meteorological, hydrodynamic, sea state, and biogeochemical models and adapt them to the Iliad DTO platform and DT specific needs. These models will be made available both in on-demand mode for a test/survey with specific temporal and spatial resolution and as to support the implementation of operational monitoring and prediction services. The geographical areas and the number of service runs will make use of existing cloud and/or HPC resources interconnected in the DTO system. Preference will be given to open-source tools, with which Iliad partners have accumulated experience, e.g. POM, Telemac3D, MOHID, Thetis, NEMO, for hydrodynamics, SWAN, Wavewatch III, WAM, OceanWave3D for wave modelling, and WRF for meteorological forecasting, or a coupling of them. Others may be investigated and integrated during the Iliad project, according to further specific requirements of the DTs. Calibration, validation, and performance assessment of these toolsfor the DTs, when integrated in Iliad platform will be thoroughly performed.

Task 5.3: Data Assimilation and Data-driven surrogate models (M14 – M30) Task leader: WAVEC; Participants: FORTH, MEEO, SEA GUST, SOCEAN, TUV, UEDIN, Earthwatch, UCC, AUTH, TalTech

The goal of this task is to enhance the quality of numerical models by a) assimilating in-situ data; and b) incorporating synthetic data generated by surrogate models. It involves data assimilation and harmonisation of EO and in-situ data collected within the Iliad project to minimise forecasting errors and optimise operational alerting. Data assimilation techniques through either the automated calibration of models or in the continual utilisation of in-situ data will be used to perform state updating of models in both hind-casting and real-time operational models. By combining these various sources of data and properly accounting for the confidence intervals within each, the overall performance and predictive capabilities of models can be increased. There are multiple data assimilation algorithms to be considered within Iliad which include but are not limited to Ensemble Kalman filter, 3D- and 4D- variational assimilation, andParticleFiltering. Each has its own preferential implementation, depending on the temporal and spatial scale, as well as the schematisation of the model. Furthermore, Iliad will implement a surrogate approach offering both added-value information, fast and high-fidelity results for decision-making and marine spatial planning. Based on these, the integrated approach of “Hybrid digital Twin” will be developed in which numerical models, data provided by sensors (including satellite data) and synthetic data (generated by Artificial Neural Network (ANN), Gaussian Processes and other statistical models) will be combined. In case of lack of data, an integrated ANN–Kalman hybrid model and similar methods will be implemented for reconstruction of missing variables. The data synthesis approach proposed is particularly useful for nonlinear problems with large sample size where the underlying governing laws are unknown or hard to describe. This task will contribute to improving sub-grid scale processes of data and model approaches and this knowledge will be crucial to larger scale models of the Iliad DTO.

Task 5.4: Thematic modelling service (M9–M30) Task leader: FORTH; Participants: SOCEAN, WAVEC, FORTH, EV ILVO, SEA GUST, DUTH, Ramani, MEEO, TUV, UEDIN, SAPIENZA, Earthwatch, UCC, AUTH

This Task will use thematic models of specific variables (of interest to smaller groups of users), which are needed for simulations on-demand, triggered by specific events, based on a combination of user input and data from the other Iliad models. It will couple these thematic models to the operational modelling chain of DTs in order to make full use of the high-resolution data that are produced for thePCT. Thematic modelling in Iliad will include: (a) Oil spill modelling to aid the emergency response and the development of contingency plansfor accidentalsurface and subsurface oil releases, which will the configuration of models such as MEDSLIK-II, OpenOil, OSCAR; (b) Wind, current, and wave energy modelling to assess the potential for renewable energy in selected areas using Telemac3D and or Thetis; (c) Micro and macro plastics transport and distribution modelling, employing models such as OpenDrift; (d) Coastal morphodynamics modelling, (e) Ecosystem status assessment (e.g., using Ecopath with Ecosim) utilising abiotic data from the Iliad DTO, and data limited single species assessments applying the novel CMSY++ and AMSY methods; (f) fish and mussel farm modelling, by employing individual-based and population dynamics models; (g) locality-specific modelling (based on in-situ and EO data, such as wind, waves, visibility and temperature) for safe navigation in ports and channels during unfavourable weather conditions; (h) “same area” ballast water risk assessment and management. Activities of this task also include the validation of thematic models with observations.

