WITOIL service in the context of Digital Twins - Bridging Oil spill simulations from Medslik-II into digital cloud domains

WITOIL (Where Is The Oil http://www.witoil.com), has been developed to maintain emergency management in case of an oil spill accident. Currently more and more initiatives are integrating traditional modeling systems into Digital Twins (DT’s) and in this context it was done the same for oil spill simulations. The usage of DT systems enables advanced environmental management and emergency response, since they provide close to real-time monitoring, simulation, and analysis, offering tools to predict and manage complex scenarios effectively. WITOIL is containerized through Docker, encapsulating Python workflows, integration scripts, and the MEDSLIK-II model (FORTRAN 90) into scalable environments. This approach ensures portability, efficiency, and reliability for deployment in platforms like iMagine and EDITO.

On the iMagine platform (https://www.imagine-ai.eu/case-study/oil-spill-detection-oil-spill-detection-from-satellite-images), WITOIL-for-iMagine by using Bayesian optimization, the MEDSLIK-II model achieves enhanced accuracy for spill behavior predictions. Users can launch simulations and access results quickly, combining remote sensing past data with modeling in a streamlined workflow for pollution analysis. The system represents one of the first approaches on merging traditional oil spill simulations and machine learning techniques that were applied in the optimisation process.

The EDITO Model Lab (https://edito-modellab.eu/) presents WITOIL-Cloud as a decision support system for oil spill emergency management. It integrates the MEDSLIK-II model, operational meteo-oceanographic services (Copernicus Marine Services and Climate Data Store). With a user-friendly interface, stakeholders can simulate oil spill trajectories and impacts in historical scenarios, enabling informed decision-making. The system’s accessibility democratizes advanced modeling tools, expanding their reach to diverse users.

WITOIL-Cloud's integration of real-time environmental data ensures accuracy and relevance in emergency responses. A real-world case study via the EDITO Model Lab and iMagine platform exemplifies this capability. It was chosen the Syria 2021 oil spill case as an example of usage on both DT to demonstrate the platform capabilities, showing how the platforms could support on future events by exemplifying on a real past scenario

By connecting traditional models with digital twin platforms, WITOIL enhances oil spill modeling's accessibility, and efficiency. These innovations empower stakeholders to address maritime pollution challenges with easier access, quicker response of digital twins in shaping the future of environmental management and emergency response in the case of oil spill accidents.