Case study
DATAz – Digital Twin for the Azores Free Technological Zone
Partner
IDMEC (project coordinator)
Industries
Ocean Conservation, Oceanography
Tags
Ocean Monitoring / Marine Biodiversity / Sustainability / Oceanographic Modelling
Summary
DATAz implemented a Digital Twin of the Azores Free Technological Zone (ZLT): a virtual, data-driven representation of the marine environment, designed to support more effective monitoring, forecasting, and management of ocean processes in the region.
Introduction
DATAz created a dynamic virtual representation of one of Europe's largest and most strategic marine areas. By integrating real-time data from ocean sensors, advanced numerical models, artificial intelligence, and interoperable data management platforms, this system enables continuous monitoring and decision support in areas such as marine conservation, maritime safety, climate change adaptation, and the sustainable development of the blue economy. Aligned with national and European initiatives for ocean digitalization, DATAz will provide actionable insights to authorities, researchers, and other users, reinforcing the Azores' role as an international benchmark for innovation and the sustainable management of marine ecosystems.
The projects main results can be visualised in a public portal, which displays live data from the four buoys deployed over the Condor Submarine Mount and near the Faial island and more, including:
- waves and wind data;
- results from numerical models;
- detections of vessels, dolphins and sperm whales;
- tracking of more than 158 fish tagged during the project;
- results from the glider survey performed in June 2026.
Following a strong open-source orientation, detailed user guides for data generation, numerical model codes, and surrogate model architectures were all published in DATAz’s GitHub repository.
Operation to deploy mooring lines in the Condor, with 1-ton concrete anchors.
MOHID, RAINDROP, SWAN & WW3 + corresponding ML Surrogate Models.
AI-based detection of vessels, dolphins and sperm whales.
Acoustic tracking of more than 158 fish tagged during the project.
Results of the glider survey performed in June 2026 can be found in the public portal.
Programme
Aviso de publicitação n.º 10/C19-i08/2025 - “DigitalTwins4SmartTerritories (DT4ST): Gémeos Digitais para Territórios Inteligentes”, ao abrigo do Protocolo n.º 425/2025, celebrado entre a ARTE, IP e a Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia, IP
Partners
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