Frequently Asked Questions
Check out the most frequently asked questions about DestinE, its components and the opportunities for the community.
Interested in learning about DestinE?
You can find detailed information about DestinE, its implementation timeline and components in the dedicated area.
You can find all the upcoming DestinE procurement in the dedicated Procurements area.
The listing includes both upcoming and open procurement coming primarily from the three entrusted entities: ESA, ECMWFEuropean Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts More and EUMETSAT.
Other opportunities are listed in Other procurements.
The DestinE Platform makes available an open ecosystem of services, including:
- Data access services – providing access to DestinE Digital Twins data and multiple other sources
- Data processing services – enabling users to exploit and manipulate the data
- Visualisation services – allowing users to present and share insights through interactive storytelling experiences
In addition, external service providers can be involved as:
- Onboarded Services – external services integrated into the platform, also including the first DestinE Use Cases
- Federated Services – external ecosystems and services accessible via the DestinE PlatformSelf-standing DestinE system component, interfacing with the More
The Weather-induced Extremes Digital Twin (Extremes DT) will provide a new capability for monitoring meteorological, hydrological and air quality extremes complementing existing capabilities from national and European services. The system consists of a global component that will produce very high-resolution (2 to 4km) weather simulations for the coming four days, and a regional component that can be activated and configured on demand, allowing experts to zoom-in on extreme events taking place in Europe (at resolutions between 500 and 750m). The On-Demand component is being developed by a European consortium led by Météo France.
The Digital Twin Engine (DTE) is the software environment behind the digital twins. The DTE manages the complex data flows between the different High Performance Computing systems across Europe, made available by EuroHPC JU, and the cloud computing resources, and particularly the Data Lake and the Core Service Platform.
Among other features, the DTE will enhance data handling, set a framework for the fusion of observations and simulations for running the DT simulations. The DTE also allows the integration of the sectors most impacted by climate change, allowing to tailor the DTs data to the users needs. The DTE is also essential to enabling the porting and optimisation of codes with a focus on interoperability and interactivity.
The DTE being developed by ECMWF and its partners provides a common system to the present and future digital twins included in DestinE, and allows users to interact with the data.
The DestinE Platform is the entry point to the DestinE ecosystem, addressed to a diverse community of users, providing easy access to applications, tools and services supporting DestinE data exploitation.
The platform is built on an open, flexible and secure Cloud infrastructure, integrating state-of-the-art technologies such as Artificial IntelligenceArtificial Intelligence is the capacity of an algorithm to a More and Machine LearningField of statistical research focused on training computatio More tools and extreme-scale data analytics. It is conceived as an open Framework, fostering the integration of related third-party initiatives and facilitating interoperability with other ecosystems.
The Service RegistryCatalogue of all services, integrated in the DestinE Platfor More, available from the DestinE PlatformSelf-standing DestinE system component, interfacing with the More, serves as the comprehensive catalogue of all applications and services integrated in the DestinE PlatformSelf-standing DestinE system component, interfacing with the More, providing detailed information and allowing access to each service.
The DestinE Data Lake (DEDL) provided by EUMETSAT, interfaces with the DestinE PlatformSelf-standing DestinE system component, interfacing with the More and the Digital Twin Engine. The Data Lake provides seamless access to data in accordance with the DestinE Data PortfolioThe DestinE Data Portfolio is tailored to user needs and com More.
The Harmonised Data Access API (HDA) provides discovery and access to data, regardless of data type and location. In addition Priority Services to support Big Data processing services to work efficiently with and near DestinE data. The geographically distributed architecture of DEDL across Europe provides advanced and highly scalable computing capabilities to support AI/ML close to data holdings.
Federations are implemented inter alia upon existing data lakes such as ESA, EUMETSAT, ECMWFEuropean Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts More and Copernicus DIAS, as well as complementary data from diverse sources like in-situ or socio-economic data.
