COSYNA Project Structure (Phases)

 Pilot study
A pilot study for COSYNA being more oriented to tidal flats has already been initiated. Part of the COSYNA investment is a feasibility study to consider future integration and extension into a North Sea wide observation and model system.

Project planning

The project plan has three phases:

- a conceptual phase,

- an implementation phase and

- a test and analysis phase.

The conceptual phase incorporates the setup of a project board till the end of 2008. The board will be formed by representatives from the involved KDM institutes, international advisers (e.g. Ridderinkhof, NIOZ, NL; Mills, CEFAS, UK; Hydes, NOC, UK; Sörensen, NIVA, No; EUROGOOS ) as well as representatives from authorities and agencies (BSH, ALR-Husum, Norderney, NPA); and companies such as those involved in WEAs in the North Sea. Till mid 2009 a detailed concept with the establishment and long-term use of the system components with success indicators and milestones will be compiled. At the end of 2009 formal agreements with all partners including rights and duties should be concluded. The conceptual phase should be finalized by a mid term review.

The implementation phase (given a positive conclusion of the review) should take two years, where prototypes of operational, data assimilation procedures are tested. Moreover it should encompass the incorporation of available international data, and numerical studies for prediction and network optimisation. Orders for the construction of building components or available instrumentation are planned during 2010-2011. The construction of components should be finalized by 2012.