ESONIM - European Seafloor Observatories Implementation Model

The European Seafloor Observatory Network Implementation Model, ESONIM, builds on the project ESONET CA (European Seafloor Observatory Network) by producing a practical and flexible business plan to establish a cabled seafloor observatory based on the ESONET Porcupine site (CELTNET).
This implementation model includes the architecture and technical specifications of the observatory and its components; a ten-year cash flow forecast and projected revenue for the project; a legal framework for the implementation and an evaluation of the legal issues inherent to multinational collaborations in national and international waters.
While based on the Porcupine site the business plan can be applied at any or all of the other proposed ESONET NoE sites, facilitating the establishment of a European Network by providing the EU Member States with the technical, legal and financial models and arguments to establish one or more pilot cabled seafloor observatories.

The final ESONIM Report can be downloaded from the Reports page

SUMMARY

Long-term, continuous marine monitoring is of fundamental importance to Europe because we need to:
            - devise sensible climate change policies
            - protect our coastal population and infrastructure
            - manage our marine resources

Subsea cabled observatories are the only means of continuously acquiring large amounts of different data in areas where satellites cannot see and are crucial for observing natural processes that are very episodic or that require long time series to detect.

The observatories will provide information on global change, warnings of natural hazards and a basis for sustainable management of the European Seas while also contributing to GMES (Global monitoring for Environment and Security), the main European contribution to GEOSS (Global Earth Observation System of Systems).

Alcatel Submarine Networks and Ifremer have established the technical feasibility and architecture for the CELTNET observatory: A robust, ring design, repeater driven backbone cable that services primary nodes through branching units and spur cables is proposed to provide a link from shore to the remote deep sea sites.

Proposed CELENET cable route

The financial value of CELTNET cannot be accurately defined in a standard cost benefit analysis exercise because it involves the application of new technology whose commercial benefit is difficult to quantify. CELTNET will contribute to risk reduction of impacts on society from unusual weather events as a result of climate change, supporting government policy decisions and insurance company risk analysis.

The primary risks associated with the seafloor observatory design, construction and operation have been identified and addressed in the model agreements and contracts provided in the appendices. Planning and environmental issues for CELTNET have been examined. A partnership option is proposed whereby Marine Institute can benefit from certain statutory rights available solely to the local authority. This option would reduce the risk of cost and time delays associated with objections to planning applications and acquisition of way leave for cable routes on shore.

A business structure was developed based on the forgoing assessment of risks. The ESONET partners could establish a foundation that becomes the framework for the commissioning and ownership of the ESONET ocean observatory sites identified around Europe. ECORD was identified as an appropriate working business model that could be adopted by ESONET to manage the ocean observatory infrastructure.

A financial modelling workbook was developed to allow each ESONET partner to model the financing of construction and operation of each ocean observatory site. The model allows assumptions to be made about capital costs, node deployment costs, operating and maintenance costs, senior debt facility, levels of capital grant, revenue generated, number and timing of scientific payloads deployed etc.  A ten-year cash flow forecast is included in the financial model.
The scientific justification and the technical feasibility of CELTNET are established. A business model for implementation has been proposed and a working example identified. The capital and operating cost and potential revenue generation for CELTNET have been investigated and the level of senior debt with grant aid identified. The ESONET members should now set up the ESONET Foundation (EOOA) to initiate the implementation of observatories using the model Heads of Agreement.

This website provides an overview of the outcomes from each ESONIM Work Package. For more detailed information on the different Work Packages please consult the ESONIM Reports which can be downloaded here.

ESONIM is a Specific Support Action funded under the EU Sixth Framework Programme (FP6)

ESONIM COORDINATOR Marine Institute Ireland - Mick Gillooly

ESONIM PROJECT PARTNERS