Task 5.5: ML Services for pattern discovery and event detection (M13–M32) Task leader: DUTH; Participants: SOCEAN, FORTH, UoH, TUV, TECHNION, AUA, INESC, Docktech, TechnipFMC, BPIC, EWP, AMA, Earthwatch, TalTech, AUTH

This task researches and delivers different ML methods for pattern discovery in historical datasets and (near) real time data streams in order to infer tendencies, seasonal patterns and find deviations and anomalies, correlating and comparing data sources to understand the root cause of outlier events, developing predictive models for the early detection in repeated events of interest. Complex pattern mining is a well-known methodology for detecting behaviours indicative of recurring events of interest in spatio-temporal data streams originating from a large set of distributed sensors and remote systems (drones, satellites). However, pattern discovery can be a very time-consuming task for human experts. In this task we will make use of appropriate ML and neurofuzzy techniques, including deep neural networks (DNN), to detect events of interests and to infer indicative patterns in an unsupervised fashion. Unsupervised clustering will be used to discover clusters of patterns, which could help for automated or human-expert supported analyses and interpretation of observations. Image pattern recognition algorithms will be also employed to scan predictive modelling databases, to identify ocean/atmospheric patterns and the initiation of extreme incidents (hurricanes, medicanes), issuing early warnings. We will also use other types of data, such as spatial-temporal remote sensing data, blended with social media and citizen science data, to enable continuous dynamic monitoring of rapid changes at the sea surface at a fine spatial resolution and to validate socio-economic impacts. By using spatio-temporal fusion approaches to create fine spatial-temporal resolution images we will achieve spectral-spatial-temporal fusion for coastal shallow environments and reconstruct 10 m spectral images (radar and multispectral) using Sentinel 1-3 images. A possible outcome is a trained network able to reconstruct both spatial and spectral features at the best temporal resolution (<1.5 days). In the same fashion, other pattern recognition services using, for example, climate projection datasets, can be made available as decision support services for long-term planning and development of mitigation strategies. The automated recognition of specific patterns of interest, will facilitate the development of services and applications that operate in near real-time.

Task 5.6: User-defined analytics and event subscription service (M13–M36) Task leader: INESC; Participants: TERRADUE, SEA GUST, TUV, Ramani, TECHNION, AUA, Docktech, TechnipFMC, BPIC, EWP, AMA, TalTech, AUTH, IEEE

This task deals with the extraction of analytics tailored to the user’s needs from the services provided in tasks 5.2 to 5.5, using the service layer established in task 5.1 to satisfy requirements elicited in WP1. This task will also provide access to an Application Integration Environment that supports researchers to adapt and co-designed their analytics applications for integration in a Cloud platform. Supported by dedicated guidelines prepared for that purpose by NextGEOSS and ESA Thematic Exploitation Platforms, the service developers are able to evolve their services, and receive support for application integration and their packaging as appliances in Cloud-agnostic way that is ready to be deployed into different Cloud platforms (e.g., EGI, DIAS, Commercial providers) tapping computational and data resources. This task will provide access to a user workspace persistently and transparently managed to achieve infrastructure scalability taking advantage of the JupyterHub over a Kubernetes Cluster possibly deployed in existing Copernicus DIAS. For co-design and stakeholder engagement, this task offers an online co-creation space with intuitive UIX for added-value product development. It includes a plethora of algorithms, which can be combined with heterogeneous data providers and consumers with the aid of a visual workflow builder. This work inherits its basis from the Copernicus App Lab, a H2020 funded project that elaborated and validated possible evolutions of the Copernicus Data Services to further empower downstream service providers. As an example, an aquaculture farmer might use a service from task 5.4 to model the optimal ration size and fish weight in offshore farm aquaculture depending on water parameters, such as its temperature. Another example may be a cargo ship with a new, changing destination port that has to (re)apply for clearance and port permission using the DTO on spatial ballast water “same area” risk assessment for invasive species modelling. In addition, users may define a conjugation of factors (e.g., a conjunction of thresholds for a specific area, using a determined model) that triggers an event when these conditions are met. A message broker will be implemented so that subscribing systems can be notified and consume the triggered events.

Task 6.2: User XP and Interfaces – Design and Development (M6 – M24) Task leader: BLIT; Participants: BUas, SEA-GUST, INESC, HIDROMOD, Ramani, MEEO, AUTH, FHG, TUV, EV ILVO, UAB, Earthwatch, C4IR Ocean, SAPIENZA

Design templates for user-experiences and user interaction. Conceptualise, design and develop a modular and flexible system that will allow the consortium to develop user interfaces, taking into account that the DTO will be under constant development and adaptation for different user groups and use-cases. This will be carried out using standard system style templates, viewer modes, plug-ins, modules and difficulty levels. Deliverables: User XP & User Interface Design Report (D6.2), and UXP&UI module (D6.3).

Task 6.3:Performance and Dashboards – Design and Development (M16 – M30) Task leader: BLIT; Participants: BUas, SEA GUST, INESC, HIDROMOD, Ramani, MEEO, AUTH, FHG, TUV, EV ILVO, UAB, Earthwatch, C4IR Ocean, FORTH, TalTech, IEEE, SAPIENZA

Design and development of core modules for interaction, the representation and feedback of output and performance of the system in terms of stats, reports and Dashboards. The design approach to the Reporting and Dashboard system will be modular, flexible and adaptable, allowing for view modes, improvement, plug ins and customisation. Deliverables: Performance & Dashboard Design (D6.4); Operational Performance and Dashboard module (D6.5).

