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Training and Access Opportunities at PLOCAN via AQUARIUS

With summer fast approaching, we spoke to Carlos Barrera, AQUARIUS partner and Head of the Ocean Vehicles Unit at the Oceanic Platform of the Canary Islands (PLOCAN), about their summer school opportunities for early-career scientists and technicians. 

We also took the opportunity to find out more about PLOCAN and the incredible test site facility that they are providing access to through the AQUARIUS transnational access calls.

Tell us more about PLOCAN

The Oceanic Platform of the Canary Islands (PLOCAN) is a singular infrastructure for scientific and technological activities (an ICTS) based in the Canary Islands with the aim to build, equip and operate a set of marine infrastructures for research and innovation. PLOCAN is 100% public, funded by both the government of Spain and the government of the Canary Islands.

What is PLOCAN’s role in AQUARIUS?

PLOCAN’s contributions to AQUARIUS are twofold. Firstly, access is provided to its test site facility, which is included in the AQUARIUS research infrastructure catalogue. 

The test site supports marine robotics, fleets, platforms, underwater gliders, and autonomous vehicles, serving as a unique resource for both the scientific community and the private sector. Located on the edge of a continental shelf, it offers access to depths of up to 600 metres, enabling deep-sea investigations and studies of extensive water columns. The facility covers an area of 23 square kilometres and allows for the testing of real-life scenarios under real ocean conditions.  

PLOCAN’s other role in AQUARIUS is the provision of highly specialised training in glider technology for early-career researchers and technicians. Since 2011, PLOCAN has hosted its annual Glider Summer School, which offers a top class, hands-on learning experience that brings together the expertise of glider manufacturers and leading researchers for the benefit of a select group of students.

What makes getting access to the PLOCAN test site so convenient?

Access to PLOCAN through the AQUARIUS Access Funding Calls includes not only use of the facility itself but also support with the permits and administrative procedures required to carry out research. These processes typically involve a significant amount of paperwork, which is streamlined as part of the access offer.

 

What is unique about the PLOCAN Glider school?

It really is an incredible opportunity for students with an interest in glider technologies because they will be learning  from the absolute best experts in the field. We welcome participants from across the globe and from a range of disciplines, not only ocean science or engineering. Spaces are limited to about 12-15 students, meaning that it is a very hands-on experience.

The programme covers both hardware and software aspects, offering a combination of theoretical and practical sessions delivered in the classroom, laboratory, and open water. Practical training involves the use of various glider models, including 

Waveglider, Slocum, Seaglider, and SeaExplorer, with a focus on the specific characteristics, capabilities, and applications of each technology. The summer school provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of glider technology, offering an invaluable experience for those seeking to begin a career in this field.

Why do you think it is important for the private sector and industry to apply for the AQUARIUS Funding Calls?

Companies developing technology related to ocean observing and similar fields play a crucial role in advancing research and innovation. Traditionally, the scientific community has tended to operate somewhat independently from the private sector. As a result, when a new parameter needs to be measured, the process often begins from scratch to develop a prototype sensor. It may then take several years before collaboration with a private company begins to bring the sensor to market. This approach is both complex and time-consuming. Greater engagement with the private sector from the outset could help streamline the development process, ensuring that technological needs are clearly communicated, and accelerating the path from research to market. This, in turn, would enhance competitiveness across the sector.

In this context, AQUARIUS presents a win–win opportunity, enabling the private sector to apply through funding calls and collaborate with researchers on shared projects. Both parties benefit from access to the research infrastructures that Europe is bringing together in a more collaborative and coordinated way.

What is the legacy of AQUARIUS in your opinion?

The legacy of AQUARIUS lies in the network it creates and the ability to truly connect research infrastructures across Europe with common procedures, common ways of access for the scientists, projects, and companies that rely on them to deliver high-quality research and innovations.

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