The objective of iNEST (Interconnected North-East) Innovation Ecosystem Spoke 8, coordinated by the University of Trieste was the development of maritime, marine and inland water technologies and the creation of a Digital Twin of the Northern Adriatic Sea. The results were presented during the final event of the project funded by the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP). The event was organised at the San Giusto Castle in Trieste by UniTS and its partners, including the National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics (OGS), the Eastern-Adriatic-Sea Port Authority (PNAEAS) and the Andrea Galvani High-Adriatic Technology Hub (PTAA). ‘The activities of Spoke 8,’ stressed prof. Pierluigi Barbieri, iNEST coordinator at the University of Trieste ‘are inspired by European priorities and the ambitious programme called “Starfish Mission” aimed at knowing, protecting and restoring our waters by 2030. The mission sets out five general objectives: closing the knowledge gap, renewing governance related to the management of marine and coastal environments, regenerating marine and freshwater ecosystems, reaching zero pollution, decarbonising water. The theme of water management and the Blue Economy is taking on increasing economic, political and social interest and touches on multiple sectors, including transport, logistics, security, fisheries, tourism and underwater activities. The NRRP-funded initiative for research-based innovation brings contributions in terms of data acquisition systems, integration of information for sustainable management of coastal areas, technologies for adaptation to climate change’.

The event called ‘Maritime, marine and inland water technologies: towards the Digital Twin of the Upper Adriatic’ was an opportunity to reflect on possible design developments. ‘Researchers from public bodies and innovators from companies in the North-Eastern and Southern Italy,’ explained prof. Pierluigi Barbieri ‘have developed data, models and products generated by specific activities and convergences between contiguous areas.’ Over €6 million funding was allocated to 24 research, development and innovation projects, with 53 beneficiaries, including 39 private bodies and 9 public research bodies from North-Eastern and Southern Italy. 34 small enterprises, 4 SMEs and 6 large enterprises were involved, supporting R&I and collaborative research in the thematic area of Spoke 8.’ The activities of Spoke 8 and those of the companies working with the University of Trieste have focused on applied research, not neglecting organisational, economic and legal aspects that regulate the transition to a more integrated and sustainable vision and management of the marine and aquatic environment in general. The digital transformation of companies operating in the Blue Economy sectors has been identified as a fundamental pillar of the smart specialisation strategy to support the competitiveness of SMEs operating in the iNEST ecosystem, favouring their conversion to new products and services with greater added value, increasing their degree of internationalisation.

The five general objectives 

Biology of marine ecosystems 

The digitalisation of marine life has begun, including life that is still unexplored, thanks to tools capable of mapping physical and genetic aspects: the databases obtained open up new perspectives for innovative sectors, from biotechnology to sustainable fisheries and tourism. A living sea is a productive resource capable of generating value, wealth and future.

Innovation in managing physical and chemical risks and their impact on the hydrosphere 

The Universities of Trieste, Trento and OGS are collaborating on a project that studies the chemical and acoustic risks of the sea, simulates extreme climatic events and analyses the effects of storm surges. Methods are also being developed to reduce the impact of wastewater and monitor pollutants, creating a digital twin to predict and manage environmental balance.

Innovation in sustainable maritime transport 

A new means of tourist transport along the Trieste coast is being developed. Thanks to hybrid-electric propulsion, it can also be used for daily travel. Strategic routes have also been redefined and research infrastructures designed for a sustainable mobility system.

Integrated land-sea maritime and space planning 

The research activity focuses on the coastal areas of North-Eastern Italy, in particular Friuli Venezia Giulia, characterised by the alternation of fresh and salt water, wetlands and dry areas. The project analyses these dynamics from an unexplored perspective: looking from sea to land, with an emphasis on sustainable and integrated mobility between sea, inland waters and land.

A digital twin of the Upper Adriatic 

It is a virtual representation of a physical system that allows you to explore scenarios and obtain answers applicable to reality. The aim is to create a Digital Twin of the Northern Adriatic by integrating observations and models. By providing for the physical and biogeochemical properties of the marine ecosystem, this instrument will support both human activities and environmental protection.