Networked Environmental Monitoring and Evaluation System for Intelligent Surveillance – NEMESIS

NEMESIS infrastructure supports interdisciplinary environmental research

Duration of the project

1.1.2026 – 31.12.2028

Source of funding

Research Council of Finland

Total funding

2,855,090 €

Funding requested from the Academy of Finland:
EUR 1,998,566

NEMESIS (Networked Environmental Monitoring and Evaluation System for Intelligent Surveillance) is a joint research infrastructure funded by the Research Council of Finland and developed by Turku University of Applied Sciences, the University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University. It enhances the monitoring of environmental conditions and maritime security in the Archipelago Sea and its catchment area.

Running from 2026 to 2028, the project will establish a networked research environment combining sensors, monitoring stations, research vessels and autonomous vessels with real-time data transmission and analytics.

The aim is to provide more comprehensive and consistent data on the Archipelago Sea region and offer researchers, businesses, authorities and other stakeholders an environment in which these data can support research, the development of new technologies and decision-making.

Why is NEMESIS needed?

The Archipelago Sea is a region with a unique natural environment and cultural heritage, and an important setting for the maritime industry, shipping, tourism and other blue economy activities. At the same time, it faces significant challenges, including the poor ecological status of its waters, biodiversity loss, nutrient loading and the impacts of climate change. Heavy maritime traffic in the shallow waters and complex geography of the archipelago also poses environmental and security risks.

Existing environmental and security-related data are partly scattered across different systems and organisations. NEMESIS brings together diverse sources of observations and data into a unified research infrastructure, strengthening research into the connections between the catchment area and coastal waters in particular.

What is being developed within NEMESIS?

NEMESIS consists of several interconnected components. The project develops and expands a real-time sensor network and monitoring stations to track water quality and quantity, weather and climate conditions, and changes in coastal and marine environments, among other variables. Small autonomous monitoring platforms, research vessels and unmanned systems complement the fixed monitoring network.

A central component is the NEMESIS Data Hub, where data from different sources can be collected, processed and analysed. The project also develops analytics, machine learning-based methods, predictive models and anomaly detection capabilities. Data will be made available to users through a web-based interface and mobile applications.

What will the project deliver?

The project will establish a networked, modular research infrastructure for the Archipelago Sea and its catchment area, bringing together environmental monitoring, maritime security, autonomous systems and data analytics.

Who is NEMESIS for?

NEMESIS serves a wide range of research organisations, authorities and businesses working in fields such as marine research, environmental monitoring, water protection, the maritime industry, transport, technology, agriculture, aquaculture and offshore wind energy. In addition to research, the infrastructure can support equipment and system testing, technology demonstrations, measurement campaigns, education and environmental monitoring.

Members of the public will also be involved. The project will pilot citizen science activities through which local residents, landowners and farmers, for example, can contribute observations on water quality.

NEMESIS supports the protection of the Archipelago Sea, climate change adaptation and regional security by providing high-quality data on environmental changes. The research infrastructure enables the study of nutrient loading, water quality, sedimentation, biodiversity, and anomalies related to the environment and maritime security.

NEMESIS also provides businesses with an environment for developing and testing new sensor technologies, data products, navigation and security solutions, and other maritime technologies. The project aims to strengthen cooperation between research organisations, businesses, authorities and other regional stakeholders, and to support the blue and green transitions in Southwest Finland.

The project has been funded by the Research Council of Finland.