The Climate Change Adaptation Digital Twin (Climate DT), delivered by ECMWF, is the first attempt to operationalise multi-decadal climate projections at fine resolution (5km to 10km) providing earth-system and impact sector information at the spatial and temporal scales where the impacts of climate change are felt.
The Climate DT will produce updated climate system projections for the decades ahead every year, whereas current climate projections are updated every several years. These updated climate projections will serve to investigate the impact of policy decisions or unprecedented events through dedicated bespoke simulations.
Finland’s CSC leads the international consortium behind the Climate DT, which will operate on some of the largest supercomputers in Europe thanks to the strategic access granted by the EuroHPC Joint Undertaking.
Destination Earth is an ambitious initiative of the European Commission, implemented by three entrusted entities, namely the European Space Agency (ESA), the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) and the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT).
The goal is to create a digital replica of the Earth system to support responding and adapting to environmental challenges posed by climate change and extreme events.
The components that enable Destination Earth:
- the DestinE Platform developed by ESA, providing decision-making tools, applications and services, based on an open, flexible, and secure cloud-based computing system;
- the Data Lake developed by EUMETSAT, providing harmonisation of data access, facilitation of access to the Digital Twins data outputs, and big data and near data processing;
- The Digital Twin Engine and the first two high-priority Digital Twins developed by ECMWF, providing bespoke km-scale simulations to enable better responding and adapting to the impacts climate change and extreme-weather events.
The components of Destination Earth will be made operational as part of the European Commission’s Digital Europe Programme and in support of the Green Deal.
Registered Users gain access to a series of functionalities provided by the DestinE Platform, that include:
- Access to a selection of Services in the catalogue
- Onboarding form, for users wishing to become DestinE PlatformSelf-standing DestinE system component, interfacing with the More ServiceRegular provision of technological capabilities, resources, More Providers
- Support for technical enquiries on all Services
- Possibility to request Upgraded Access to all available Services for specific user categories
A digital twin is a replica of a system. The digital twins (DT) of DestinE will replicate different areas of the Earth-system.
The initial high-priority DTs on weather-induced extremes and climate change adaptation are highly accurate replicas of the Earth system simulating the system behaviour at the scales where extreme events happen, and the effects of climate change are felt. They combine several cutting-edge Earth system models and observations together with the most advanced digital technologies, machine learning and artificial intelligence, and are integrated and interoperable with applications for the sectors most affected by climate change and extremes.
DestinE’s digital twins are a step change for Earth system simulations in terms of quality, impact and interactivity. Developed by ECMWFEuropean Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts More in cooperation with over 90 institutions from across Europe, the first two digital twins on Climate Change Adaptation and Weather-induced Extremes exploit the latest breakthroughs in weather and climate science, digital technologies, AI and machine learning.
Yes! Openness is foundational to DestinE’s community's mission. DestinE aims its community members to feel comfortable sharing their experiences, knowledge, and even the challenges they face.
We believe that fostering trust through open communication is essential for building a strong and supportive community. Active participation and exchange of information and insights are strongly encouraged.
Whether you're asking a question, offering advice, or sparking a discussion, your contributions are valued. The DestinE Users Community is a space for everyone. DestinE actively strives to create an environment where everyone feels welcome to contribute and learn from others.
ServiceRegular provision of technological capabilities, resources, More providers who wish to integrate their own services onto the platform need to register a DestinE Platform account and follow the Onboarding process available on the DestinE PlatformSelf-standing DestinE system component, interfacing with the More. Full support is provided throughout every step of the process.
Joining the DestinE Community is easy!
Simply register your interest by visiting Join the DestinE Community on the DestinE website.
Once registered, you'll receive updates and announcements about upcoming community events, discussions, and more!
Yes, users can explore essential information about the DestinE Platform without registering. This includes access to public documentation, the lists of available services, as well as support for general enquiries.
Do you have more questions?
In case you have more questions, please visit our Communication Kit page. Otherwise, you can submit your inquiry through the Contact Us page and we will address it as soon as possible.