UNITED Project Showcases Potential of Ocean Multi-Use at the Digital Ocean Forum
The UNITED project, co-financed by the European Union Horizon 2020 programme, is set to make a significant impact at the Digital Ocean Forum. This esteemed event, co-organised with Mercator Ocean International and the Flanders Marine Institute, aims to collaborate with stakeholders in defining the goals and aspirations of the European Digital Twin of the Ocean (EU DTO).
UNITED, an acronym for Multi-Use offshore platforms demoNstrators for boostIng cost-effecTive and Eco-friendly proDuction in sustainable marine activities, is a research project dedicated to advancing the concept of ocean multi-use. Running from 2020 to 2023, UNITED aims to provide evidence for the viability of multi-use platforms through five demonstration pilots in the real European marine environment.
The project tackles current bottlenecks related to the large-scale installation of ocean multi-use activities while demonstrating the business synergies and benefits they bring. By addressing potential scaling barriers and providing a roadmap for future multi-use sites, UNITED aims to enhance the technology readiness levels of multi-use solutions, involving industrial actors and integrating knowledge, technologies, and facilities.
The objectives of the EU DTO public session align with UNITED's goals. The session will present the EU DTO vision and report on progress to date, featuring esteemed experts from approximately 50 invited research projects. The insights gathered from technical workshops will help shape the development of the EU DTO and its potential contributions to the Ocean communities.
The success of the UNITED pilots will not only boost the capacity of the Blue Economy within European waters but also increase efficiency and multi-functionality between traditionally competing interests in the maritime sector. Stay tuned for updates on the UNITED project's contributions to the Digital Ocean Forum and its commitment to driving sustainable and innovative solutions for a thriving ocean ecosystem.
For more information: https://www.eu4oceanobs.eu/event/digital-ocean-forum-2023/
