Towards a European network of ocean technology testing sites

Expected Outcome:

Project results are expected to contribute to all of the following outcomes:

• Harmonized approaches and processes across sites to ensure consistent and simplified access, taking into consideration the sensitivity of marine ecosystems in and around the sites;
• Accelerated innovation cycles for ocean technologies, shortened time-to-market and reduced costs and risks associated with offshore trials;
• Availability of cost-efficient at physical testing sites and expertise reducing the need for specialised in-house equipment and competencies;
• Enhanced ocean technologies ecosystem in support of European leadership in the global market;
• Provision of cost-efficient access to testing sites and expertise, reducing the need for specialised in-house equipment and competencies.

Scope:

The development and deployment of innovative ocean technologies for a wide range of applications are paving the way for more sustainable use of marine resources, for effective ocean monitoring and observation, for enhancing security and safety of offshore operations and infrastructures.

Access to dedicated offshore sites for testing and validating these technologies in real-world marine environments can be cumbersome. There is a need to accelerate the innovation cycles of these technologies and support companies in the transition from laboratory to market-ready solutions. This topic is closely linked with the Technology Infrastructure initiatives under Horizon Europe Cluster 4 – Digital, Industry and Space^[1] and contributes to its overall objective of allowing companies to derisk their R&D&I investments before market introduction and to have ideas and concepts tested and validated in real conditions for faster uptake at commercial scale, while enhancing knowledge and skills, in line with the recommendations of the Commission Expert Group on Technology Infrastructures^[2]. ..

Proposals should originate from European operators of testing sites for ocean technologies. The aim is to establish or expand existing well-connected networks of physical sites centred in various geographical locations, complemented by digital twin -based sites, offering diverse marine environmental conditions across Europe for testing ocean technology prototypes and demonstrators, and supporting the testing process with unique competences and know-how, in line with certification requirements and in a way that sensitive technological developments and Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) are preserved.

The physical testing sites can be complemented by digital twin representations making use of the EU digital twin of the ocean (DTO) public infrastructure. This digital twin-based testing sites are highly effective for testing and validating ocean technologies as they provide a virtual replica of real-world marine environments and then enable accurate simulations and assessments of how technologies will perform in actual conditions, providing a controlled, risk-free environment for testing and validation.

Projects are expected to improve the integration and structure of the European landscape of ocean testing sites, including digital twin-based sites, by involving relevant actors to cover a broad range of sites for various ocean technologies and application areas, including ocean observation and monitoring.

All following issues should be addressed:

• Identification and mapping of testing sites, taking into consideration the sensitivity of marine ecosystems in and around the sites, with involvement of relevant actors and related services, including digital twin-based testing sites if relevant;
• Analysis of user needs and identification of existing gaps in ocean testing sites (physical and digital) and in the provision of services, including certification services, simulation, prototyping support, environmental monitoring and environmental impact assessment related services, as well as obstacles hampering access and use by the industry;
• Set up of an integrated and coordinated European network of testing sites, addressing, in a harmonised and simplified way, issues such as: alignment of access policy and conditions, regulatory framework and governance models, service delivery models, data security issues, protection of trade secrets and IPRs, outreach measures towards new users, SMEs and start-ups in particular; support to training and skills development;
• Measures to support collaboration between academic and research institutions, including European Research Infrastructure^[3], industry players, regulators and investors to accelerate the innovation cycles of marine technologies as well as coordination between geographically dispersed sites;
• Identification of joint investment opportunities to enhance the capacity and the portfolio of services of testing sites (e.g.: potential technological upgrades; access to new sites; provision of new services; etc.) and ensure long-term sustainability.

Proposals are encouraged to link to and build on existing or emerging testing sites with a track record in delivering at sea demonstration/testing services in the fields of ocean technologies as well as to relevant European Research Infrastructures. Proposals are encouraged to support the inclusion of testing sites in less-developed coastal regions and, when relevant, in EU Outermost regions.

This action supports the follow-up to the July 2023 Communication on EU Missions assessment.

[1] Technology Infrastructures are described in European Commission Staff Working Document (SWD 2019/158) as 'facilities, equipment, capabilities and support services required to develop, test and upscale technology to advance from validation in a laboratory up to higher Technology Readiness Levels prior to competitive market entry. They can have public, semi-public or private status

[2] Towards a European policy for technology infrastructures - Publications Office of the EU; User needs for technology infrastructures - Publications Office of the EU

[3] shttps://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/funding/funding-opportunities/funding-programmes-and-open-calls/horizon-europe/research-infrastructures_en