Remote Sensing Based Products for Surface Water Management

The Finnish participants in the Remote Sensing for Surface Water Management Project are AffectoGenimap, the Laboratory of Space Technology at Helsinki University of Technology, the Finnish Meteorological Institute, and the Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE). In collaboration with Finnish and Canadian partners, AffectoGenimap develops various services related to different forms of water. In the completed product, satellite-based, real-time data on ice thickness or the amount of snow, for instance, appears as a clear map in the cell phone or on the Internet.

With the map-based interface, water surface temperature and the snow-covered area can be visualized based on the data yielded by the remote sensing image using the map solution provided by AffectoGenimap. A demonstration model on the basis of operationally up-to-date material is currently being developed. The research departments of the consortium and SYKE have drawn up an application for continuing the project within the framework of another undertaking.

The task of Helsinki University of Technology and the Finnish Meteorological Institute is to develop methods for interpreting the image data obtained from natural phenomena with the help of a satellite. The role of SYKE is to process and interpret the material so that it is comprehensible to the end user. It produces the material for AffectoGenimap. AffectoGenimap turns the material processed by these parties into complete services and looks for clients. That means that it is responsible for commercializing the operations.

The satellite-based environmental data is offered for cell phones, the Internet, and the Web Map Service Interfaces. In order to facilitate the task, potential clients have been invited to the executive group of the AffectoGenimap project. The group comprises the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, the Finnish Defense Forces, Kemijoki Oy, and Fingrid Oyj, which operates the domestic trunk line of the Finnish electricity transmission system.


The Finnish industry and research community are playing an active role in this research and development:

• AffectoGenimap Oyj
  AffectoGenimap provides IT solutions integrated into client-specific operating systems for large and medium-sized companies and organizations in the public sector. It is the market leader in Finland in providing control, photogrammetric information, and document and fact management for business intelligence.
  

• Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE)
  The Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE) is a research and expert organization. It researches phenomena related to environmental changes and develops solutions for managing those changes.
  

• Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI)
  The Finnish Meteorological Institute is a diversified service and research organization providing information on the status of the atmosphere to promote common safety, as well as for industry, commerce, and the general public.
  

• Laboratory of Space Technology at Helsinki University of Technology (TKK)

The Canadian participant in the project:

• Noetix research