Advancing Earth system science through innovation – the SIOS innovation award programme

The Svalbard Integrated Arctic Earth Observing System (SIOS) is a regional observing system for long-term measurements in and around Svalbard, Norway, addressing Earth System Science (ESS) questions related to Global Change. The observing system builds on the extensive and diverse world class research infrastructure already established in Svalbard by institutions from many nations. This includes a substantial capability for utilising remote sensing resources to complement ground-based observations. SIOS currently has 29 members from 10 countries who collaborate to develop the observing system and share infrastructure, data and knowledge.

SIOS has established an innovation award programme for initiatives that develop an innovative technology or method to improve observation capability or decrease the environmental footprint of research and monitoring in the field of Earth System Science in Svalbard.

Up to now, four projects have received the award, whereof one project has been implemented and three are currently being developed. This talk will present the concept of the innovation award and the winning projects.

Hodson, A et al. "A Terrestrial methane seepage observatory" - the project implemented real-time, continuous methane emission monitoring from a representative coastal hotspot for methane emission: the Lagoon Pingo near Longyearbyen.

Santarelli M et al. "Develop an Automatic Climate Station prototype for remote sites observations in the Arctic" - the project aims to increase the observational capacity of standard automated weather stations used for monitoring atmospheric variables. It will develop  and test an integrated solution with a hydrogen-based energy storage system for storing available power from renewable sources (photovoltaics and wind energy). The solution will demonstrate advantages of the hydrogen-based storage system as compared to traditional battery storage in terms of compactness, energy storage efficiency, environmental sustainability, and long-term storage under intermittent energy sources.

Jonassen M et al. "Mobile Atmospheric Observations in Svalbard" - the projects aims to develop a prototype atmospheric boundary layer observing system to increase the coverage of in-situ observations in the Arctic. The idea is to mount meteorological sensors on snowmobiles and belt wagons that are regularly used during field operations. These mobile platforms represent a great untapped potential for filling data gaps in the operational network of weather stations.

Teruzzi L et al. “Snow Physical properties and Assessment of Radiative transfer in the snowpacK” (SPARK) - the project will design and validate a custom optical probe for measurement of light propagation, snow stratigraphy and grain size directly in the field. This is a completely new experimental approach which will help scientists to understand the complex interplay between light, ice, photochemical and biological activity: critical knowledge for predicting Arctic climate feedbacks, ecosystem responses, and broader Earth-system dynamics.