Task 6.4: Geo-Data Visualisation - Design and Development (M10 – M36) Task leader: BUas; Participants: BLIT, SOCEAN, INESC, HIDROMOD, Ramani, MEEO, AUTH, FHG, TUV, EV ILVO, UAB, Earthwatch, C4IR Ocean, FORTH, TalTech, SAPIENZA

Task 6.4 will focus on the front-end 2D and 3D representation of the DTO marine and maritime geo-data-visualisation technology, such as the 2D and 3D representation of static and dynamic (heat) maps, as well as the representations of dynamic system changes. Deliverables: Geo-data and Visualisation Design (D6.6); Operational Geo-data and Visualisation module (D6.7).

Task 6.5: Immersive, Interactive Visualisation (V/AR) – Design and Development (M10 – M36) Task leader: BUas; Participants: SOCEAN, BLIT, INESC, HIDROMOD, Ramani, MEEO, AUTH, FHG, TUV, EV ILVO, UAB, Earthwatch, C4IR Ocean, SAPIENZA

Task 6.5 will develop, deploy and evaluate a module (or, a platform) that can rapidly and cost efficiently generate immersive and interactive 3D-worlds and world-scenes, through a combination of AI (procedural generation), 2D geodata in the DTO and a library of 3D-models(ships, wind turbines, marine ecology).Subtasksin T6.5 are the development of the Virtual Platform architecture, modalities and functionalities; development of the 3D-asset library; development of the AI (procedural generation) and linking the VR to the DTO; testing and validation. Deliverables: Operational VR module (D6.8); Report test and validation results (D6.9).

Task 7.2: Demonstrations and impact assessments (Duration: M25-M34; Task leader:FHG; Participants: BLB, EURISY, WAVEC, SOCEAN; NTNU, C4IR Ocean,PLOCAN, TUV, VPF, Ramani, EV ILVO, TERRASIGNA, TalTech,FORTH, MEEO, AGIR, UoH, INESC, Docktech, ALSEAMAR, LEITAT, INTRA, HIDROMOD, ALPHA, TERRASIGNA, THALES, TechnipFMC, BPIC, SPA/RAC , EWP, AMA, DUTH, SAPIENZA, UCC, UEDIN, NIMRD, NIMH, AUTH, IEEE, SEA GUST, GENILLARD, Earthwatch

The partners will demonstrate each Iliad DT to the identified end users using questionnaire and protocol developed in 7.1. This task will closely collaborate with WP 10 and 11 that develop training modules for Iliad services to be used in science, governance and education and cover outreach to non-targeted end users.

Task 7.3: Analysis of Demonstrations and impact assessments (Duration: M34-M36; Task leader: SOCEAN; Participants EURISY, WAVEC, SINDIG; FHG, NTNU, C4IR Ocean, PLOCAN, TUV, VPF, Ramani, EV ILVO, TERRASIGNA, TalTech, FORTH, MEEO, AGIR, UoH, INESC, Docktech, AUA, INTRA, HIDROMOD, ALPHA, TERRASIGNA, THALES, TechnipFMC, BPIC,SPA/RAC , EWP, AMA, DUTH,SAPIENZA, UCC, UEDIN, NIMRD, NIMH, AUTH, IEEE, SEA GUST, GENILLARD, Earthwatch

The partners will assess the Iliad DTO as a whole, based on the demonstration and assessment results from task 7.2. A quantitative/scoring methodology will be developed for Iliad DTO assessment by mapping proposed DTO outputs (e.g., data, variables, indicators, services) to user’s needs and gaps filling; existing and future maritime activities (e.g., tourism, aquaculture, oil and gas extraction, marine renewables etc.) and marine spatial planning; existing macroregional strategies and EU policy instruments. The assessment will encompass a (re)analysis of users’ needs, an exhaustive exploration of implemented DTO architecture and will integrate the feedbacks of the Questionnaire Surveys.

Task 8.2: Guidebook/Toolkit on Using Iliad DTO for Policy Objectives (M12-36) Task leader: FORTH; Participants: SAPIENZA, AUA, VPF, UoH, SPA/RAC, TUV, EURISY, INESC, AGIR, CTAQUA, AMA, EV ILVO, UAB

Iliad DTO will bring high-impact technological and societal innovation that can help empower citizens, governments and industries to collectively share the responsibility to monitor, alert on threats, preserve and enhance marine and coastal habitats, while also supporting a sustainable blue economy. Task 8.2 will develop a guidebook for prospective users to effectively use the DTO to conduct policy monitoring, compliance assessment, and even identify gaps that should be bridged to improve compliance. The guidebook/toolkit will be geared toward local and national authorities, coastal management bodies, and port authorities to improve their marine spatial planning, pollution control, biodiversity conservation, environmental compliance, disaster resilience, and other capabilities. The product may also offer pathways to greater harmonisation and alignment of policies and environmental governance practices across the EU and non EU countries.

