Hydrological models as web services: results from EVOp and ESPA projects

Transcription

1 Environmental Virtual Observatories: managing catchments with wellies, sensors and smartphones Hydrological models as web services: results from EVOp and ESPA projects 28th February 2013

2 Contents Background Context What s a web service? Advantages of WS Services OGC standards Data Management Processing Visualisation Cloud Computing The projects EVOp ESPA Conclusions

3 Contents Background Context What s a web service? Advantages of WS Services OGC standards Data Management Processing Visualisation Cloud Computing The projects EVOp ESPA Conclusions

4 Context Hydrologist s work consists of some general tasks: retrieve data, organise data, analyse/process data, communicate data & results.

5 Context Hydrologist s work consists of some general tasks: retrieve data, organise data, analyse/process data, communicate data & results. MANY software HIGH maintenance & SHALLOW learning curve LOW efficiency!

6 Context Hydrologist s work consists of some general tasks: retrieve data, organise data, analyse/process data, communicate data & results. MANY software HIGH maintenance & SHALLOW learning curve LOW efficiency!... IS THERE A BETTER APPROACH?

7 What s a web service? Facebook, Youtube, Twitter... are web services!... Store, share, process, visualise! Why not use hydrological models as web services?

8 Advantages of WS Based on worldwide accepted standards (e.g. OGC) No hardware requirements (only an internet connection). No software requirements (only an internet browser). Existing routines and workflows can be shared to avoid duplication of effort The majority of WS is based on FREE and Open Source Software.

9 Contents Background Context What s a web service? Advantages of WS Services OGC standards Data Management Processing Visualisation Cloud Computing The projects EVOp ESPA Conclusions

10 Open Geospatial Consortium standards Sensor Observation Service, to interact with sensor networks Web Processing Service, to process data Web Mapping Service, to visualize geographical information

11 Data Management Web-based database management service:

12 Database connections Local database Remote database Sensor networks using OGC-SOS standard:

13 Processing Models are deployed as processes using the OGC WPS standard: Common implementations: PyWPS 52-North-WPS Zoo-WPS... Requests: Get Capabilities Describe Process Execute

14 Request & Response Typical Request:... xxx.com/pywps/pywps.cgi?service=wps&version=1.0.0& request=getcapabilities Typical Response:

15 Visualisation Example integration of WMS and WPS to interact with maps & models

16 Cloud Computing Delivering hosted services over the Internet is called Cloud Computing.

17 Contents Background Context What s a web service? Advantages of WS Services OGC standards Data Management Processing Visualisation Cloud Computing The projects EVOp ESPA Conclusions

18 Environmental Virtual Observatory pilot for the UK The Environmental Virtual Observatory pilot is developing a range of cloud services and portals to demonstrate how cloud technology can be used to address environmental issues. These include: a variety of data services, examples of web-enabled environmental models, a suite of on-line local community tools.

19 EVO Demos

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33 Environmental Virtual Observatory for Ecosystem Services and Poverty Alleviation for South America This project explores whether web service technologies can be useful in a poverty allevation context. Two case studies: in the Andes and the Amazon. We are developing techniques and methods for: the identification of priority issues and beneficiaries, communication of model simulations, integrating local knowledge and practice in modelling systems.

34 ESPA portal

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41 Contents Background Context What s a web service? Advantages of WS Services OGC standards Data Management Processing Visualisation Cloud Computing The projects EVOp ESPA Conclusions

42 Conclusions Web services are powerful and versatile technologies Cloud computing can considerably boost the efficiency of many processing tasks. Using Virtual Observatories (Web Services + Cloud) hydrological modelling becomes more cost-effective Virtual Observatories are excellent solutions for projects characterized by a participatory approach because they can be tailored to approach non-expert users and involve them in the decision making process.

43 Thanks for your attention. CLAUDIA VITOLO