| Project Detail |
Cost-effective sensor networks to measure rainfall in Africa
Measuring hydrological variables like rainfall, soil moisture, river flow and bathymetry at less than 10 % of the current cost is important. Reduced costs are necessary for a realistic business model for services through the Global Earth Observation System of Systems, or GEOSS. The EU-funded TEMBO Africa project will design cost-effective sensor networks (financed by climate services). Specifically, the project will raise technology readiness levels and improve the practical applicability of these methods. By directly linking sensors and new value-creating services, the project will ensure long-term financial sustainability. For the African market, in particular, the project will develop flood early warning systems, reservoir management and crop germination insurance services.
Objective: Set up cost effective innovative sensor networks that can be financed by climate services built on top of these networks.
Concept: Transformative new methods to measure five essential hydrological variables (rainfall, soil moisture, river flow, bathymetry) at less than 10% of current costs. These reduced costs are essential to have realistic business models for services that cover the costs of building and operating the networks. The five essential variables will be available through GEOSS.
Innovation: Seven new sensing methods will be introduced in Africa. The innovation does not focus only on moving up Technology Readiness Levels of new measuring methods but, especially, on the usefulness and practical applicability of these methods in the specific contexts. The direct linkage of sensors and new value-creating services is part of this innovation because this is essential for long-term financial sustainability. New services assimilate in situ and satellite data in numerical models to make optimal use of strengths of different sources of information.
Knowledge of the African market: Building on earlier research-oriented projects and on experience in development of geo-services in Africa, in-depth knowledge of the opportunities and limitations of the African market is widely available within the consortium. Selection of focus services was based on this knowledge. These focus services are Flood Early Warning Systems, reservoir management, and crop germination insurance. These have been selected as the most promising services in the broader climate-oriented areas of geo-hazards, water management, and agricultural information. |