Task 8.3: Assessments of Iliad DTOs Policy Impact (M12-36) Task leader: AUA; Participants: SAPIENZA, VPF, FORTH, SPA/RAC, TUV, EURISY, UoH, DUTH, EV ILVO, UAB

Task 8.3 will conduct two assessments of Iliad DTOs impact on select policy topics, e.g., marine spatial planning (including ability to determine GES in relation to its descriptors), citizen science and engagement to advance the Green Deal, relevant authorities’ compliance with EU regulations related to the Green Deal, data sharing and interoperability, etc. Specific topics for the assessments can be agreed upon in collaboration with the EU Commission during the Action. The assessment will identify the strengths and potential weaknesses of Iliad in meeting the policy goals and targets. It will identify ways in which the Iliad DTO can be improved to serve as a high-impact tool supporting the implementation of these policies. It also aims to identify some constraints and limitations of DTOs in meeting policy goals and suggesting paths forward, aligned with Task 1.6.

Task 8.4: Developing and Employing Policy Dialogue and Communications Tools (M6-36) Task leader: AUA; Participants: SAPIENZA, VPF, UoH, SPA/RAC, EURISY, dotSPACE

Task 8.4 will highlight and engage policy interests to ensure the Iliad DTOs policy objectives are served. Specifically, Iliad will develop a set of policy engagement and dialogue tools related to the Mission Starfish 2030 report & DestinE initiative, UN Decade on Ocean Science and related UN SDGs. These tools will include webinars, policy briefs and broadcasts, policy workshops and simulations, and policy hackathons. These are to be used for/by the Iliad policy networks, Iliad Science Schools, MOOC content, Iliad business and capacity development activities to engage and link the DTO technology and policy interests. These tools will also help to engage in dialogue and collaboration on advancing the aims of DestinE at the national, regional, and international levels, e.g., improved implementation and monitoring of EGD, increasing citizen and stakeholder engagement, increased transparency of and interoperability of data and data platforms, etc.

Task 8.5: EU relevant Regional Seas and Global level Policy Dialogue and Action Agendas (M6-36) Task leaders: SPA/RAC and AUA; Participants: All

Iliad is an important initiative that will significantly impact progress on objectives of DestinE initiative and Mission Starfish 2030, offering powerful tools for advancing the EGD and Digital Strategy. It also offers the EU opportunity to showcase its advances and leadership role on the aims of the Digital Transformation toward a Global Environmental Data Strategy (GEDS). Iliad will organise at least three high-level discussions on the opportunities and challenges of addressing the policy goals DTOs are envisioned to address. The discussions will be built around outcomes of Iliad and similar work done throughout EU and globally. Iliad will present the values and consistency of the products on those fields in various Regional meetings and Global events including, among others, seminars, workshops and side events of MEAs gatherings, and will retrieve valuable feedback to identify areas where additional focus is needed, where efforts can be scaled up, where there are limits and constraints. That will allow to better adapting the production of outputs to solid scientifically grounded environmental policy implementation needs, so amplifying impact. The focus of the discussions are many but could include: a) data gaps, e.g., high-resolution water column physico-chemical properties (CTD, Chl-a, turbidity, CDOM, Dissolved Oxygen, Dissolved Methane, Dissolved Hydrogen Sulphide and CO2, microplastics content); b) relevant added value of those data applications—e.g., climate vulnerability and risks data products, waves spectral characteristics and direction of microplastics and/or floating litter distribution, prediction of dispersion of petroleum hydrocarbons, marine noise, blooms of jelly fish, algae and others, NIS presence and trends including invasive ones, historical shoreline changes evolution and related coast vulnerability to alterations and trends, potential biodiversity threating overheat, anoxic and light-blocking turbidity events, river inputs and nutrient fluxes, and other threats; c) possibilities for scaling up efforts with existing technology; d) limits and constraints that should could be addressed to accelerate progress toward the goals of DestinE; among others. As part of this task, Iliad will produce a report summarising the outcomes of the dialogues and action agendas for moving forward within the EU and through global collaboration.

Task 9.2: Business case analysis (M1-M18) Task Leader: AGORA; Participants: All

In this task, we will focus on exploring market systems for the Iliad services within context of the identified business cases, following a combined PESTEL and SWOT analysis type. It is focused on identifying the political, legal, economic, social, technological and environmental factors that can act as barriers and enablers of those technologies (proven in the case studies). Therefore, the goal of the task is to define business cases for the Iliad services that can be provided to various customer segments, where and how barriers exist and how these can be cleared. It will be performed in conjunction with Task 8.1 through which major policy gaps will be identified and an inventory of relevant policies. Thus, we will map the shortcomings in the market systems, for which policies, such as integrated support packages, will be developed.

The task will start with an initial desk research to make an analysis of the value proposition for each business case, followed by building a business canvas for each one of them that will map the enabling environment and the key actors in the value chain. This preliminary ‘business case’ will be further enhanced through interviews with market actors. It will provide a full understanding of the current business environment and insights into the needs of current customers. We will then progress towards an improved understanding for each business case by introducing the new business models (Task 9.3), new financial instruments (Task 9.3), market research (Task 9.3) and new policy instruments (WP8).

