IDEATION completed the first version of its Reference Architecture. This foundational work is pivotal to one of IDEATION’s main goals: defining and building an architecture that enables seamless integration and interoperability between the Digital Twin for inland waters and the EU’s Digital Twin Ocean (DTO).

To achieve this, the IDEATION team began by analyzing the DTO’s underlying architecture, communication protocols, and interoperability strategies. This was followed by a deep dive into data interoperability, incorporating widely accepted FAIR principles (Findability, Accessibility, Interoperability, Reusability) and established standards like OpenML, MELODA5, WaterML, and DCAT-AP. This comprehensive approach has provided a robust understanding of both technical and semantic interoperability, paving the way for the Digital Twin for inland waters.

Introducing the IDEATION Reference Architecture: A Flexible, Layered Approach

Instead of a restrictive monolithic design, IDEATION has adopted a flexible and scalable microservice-based architecture, structured into four main layers:

1. Data Layer
2. Interoperability Layer
3. Processing and Orchestration Layer
4. Visualization Layer

This first version is a significant step, and development will continue. The next phase involves exploring a broader suite of technologies and integrating insights from other major EU initiatives like Destination Earth (DestinE).

Crucially, the IDEATION roadmap will remain dynamic, continuously adapting to the concrete requirements and innovation gaps identified through ongoing Multi-Stakeholder Forums (MSFs). This iterative, stakeholder-centric approach ensures that every new capability developed directly supports stakeholder priorities and addresses real-world use cases.