1. Roger V. Moore Centre for Ecology and Hydrology UK
Integrated water management and the role of the Open Modelling Interface and Environment (OpenMI)
Roger V. Moore
Centre for Ecology and Hydrology UK
Roger Moore
CEH Wallingford
HarmonIT Co-ordinator
Thank for invitation to speak
The topic of this meeting – how do we deliver research to the users - is one that has and continues to exercise the HarmonIT Consortium
Having examined this problem from day 1 of the project with the three largest commercial players in modelling area, I am convinced there is a gap in the funding mechanism.
More research is rolling off the production line than the users can use – we need to redeploy the available resources
Until this is addressed the take up rate will continue to be low.
My quetsion to the Commission is how do we do we tell the system that something is wrong and to whom do we put forward ideas for rectifying the problem.

2. Summary How ? The OpenMI – what is it? Not a framework
Surface runoff
Evaporation
Precipitation
The OpenMI – what is it?
Not a framework
Not an integrated modelling system
It is an interface standard that allows the run time exchange of data between models
Rainfall runoff model
How ?
Estuary
Coast
Evaporation
River
To build a model linking mechanism for:
run time data exchange between models, databases & tools
In order to:
improve ability to model complex scenarios
Process interactions
Hydraulic model
For further information go to: or

3. This is about … The Users of the OpenMI Catchment decision support
Delivering the OpenMI
Who is it for
What does it do
Delivering the OpenMI - how to take part
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4. Who is the OpenMI for? OpenMI users:
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5. Who is the OpenMI for? OpenMI users: Model coders Tool coders
End-user application builders (including DSS)
Model builders
Model integrators
Specialist end-users
Non-specialist end-users (DSS users)
Government departments, regulators, local government
These are the people whose needs we considered at the outset of the project
Highlights one of the problems in delivering research – the organisations who commission and need research to be done are not the true end users.
Only very rarely is there a commercial reason why anyone should invest their money in making research products operational – very high risk – very low returns
Governments do see it as their job nor do consultants
Return too low for venture capitalists
Investment level not appreciated
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6. What does the OpenMI do?
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7. € Driving forces Competition for scarce resources
Need for integrated water management
Complexity leads to need for decision support
Need for whole catchment models – process interaction
Need for model linking
In the past we have split the catchment “problem” up into a series of sub-problems
Used individual models to answer the sub-problems
Now need to consider process interactions
Decision Support Systems:
use models and information to predict likely outcomes of policy and management decisions
allow the outcome of such decisions to be compared
perhaps, even give advice on the optimal decision to be made
designed for users who are not necessarily experts in modeling or data analysis €
Tourism
Reservoir
Flow
Ecology
Fish
Groundwater
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8. OpenMI objectives To provide a model linking mechanism for:
run time data exchange between models, databases & tools
In order to:
improve ability to model complex scenarios
Climate change
Rainfall runoff
Output data
Input data
User interface
River
GetValues
Reservoir yield
Planning
Ecology
Floods
Objective
To facilitate model linking
Motivation
Users - increased choice
Producers - increased market
N.B. HarmonIT is about the mechanics of linking – not about the validity of linking.
Droughts
Aquifer yield
Water quality
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9. Model linking issues addressed- technical
Econ
W.Res
Linking models of different processes
Linking different spatial representations - 1D, 2D, 3D
Linking different temporal resolutions
Iteration over time
Linking models based on different concepts
3-D
2-D
1-D
Interface
Data WQ
Ecology
Socio-econ.
Flow
Iterate
over
time
For further information go to: or