Task 9.3: Innovative business models (M19 – M30) Task Leader: AGORA; Participants: INTRA, WAVEC, ALSEAMAR, HIDROMOD, Docktech, Ramani, MEEO, ALPHA, TERRASIGNA, THALES, TERRADUE, DEIMOS

Based on the analysis of the business cases, innovative business models will be designed for each of the selected services. For each service, the first phase of business model development is to fully understand any current business model, from the nature of the solution to the role of public and private actors in governance, through financing feasibility. In conjunction with WP8, AGORA will organise a workshop bringing together key staff from the organisation and stakeholders, including financial players and policy makers, who can collectively contribute to the process. As part of the process, a review of the market environment, a competitive analysis of existing services and a strategic Strengths/Weaknesses/Opportunities/ Threats (SWOT) analysis will be conducted.

Following understanding of current business models, we will engage each service to focus on innovative business models. Using the understanding of the current market and customer needs, we will use the Business Model Eco-Canvas (BMEC) to analyse the building blocks of innovative business models adapted to the valorisation of Iliad products and services. Establishing a BMEC is an iterative process that will help gather key data about customer segments, value propositions, costs and revenue streams for the Iliad products. The eco-canvas allows for ‘rapid prototyping’ of business model options, including design and analysis of the supply chain, the value proposition and customer interface, and the cost-revenues model. For each product or service, we will define the questions and assumptions that will need to be tested in order to validate the business model and value proposition, including: (a) the relevance and value of the proposed product/service proposition to potential customers; (b) key resources and partners which will underpin the ability to deliver the new business model; (c) channels and partners required to sell and deliver value to customers; and (d) financial elements (costs and revenues). As a novel and valuable contribution, we will also facilitate the feasibility of investment in those innovative business models. At the end of this business model validation process as part of the DBTBIF, we will have insights on key barriers and drivers the company has identified for implementing innovative business models and these insights will be the base for developing tailored business plans for each Iliad service. Based on these business model analyses; financial projections can be made for estimating the global revenues from Iliad services that will secure the long-term sustainability of the DTO, the DBTBIF, Marketplace and the Digital Blue Growth Hub.

Task 9.4: Exploitation and business plans (M25-M36) Task Leader: AGORA; Participants: INTRA, WAVEC, ALSEAMAR, HIDROMOD, Docktech, Ramani, MEEO, ALPHA, TERRASIGNA, THALES, TERRADUE, DEIMOS

In the overall context of the project-specific innovation management process, building upon a common understanding of business models, entrepreneurship and the outcomes of the demonstrative case studies, a comprehensive exploitation strategy and business planning process. It will involve all partners and reflect their common, as well as proprietary, interests in outcomes which are sustainable and successful, globally in markets for services related to the management marine and maritime assets. This will include strategic business plans (one per business case) including market analysis (market size, competitors’ analysis), IPR landscape, SWOT, PEST and “Porter’s Five Forces” type of analysis; and framework agreements between technology suppliers and relevant parties (e.g. end-users, as well as investors for follow-up funding etc). It will involve integrating project outcomes from other WPs into a comprehensive exploitation strategy, including identifying relevant market(s), most promising customers, and core business case(s), modelling the prospective business development, and developing coherent business plans. Business models and planning will reflect on and extrapolate the following aspects: Fundamental Value Proposition, markets, segmentation, client structure, products to be offered, market analysis, competitor analysis, marketing, pricing, governance, legal framework, regulatory impact, revenue model (e.g. use by consortium partner, third-party licensing, joint ventures), costing. It will also include the preparation of formats of agreements with potential customers for sale or provision of products or services within joint exploitation. The exploitation plan will also contain a roadmap for taking the outputs to TRL9. Exploitation possibilities will be explored both in terms of exploitation by individual partners and the consortium as a whole. The elaboration of the exploitation plan will be an iterative and continuous process, led by AGORA, in close collaboration with the providers of the services and those hosting the DTO. Based upon the market exploitation plans, business plans for the Iliad services will be developed.

Furthermore, the Consortium will analyse different options of legal entities through which the Beneficiaries could jointly continue to sustainably operate and maintain the Iliad DTO, the DBTBIF, the Marketplace, the Digital Blue Growth Hub and associated services after the funding phase of the project. As part of this, the Consortium is analysing and preparing the terms and conditions that will govern the relationship among the Beneficiaries under a legal entity for long-term operation of Iliad, (such as corporate statutory documents and agreements between the legal entity and Beneficiaries. The Consortium is also analysing sustainability aspects of branding and trademark. In parallel, the Consortium will review the individual exploitation intentions and claims of each partner through a MULO (Making and selling an output; Using to produce another output; Licensing to third parties; and providing Other services) exercise. This exercise will highlight the value-added benefits generated by Iliad, besides the user products described above. The individual exploitation claims will inform the development of the joint exploitation plan for a possible future legal entity which will keep operating the DTO, products and services when the Iliad project will end.

