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OpenMI stands for Open Modelling Interface and Environment, a standard for model linkage in the water domain. Integrated catchment management asks for integrated analysis that can be supported by integrated modelling systems. These modelling systems can only be developed and maintained if they are based on a collection of interlinked models. OpenMI has been designed to provide a widely accepted unified method to link models, both legacy code and new ones. To support those adopting the OpenMI, a set of tools has been developed to aid conversion, and simplify the configuration and running of linked models. These utilities make up the Open Modelling Environment. The commercial implications of the OpenMI have been considered both from the points of view of the vendors/suppliers of existing systems and the developers of new models and related tools. OpenMI avoids the need to abandon or rewrite current applications, thus protecting the huge investment in model development. Making a new component OpenMI compliant simplifies the process of bringing it to the market place and ensures it will be interoperable with many other systems.
Brief History of OpenMI
The OpenMI was developed during the HarmonIT project. HarmonIT was a research project supported by the European Commission under the Fifth Framework Programme and contributing to the implementation of the Key Action “Sustainable Management and Quality of Water” within the Energy, Environment and Sustainable Development. Contract no: EVK1-CT-2001-00090. Current development and maintenance is being undertaken through the OpenMI-LIFE project in the Life Environment programme. For more information please visit http://www.openmi-life.org/ Top Founding Fathers Six organizations played instrumental role in the conception and development of the OpenMI standard:
1. RIZA - Dutch Ministry of Transport, Public Works and Water Management The Dutch Ministry of Transport, Public Works and Water Management is responsible for the transportation policies and for water resources management in the Netherlands. The Ministry’s main tasks include provisions for all possible means of transportation: street and highways, waterways, railways, and aviation. The water resources management responsibilities involve protection from floods and droughts and focus on both freshwater bodies (lakes and streams) and the coastal environment. The Dutch Ministry of Transport, Public Works and Water Management draws up innovative policies and ensures their execution and compliance. Furthermore, it actively pursuits continuing learning and sharing of knowledge through international collaborations. The Dutch Ministry of Transport, Public Works and Water Management makes certain that accessibility, safety, and high quality of life are guarded and preserved in the Netherlands. (Source: http://www.verkeerenwaterstaat.nl) Top 2. NERC-CEH : Natural Environment Research Council / Centre for Ecology & Hydrology The Natural Environment Research Council delivers independent research, survey, training and knowledge transfer in the environmental sciences, to advance knowledge of planet Earth as a complex, interacting system. In that manner, it tackles major environmental issues of the 21st century such as climate change, biodiversity and natural hazards. One of NERC’s major research centers is the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (CEH). CEH is the UK's centre of excellence for research in land and freshwater environmental sciences. CEH is particularly interested in the following fields: impacts of climate change, water issues, chemical and physical process in the natural world, sustainable use of natural resources, and the effects of human activities on natural environments. Currently, CEH has eight research sites located in England, Scotland and Wales, and an administrative site within the research councils building at Swindon. (Source: http://www.nerc.ac.uk) Top 3. WL Delft Hydraulics WL | Delft Hydraulics is an independent research institute and specialist consultancy based in the Netherlands. It is well-known for both its experimental facilities available for fundamental and applied research and its software, most of which has been developed and validated in-house. The Institute has been providing clients, at home and abroad, with expert advice and technical assistance on water-related issues such as flood management and river engineering for over 75 years. WL | Delft Hydraulics develops knowledge and tools to deal with present day questions of marine, coastal zone, river, regional and urban water managers and designers of hydraulic structures. To assure an effective R&D output, WL | Delft Hydraulics pursuits cooperation with various concerned parties, such as the problem owners, universities and different research organisations. All of the Institute's research and specialist consultancy activities are carried out under a quality system in accordance with the International Standard ISO-9001. (Source: http://www.wldelft.nl) Top 4. DHI Water & Environment DHI Water & Environment is an independent, international consulting and research Danish organisation with main objectives the advancement of technological development and competence within the fields of water, environment, and health. DHI offers a wide range of consulting services and leading edge technologies, software tools, chemical/biological laboratories and physical model test facilities, as well as field surveys and monitoring programmes. The consulting services are based on the development and application of know-how and advanced technologies within ecology and environmental chemistry, water resources, hydraulic structures and hydrodynamics and other areas related to water environment. DHI Water & Environment is currently designated as: World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Center for Water and Health; Resource Centre for the Global Water Partnership; United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) Collaborating Center for Water and Environment. (Source: http://www.dhigroup.com) Top 5. Wallingford Software HR Wallingford is an independent company specialising in consultancy and research in civil engineering hydraulics and the water environment. Wallingford Software is the software products and systems company within the HR Wallingford Group. Wallingford Software offers a comprehensive range of integrated software solutions in the worldwide water industry regarding water supply and distribution, wastewater and stormwater, river and coastal systems and asset management. Wallington Software’s product design philosophy ensures that its solutions are functionally rich and incorporate as standard many applications and features that its competitors consider as optional add-ons. Its software is the one of choice for many leading water engineering consultancies, utilities and government bodies throughout the world. Based in the United Kingdom, Wallingford Software has offices in the United States, Hong Kong, Malaysia, China and Australia, and a network of approved distributors throughout Europe, Asia and South America. (Source: http://www.wallingfordsoftware.com) Top 6. CHI- National Technical University of Athens The research team CHI (Centre of Hydrologic Information) belongs to the Department of Water Resources and Environmental Engineering of the School of Civil Engineering of the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA). NTUA is the oldest technological university in Greece, founded in 1837. CHI brings together a multidisciplinary group of scientists (engineers, geologists, computer scientists, meteorologists) whose research focus ranges from the development and management of water resources and the evaluation of the related hydraulic works to field surveys, data monitoring and analysis. CHI actively participates in various National and European projects, contributing to the evaluation and understanding of regional, national, and international environmental stresses. (Source: http://www.chi.civil.ntua.gr) Top
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