27.03.2026

At its core, EERIE is about improving our understanding of the eddy-rich ocean and small-scale processes in the atmosphere. The General Assembly reflected this broad scientific focus, while also highlighting the importance of the infrastructure and services needed to support research across the consortium.

DKRZ contributed to the General Assembly by presenting how EERIE data can be accessed and published, while also bringing EERIE model output and reanalysis product on an external drive to Barcelona for direct sharing with participants. This offered a practical solution for researchers who could not easily access data stored at DKRZ (eg: due to networking issues), and allowed needed files to be copied directly during the meeting. Data was also collected on site and later transferred back to DKRZ. In this way, DKRZ helped make collaboration easier and supported the EERIE community. 

On Thursday, members of workpackage 3 (WP3 Data management) gave a talk on an update on data management, followed by an open discussion with participants. This created space for practical discussions on workflows, publication routes, and access options. Participants express their interest in publication of computed diagnostics on WDCC at DKRZ. Participants from ECMWF also stressed the importance of publishing phase 2 simulations under HighResMIP2 for the visibility. 

The discussion also addressed future data requests and practical access options for researchers who are not working directly on DKRZ's supercomputer Levante or are outside the EERIE community. In this context, the EERIE cloud emerged as an important solution. On-site data handling through the cloud demonstrated that it can play a valuable role in making project outputs more accessible to a wider group of users.

These discussions highlighted that data management is not an isolated technical topic, but an essential part of enabling scientific use, exchange, and long-term visibility of project results.

Later that evening, the work dinner continued the exchange in a more informal atmosphere. Among the topics discussed were what participants might do differently if they could start over, lessons learned during the project, and how statistics on data access could be collected.

The workshop ended with a memorable tour of the Barcelona Supercomputing Center, where participants visited the quantum computer installed inside a chapel. Beyond the formal sessions, the General Assembly was a very nice opportunity to meet peers working across the EERIE project, to better understand what they do, and to learn more about their scientific and data-related needs. The community clearly appreciated the publication, standardization, and processing work carried out by DKRZ.

 Overall, the work carried out in WP3 proved to be a key enabling element of the project. It acted as a bridge helping connect those who produce simulations with those who rely on accessible and well-prepared datasets for their research. 

For more details and for pictures check out the the  EERIE General Assembly blog on EERIE project website

A video summary of the EERIE26 General Assembly held at the Barcelona Supercomputing Center (Spain) in March 9-13, 2026.