Task 9.5: Legal Issues Analysis (M2 – M36) Task leader AGORA; Participants: TechnipFMC, VPF, AGIR, BPIC, CTAQUA, EWP, AMA.

This Task undertakes an extensive overview of applicable legislation on the EU level and national legislation of key non-EU countries. Special focus will be devoted to detecting gaps, overlaps or contradictions within the current legislation, either at EU level or between the national level and the EU level. Based on this desk research, an analysis will be made in order to show the layout of the Digital Blue Economy scene and already prima facie identify if the new technological solutions proposed in the Iliad project will present special advantages and/or challenges, given the state of the applicable regulation. Among others, given the possible use of AI for tracking/profiling the subjects involved in the research, this will include consulting the "Ethics guidelines for trustworthy AI" proposed by an independent High Level Expert Group set up by the European Commission.

Furthermore, the present regulatory landscape and the underlying ethical principles will be surveyed in order to identify to which extent the new End-user Services present advantages and/or challenges to the regulatory regime and the underlying ethical principles, especially with regard to the multi-use of the data. Also, regulatory and ethical issues related to the transfer of data from and to the EU will be surveyed. An initial version of the IPR register will be created at the start of the project. However, at the stage of producing the DTO and deploying it for a specific user, the consortium would reach a preliminary agreement on the legal arrangement. Recommendations will be made regarding improved legal regimes as to facilitate flexibility to a large audience and to facilitate wide adoption of project results, while allowing rewarding those that invested. Focus will be on a realistic regulatory solution. The task will be performed in the early stage of the project (M2-M14) and will have a second iteration later on (M28-M36) to include any changes that might have not been considered in the first iteration of the work.

Task 9.6: Intellectual Property Management (M1- M36) Task Leader: AGORA; Participants: all WP9 partners

The Innovation Board will ensure that all IP is identified as it is created. All IP is assessed by the PE; protected, as appropriate, and subject to considerations and decisions of the owning party, before any public disclosure. Each idea/project result will be initially assessed by the Innovation Board, making recommendations to the PE concerning the need/strategy for protection of each output. Special emphasis will be put in designing appropriate technology transfer arrangements to facilitate access of the novel technology to additional technology and service providers especially SME’s. The Innovation Board will advise on the appropriate IP protection strategy to allow such technology transfer arrangements. The Innovation Board will make periodic reports to all partners on the activities/outcomes/decisions arising from this task.

Task 10.2: Establishing and operating the Iliad Digital Blue Technology and Business Innovation Facility (BTBIF)(M13 – M36) Task Leader: AUA; Participants: All

This task will establish the Iliad BTBIF, Iliad’s support facility to promote business development and innovation in the circular and digital blue economy of ESB and beyond. The Facility will operate through Iliad partners that will provide services to support technology transfer, business development, identifying possible implementation solutions, business incubation programs as well as relevant best practices, mentoring and coaching of individual companies to introduce innovative products to the markers or present them to investors. The BTBIF will identify capacity and resource gaps to promote business development, leveraging the Iliad DTO and services to bridge gaps. Through the BTBIF, support packages developed for very early start-ups operating in the area to include use of Iliad DTO for business development (T11.5) will be provided. Also, the BTBIF will provide assistance to identify solutions for implementation in terms of: start-up operations (e.g. identification of incubators, third party support for management – legal, administrative), investors (e.g. identification of venture capitalists in the market sector, identification of business angel networks), funding (e.g. identification of financial instruments for start-ups or new businesses from banks, local governments, national funding, identification of crowdfunding platforms and schemes.

Task 10.3: Continuous support for local community workshops (M12 – M36) Task leader: SAPIENZA; Participants:WAVEC, SEA GUST, NIMRD, TUV, FORTH , UoH, EURISY, BUas; VPF, BLB

This task assists the partners in the creation and hosting of local workshops, organised in the pilot countries, which will facilitate the individual, institutional, and infrastructure capacity including exchanges among scientists as well as building long-term partnerships with academia (e.g. universities, vocational schools, high schools, etc). Through the local workshops, sustainable partnerships between local stakeholders will be established and local capacity development, including training, for different end-users will be initiated. The capacity development materials will be provided for local workshops in online repositories in reusable formats.

Task 10.4: Training and workshops (M8 – M36) Task leader: SPA/RAC ; Participants: WAVEC, SEA GUST, NIMRD, FORTH, EURISY, VPF

Regular training and workshops are given to pilot site managers and their technical staff. These workshops aim to develop capabilities as these groups will need to operate the pilots after the duration of the project. The workshops will focus on three different sets of skills: Technical, Managerial, Business and Marketing. Iliad early-career professionals/educators will participate in forming course materials and structure. As a result of the training, the skills (technical, managerial, business and marketing) of site managers will be significantly improved. An annual meeting of site managers is done as a side event in the General Assembly or similar, during which operational issues are discussed and experiences exchanged.

