We all need a little health check every now and again and our scientific equipment is no different.
This year we are embarking on a new project CreamT (Coastal REsistance: Alerts and Monitoring Technologies) based on our fabulous WireWall wave overtopping measurement sensors. Under CreamT, WireWall will return near-real-time hazard data plus system health checks that will tell us if the sensors are okay and working. In fact it will be the National Oceanography Centre’s first project (and possibly the first in the world) to develop a system where sensors post their own data directly to the ERDDAPdata aggregation tool to be made available in real-time via BODC’s ERDDAP instance.
Sounds pretty good eh?
CreamT can deliver on other levels too.
The more information we can collect the more we can improve data and metadata delivery to support global hazard forecasting. In this project we’re working with the University of Plymouth to nowcast flood hazard measurements from WireWall alongside their overtopping waves and water level model forecasts. ERDDAP provides a data hub with instant access (like a bank account) that make our health checks and hazard data efficient and suitable for downstream applications (like GPS navigation systems). It automatically aligns and organises data and adds important metadata making it easy to compare and share data from multiple sources and sites which can only be a good thing!
As part of getting the UK’s near-real-time tide gauge data into ERDDAP to support smart (condition triggered) monitoring of WireWall, we’ll soon have globally unique IDs for all Global Tide Gauges. This means when they are transmitting information into ocean observing networks the source can be tracked, no matter where it’s from in the world. These tide data are all accessible via the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS), which provides an evidence base to inform Governmental policies around climate change, operational services, and marine ecosystem health.
The advantages of CreamT developing this publicly available near-real-time data platform are many. It will improve real-time flood alerts and has the potential for downstream hazard management services, which for our coastal communities are invaluable. Sea defence observations to hazard service – Fantastic!
It also leads the way to forming the basis of the NOC’s and BODC’s ability to be able to command and control the hazard sensors automatically using other near-real-time data streams to deliver smart monitoring. Our first foray into the Internet of Things!Lots of things to look forward to in the next few months – join us on our journey by following us on twitter @Wirewall_NOC. We’ll be posting about the CreamT technology developments and new deployments of the WireWall equipment on the sea defences at Dawlish and Penzance, and about our progress towards the delivery of new data streams connecting the novel automated monitoring systems and existing monitoring services. Follow our progress @WireWall_NOC and look out for our interactive communications that will engage the public in citizen monitoring and hazard awareness.
