The Commission is developing the EU Digital Twin of the Ocean (DTO)[1]. It is a is a key element of the EU Mission 'Restore our Oceans and Waters'[2] and aims to provide decision support tools and transform ocean knowledge into actionable solutions for sustainability and resilience.

Currently, the DTO's annual energy consumption is about 60 megawatt-hours (MWh), equivalent to the heating energy of approximately 10 houses.

Of this, 20 MWh is sourced entirely from green energy, while the remaining 40 MWh draws from the French grid, which relies minimally on fossil fuels[3]. Additionally, waste heat from computing is repurposed for heating, resulting in negligible CO emissions from the DTO.

Although energy use is expected to rise as the initiative expands, the DTO adheres to an open science principle that enhances energy efficiency by centralising resources and sharing computing results, preventing redundant data storage and calculations.

The DTO holds immense potential for significant energy savings across various sectors. The World Meteorological Organisation estimated that improved ocean observations and weather forecasts save the maritime industry EUR 1.5 billion annually in fuel costs, avoiding circa 8 million tons of CO emissions.

This is achieved by optimising shipping routes according to ocean currents, wind patterns and wave heights. With the enhanced forecasting capabilities of the DTO, such savings are expected to grow.

To develop the DTO's core infrastructure EDITO[4] the Commission partnered with Mercator Ocean International and the Flanders Marine Institute, who manage the Copernicus Marine Service[5] and European Marine Observation and Data Network programmes[6].

They employ a fully open and co-design approach, engaging with about 100 EU collaborative projects and interested stakeholders through Digital Ocean Fora.