Task 10.5: Establishing and operating the Iliad Academy (M8 – M36); Task leader: AUA; Participants: All

Webinar series, hackathons and summer/winter schools will be organised regularly and form the basis for the Iliad Academy. Targeting early career scientists and young winter/summer schools will build an educated workforce that will be needed for the increased demand and new market opportunities. These summer/winter schools will be a combination of theoretical lectures, hands-on practical sessions and field trips to pilot sites, organised and delivered by partners and guest lectures/experts. The courses address the capacity development needs identified in T10, . The summer/ winter schools shall take place as physical meetings as well as online workshops/webinars. Requests from Charters of Professionals (Engineers, Architects etc) for lifelong learning will be addressed The program/content of these activities will be included in how-to create/update curricula, create MOOCs, and credit systems for lifelong learning systems.

Task 10.6: Demonstration novelties of Iliad DTO, services and tools (M24–M36) Task leader: BLB; Participants: NAMES, FORTH, TUV, SEA GUST, Eurisy, BUas, BLIT, C4IR Ocean, INESC

National workshops in various countries are planned to demonstrate and present the operational DTO to local end-users and stakeholders. To ensure a wider uptake and knowledge transfer, these sessions will also be made available online via webinars. An interactive story map including virtual reality will be developed in collaboration with WP6 and WP11 that end-users and higher-level entities can explore, showing the progress of the project in an informative and interactive way. Additionally, meetings will be set up to address representatives of the Iliad Advisory Board and transnational Observation and Monitoring initiatives, such as CMEMS, Emodnet, EuroGOOS, C4IR Ocean Data Platform, and GEO Blue Planet Initiative where all key results, novelties and potential of Iliad will be presented. Cross-sectoral workshops with people from different fields (e.g. industry, policy and academia) will be set up to raise awareness of the DTO and its potential in their respective sector.

Task 10.7: Business Start-ups and Policy Innovation Competitions (M31-36) Task Leader: AUA; Participants: All

In connection with Iliad Academy, Hackathons, and educational/training activities, Iliad BTBIF and PIF will organise two competitions that engage youth and young adults to pursue Digital Blue Economy opportunities. One of the competitions will focus on product innovation and business start-ups while the other will focus on policy innovations. Iliad consortium partners will mentor competing teams, offering them their business, technical, and policy know-how.

Task 10.8: Global uptake through international standardisation and community building (M1-M36) Task Leader: OGC Participants: SPA/RAC, BLB, IEEE

This task integrates Iliad with a global community and innovation hub, centred around the Oceans and Meteorology working group of the Open Geospatial Consortium. The goal is to ensure sustainability of project results and extended collaboration opportunities far beyond the reach of the project consortium. Key element of this activity is the integration of Iliad results into international standardisation activities. The task will interweave project ideas and results with international efforts in the context of DTO and coordinates developments with key partners such as the International Hydrographic Organisation (IHO). Working closely with partners on a global scale, this task ensures internationally aligned cooperative developments, knowledge transfer, and sharing.

Task 11.2 Development of a comprehensive Outreach, Communication and Dissemination plan (M1 – M36) Task Leader: BLIT Participants: All Participants.

A comprehensive outreach, communication and dissemination plan will be developed to cover both internal and external project communication. The plan will be developed in collaboration with partners leading stakeholder activities in other work packages. The plan will define the key messages of the project, clearly identify specific target end-user groups and define the most appropriate one and two-way channels of communication e.g. Social Media, Posters, Brochures, Workshops, Exhibitions, Business events, VR etc. The plan will include a series of metrics that will be used to meaningfully assess the effectiveness of each communication channels used to reach end-users. The initial plan will be delivered in M6 (D11.2a) and will focus on promoting the Iliad project, its main aims and objectives and how its products and services will increase monitoring, understanding and knowledge as well as support blue growth. It will be reviewed annually throughout the project to monitor its effectiveness in reaching target end-user groups using the metrics defined. The plan will be updated by M13 to shift the focus of communication activities toward the key products and services of the Iliad project and their specific benefits to target end-user groups (D11.2b).

Task 11.3: Graphics and communications materials toolbox (M1 – M36) Task Leader: BLIT, AGORA Participants: All

This task is about the implementation of the channels of communication identified in the Iliad outreach dissemination and communication plan. They will consist of a combination of graphics materials and communication strategies that will provide a comprehensive toolbox for effective outreach and dissemination to end-users and stakeholders. All graphics and communication materials will incorporate the Iliad project logo and identity (Task 11.1). The toolbox will be available on the Iliad project website (Task 11.1). The toolbox may include (a) Iliad presentation and report templates, (b) Leaflets, flyers, posters and/or banners for promotion of the project or specific products or services to target end-user groups, (c) The project website, (d) E-Newsletters (at least 4 e-Newsletter will be distributed during the project), (e) Social Media, (f) Press releases, (g) Workshops, conferences, focus groups and other events (h) VR demonstrations and (i) Scientific publications.