10. Model linking issues addressed- technical
Linear chain (uni-directional)
Linear chain (bi-directional) D C
Trigger C
Trigger B B A A
A requests B, B requests C, C requests D.
D does its work and returns data to C, C does its work and returns data to B, etc.
A requests B, B requests C, C requests B
B returns a best guess to C. C does its work and returns data to B. B does its work and returns data to A..
Request for data (.GetValues)
What
Where
When
Reply with data
The .GetValues method must always return a value. If necessary, it must interpolate or extrapolate
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11. Model linking issues addressed- technical
The OpenMI allows:
integration across distributed computing systems
(but we leave you to solve the problems)
integration across operating systems
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12. Model linking issues – human and commercial
Cost benefit of migration
Maximising the modeller’s freedom
Ease of migration
Legacy models
Future models
Ease of use
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13. Ease of migration User interface User interface Input data Input data
Rainfall runoff
Output data
Input data
User interface
User interface
Input data
River
GetValues(..)
Output data
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14. Increasing freedom The OpenMI is a standard – it allows:
The OpenMI is a standard – it allows:
models from different groups across the world to be integrated
DSS builders to use the most suitable models
The OpenMI creates:
opportunites for:
Universities
SME’s
The OpenMI leaves all the decisions with the modeller
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15. OpenMI Participation You can register with OpenMI: www.harmonIT.org
Information about OpenMI
Access to documents
Opportunity to comment
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16. OpenMI Participation HarmonIT Panel of experts:
Headed by Johan Van Assel, Aquafin, Belgium
Review architecture, designs & documents
Comment and advise
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17. OpenMI Participation Collaborations, e.g.:
Australian TIME Group via Rob Argent
British Geological Survey
Various initiatives in USA
US Army Corps of Engineers
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18. Belief in the future Analysis of present trends Integration
Legislation
Requirements Study
Requirement common to many domains
HydroInformatics, IEMSS
Today
Requests from outside the project
HR, DHI and Delft converting own models
Feedback from Panel of Experts
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19. Models to be migrated
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20. Aim: A European and international standard
Next steps ?
State of the art 3/2002
Requirements analysis 6/2002
Architecture 12/2003 & 8/2004
Design of linkage mechanism 12/2003 & 11/2004
Design of tools 12/2003 & 11/2004
Implementation and model migration 3/2005
Guidelines 9/2005
Proof of concept 8/2005
Training 6/2005
Aim: A European and international standard
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21. Training and support during HarmonIT
Provisional Programme
WP8 + CatchMod 6th – 9th Dec ’04 Oxford
Open 18th – 20th Jan ’05 Delft
Open 8th – 10th Feb ’05 Wallingford
Open 1st – 3rd Mar ’05 Copenhagen
MODSIM05 ? - ? Dec ’05 Down Under
For further information go to: or

22. Maintaining the OpenMI into the future
Expressions of interest
Need for a structure
Business plan:
Maintain a web site
Provide a mechanism and resources for dealing with bug fixes and upgrades to OpenMI
Provide a self certification process for those wishing to migrate code to the OpenMI
Provide a register of self certified OpenMI Linkable Components
Training courses in wrapping linkable components
Online/Telephone help desk
OpenMI Certification facility
Repository for open source linkable components
Management of an OpenMI User Club
Funding
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23. Funding Options Specific Support Action
Developing the User Community for the OpenMI: Open Door
Aim
To develop a viable user community for the OpenMI
Objectives
Take the outputs of HarmonIT and put them onto a controlled web site.
Maintain and improve the products/services
Establish a user group
Provide training
Identify a way to establish a self supporting OpenMI organisation
Collaboration with US
EUREKA/LIFE?
Own funds
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24. Staying in touch www.HarmonIT.org Register to see: Contacts
Events
Documentation
Contacts
Roger Moore –
Isabella Tindall –
Any member of HarmonIT
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25. The End For further information go to: www.HarmonIT.org Or Contact:
Roger Moore or Isabella Tindall or

26. For further information go to: www. HarmonIT
For further information go to: or

27. Participants UK Netherlands Denmark Germany Italy Greece Czech Rep
The Centre for Ecology and Hydrology
The Institute for Inland Water Management and Waste Water Treatment
The Danish Hydraulic Institute - Water & Environment
WL | Delft Hydraulics
Wallingford Software
University of Dortmund
The Water Research Institute of the Italian National Research Council
The National Technical of University of Athens
The Water Research Centre (UK)
DHI Hydroinform a.s.
Povodí Labe
Hydroprojekt a.s.
Alterra
Cemagref UK
Netherlands
Denmark
Germany
Italy
Greece
Czech Rep
France
For further information go to: or