Task 11.4: Communication plan for thePromotion of the Iliad DTO (M13 – M36) Task Leader: BLIT Participants: All

The Iliad DTO, including the Iliad APP Marketplace, will be branded and marketed as its own entity prior to its launch later in the project. It will be a key project output and it is intended for continued use beyond the scope of the Iliad project by commerce, policy, science and other key end-user groups. As such, effective promotion of the Iliad DTO and APP Marketplace will require a separate communication plan from that of the Iliad project. The task will develop a communication plan for the Iliad DTO and implement the plan. It will then (a) Create DTO graphics e.g. brochures, posters, (b) Establish DTO Social Media channels, (c) Promote the DTO at stakeholder events (d) Create use-case examples in collaboration with other WP’s, and (e) Promote the Iliad APP Marketplace (APP) targeted specifically at developers and other providers of apps, plug-ins, interfaces, raw data, citizen science data, synthesised information, increased functionality and value-adding services to ensure their awareness of the Iliad APP Marketplace and its benefits and incentives.

Task 11.5: High-level scientific outputs to engage citizens & communities (M1 – M36) Task Leader: BLIT Participants: SAPIENZA, AGORA, SPA/RAC , AUA, SEA GUST, EURISY, INESC

This task will work with WPs 8, 9 & 10 to design high-level scientific products specifically designed to engage a range of citizen groups at national and regional levels. The products will be attractive and engaging graphics e.g. leaflets distributed locally in public places e.g. tourist information centres, aquariums etc and electronically e.g. target distribution via Social Media.

Task 11.6: Connecting with other Digital Twins, consortiums and partners (M1 – M36) Task Leader: AGORA: Participants: All participants.

From the inception of the project, and in accordance with the Outreach, Communication and Dissemination plan (11.2), a network of related project consortiums, digital twins, data providers and other potential partners and collaborators will be established. This network will be essential in providing channels for communication, working collaboratively to improve standards, capacity development and education.

Task 11.7: Iliad Symposium (M30 – M36) Task Leader: AGORA, AUA, BLIT: Participants: All

A symposium will be organised at the end of the project to present the key outputs of the Iliad project to stakeholders. The event will be widely promoted and be open to all target end-user groups and stakeholders, including science, policy, start-ups and commerce, education, media, citizens etc.

Task 12.2 - Overall Co-ordination (M1 – M36) Task Leader: INTRA; Participants: Agora, SINDIG, DUTH, BLB

The Coordinator will be responsible for the co-ordination of the different Work Packages and scientific and technical aspects of the project. For this purpose, the Coordinator will be supported by a Scientific, Innovation and Administrative Manager. Together they form the PEB. The Coordinator will also be responsible for the day-to-day communications with the EC as well as for all technical, administrative, financial, ethical and legal issues as well as for the management of the knowledge. Work Packages leaders will be responsible for the coordination of their Work Packages and task leaders will be responsible for the coordination of their respective tasks. The overall coordination also includes ensuring that the project objectives related to impact and societal engagement are achieved. The Coordinator will be the chairman of the General Assembly and the PEB.

Task 12.3 - Establish communication flow and methods (M1 – M6) Task Leader: Agora; Participants: INTRA, SINDIG, DUTH, BLB

The communication flow will be bottom-up and top-down through the typical communication methods such as: meetings, e-mail, phone, fax etc. In particular a cooperative working method using the website will be established. The system will be organised with a structure in which all participants can leave and download information to and from the different WPs and tasks according to their role and responsibilities. Passwords will be facilitated to all partners as well as to the EC.

Task 12.4: Data management (M1 – M36) Task Leader: DUTH; Participants: INTRA, Agora, SINDIG, BLB

Each WP leader will develop a data management plan for the work conducted in their WP. This will require them to liaise with each member of their WP and to document the precise nature of the data to be gathered, ethical issues associated with these data and their storage (e.g. creating an informed consent form), and procedures to be adopted to ensure that the data are recorded in a systematic and safe manner. Discussions on these issues will not only take place within each WP but will also involve the RTD Manager who will ensure that the deposition of data to the secure website archive complies with best practice in data management. Access to this site will be strictly limited and controlled

Task 12.5: Project risk management (M1 – M36) Task Leader: INTRA; Participants: DUTH, SINDIG, Agora, BLB

The PEB will be responsible for continuous risk management (i.e. technical, financial and administrative risk) and for an effective implementation of the contingency plan, which will be periodically reviewed. After each major stage of the project, the PE will conduct a risk assessment of the achieved results and determine in advance if a correction action should be carried out for the next stages. This includes

1. reporting any minor deviations from the project plan to the General Assembly (GA);
2. implementing the GA recommendations in the contingency plan associated with the specific WP in question;
3. drafting additional or alternative contingency plans, if needed, together with other relevant persons (e.g. the WP Leader in question;
4. communicating the conclusions from the GA, regarding the revised strategies, to all project members and include them in the project plan; and
5. In the event of more serious problems, convene with the GA the best route forward; the Coordinator will then advise the EU of the problem and seek EU approval for the proposed solution.