Annual Review 2012 Deltares

ANNUAL REVIEW 2012 DELTARES

Deltares P.O. Box 177 2600 MH Delft The Netherlands 2012 T +31 (0)88 335 8273 [email protected] Annual Review www.deltares.nl

Follow Deltares www.twitter.com/deltares www.linkedin.com/company/217430

Omslag_buiten_en.indd 1 15-04-13 13:57 DELTARES credits

DELTARES, APRIL 2013

A great deal of care has gone into the production of this publication. Use of the texts or parts thereof is permitted on condition that the source is quoted. Re-use of the infor- Our mission mation shall be for the responsibility of the user. ADDRESS Developing and applying top-level expertise Deltares P.O. Box 177 in the field of water, subsurface and 2600 MH Delft www.deltares.nl infrastructure for people, environment and society. Deltares is thereby independent, EDITING Deltares communications department sets high demands on the quality of the [email protected] knowledge and advice and works closely IMAGES with governments, businesses and research Deltares, cover, pages 4, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, institutes at home and abroad. At Deltares, 21, 23, 28, 29, 30, 31, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 42, 54, 55, 56 Dirk Hol, pages 3, 6, 10, 11, 14, 18, 20, 22, 26, 30, knowledge is the key. 32/33, 47, 48, 49, 50, 56 Ewout Staartjes, pages 14, 22, 28 Hans Roode, page 25 Mennobart van Eerden, Rijkswaterstaat, page 24 Rijkswaterstaat, page 8 Stichting Noordzee, page 13

The photos on pages 6, 10, 18, 26, 32/33, 47 and 49 were taken in the Deltares Facilities Hall in Delft.

DESIGN ttwwoo | creative design agency Amsterdam [email protected]

PRINTED BY Koninklijke BDU Grafisch Bedrijf B.V.

omslag_binnen_en.indd 1 15-04-13 15:18 content

02 PREFACE

04 ProjectS

Flood risk Sustainable delta planning 06 Investing in dike monitoring 22 Delta scenarios get to grips with 08 Short messages uncertain future 24 Short messages Ecosystems and environmental quality 10 Rising interest in ‘Building with Nature’ Software 12 Short messages 26 Better decisions with new hydro software Water and subsoil resources 28 Short messages 14 Deltamodel supports policy decisions in water management Facilities 16 Short messages 30 Atlantic Basin, Scheldt flume, Delta Basin, Water soil flume Delta infrastructure 31 Delta flume, Model hall 18 jIPs improve competitive position 20 Short messages

32 SHARING KNOWLEDGE

34 Visits 38 Conferences/Training

36 Alliances 40 Publications

42 OrganisatiON

44 Explanatory note to figures/Income 50 Huib de Vriend: ‘Delta problems are an statement intellectual challenge’

45 Revenue distribution/Balance sheet 51 Staff

46 Supervisory Board/Advisory Board 53 Awards

47 Scientific Council 54 Doctorates/Professorships

48 Maarten Smits: ‘Enhancing knowledge is 56 New building always the guiding principle’

49 Harry Baayen: ‘At the service of governement and business’

Annual Review 2012 3 DELTARES preface

Well on course

2012 was a good year for Deltares. In the Netherlands and internationally, hundreds of projects were completed, contributing to the fulfilment of our mission: the development and application of advanced knowledge relating to water, subsurface and infrastructure. The volume of sales in the Netherlands fell off slightly but this was offset by a rise in activities in other countries. This means that our ambition to be recognised and acknowledged as a top institute both nationally and internationally is well on course.

Five themes At Deltares, knowledge development focuses on five themes: flood risk, ecosystems and environmental quality, water and subsoil resources, delta infrastructure and sustainable delta planning. The aim is to promote safe and healthy life in deltas, coastal regions and river basins, now and in the future.

And that is urgently needed. Because these are appealing areas to live and work in but, at the same time, they are the areas that are the most vulnerable to the consequences of sea level rise, falling land levels and erratic rainfall. Traditional solutions are no longer adequate to tackle the problems. New technologies and innovative solutions need to be developed to keep these areas habitable.

Society In 2012, Deltares contributed to many innovations. We have highlighted a number of them in this annual review. They vary widely in terms of nature and size but they are all responses to questions affecting society.

For example, a much-improved model was developed for the quantification of falling land levels. It can calculate the fall in the land level for a larger area such as a city or a delta. It was used in 2012 in Jakarta, and New Orleans will also be using it to map out the problems it faces with falling land levels. This makes it possible to establish a better picture of which interventions are effective, and which aren’t.

There was also a strong emphasis on improving water quality. The study of the spread of microplastics and the harmful effects on the food chain, for example, got off to a good start. Microplastic waste may be inflicting severe damage on the smallest organisms at the bottom of the food chain. This can affect the productivity of the entire ecosystem. So a clear picture of the extent of, and the damage inflicted by, the microplastics problem is urgently needed to tackle it effectively in the future. The partners of Deltares in this study include the Institute of Environmental Studies of VU University Amsterdam.

The aim of the Delta Programme is to ensure that the Netherlands will be protected over the next century against ongoing rises in water levels and that we continue to have adequate supplies of fresh water. Planning policy for a period of time as long as this is a major challenge because of the considerable uncertainties involved. As support for the policy decisions to be taken in 2015, Deltares delivered a number of

02 From left to right: Ron Thiemann, Maarten Smits and Erik Janse.

instruments in 2012, such as the Delta Model and the four Delta Scenarios. They can be used to calculate the impact of possible policy strategies and the bandwidth for future uncertainties, and to develop flexible policy strategies.

Organisation There were a number of major changes in the organisation in 2012. In December, Harry Baayen resigned as managing director, a job he had occupied since Deltares was established in 2008. His position has been taken over by Maarten Smits. We also took leave of Huib de Vriend, our Scientific Director, who retired in May. His work was taken over by the Scientific Council, which now has a stronger position in the management.

In 2012, work started on the building of new offices, both in Delft and Utrecht. Once the new offices are ready, all the staff will be working at one of the two locations. Work also started on the building of the new Delta flume in Delft. It will replace the current facility in the North-East Polder and will make a wider range of testing possible.

Staff Knowledge is the Deltares core business. So we are proud of the fact that the second Knowledge Position Audit, which was conducted in 2012, resulted in a positive assessment. The aim of the audit was to arrive at an independent assessment of our knowledge level and to determine whether it matches international expectations. The committee of international scientists was very enthusiastic about the Deltares knowledge position and described the organisation as ‘a gold mine’. The committee was also very enthusiastic about our open source strategy.

Our workforce of more than 800 employees is the basis for our knowledge. They are experts who are often at the forefront of their fields. But they are, above all, socially committed people with a drive to apply their knowledge to problems in delta areas throughout the world. That makes them special and valuable. Their drive and inquisi- tiveness keep Deltares on the move and allow us to fulfil our mission.

Deltares board of directors

Annual Review 2012 03 Flood risk Ecosystems and environmental quality Water and subsoil resources Delta infrastructure Sustainable delta planning Software Facilities

04 Projects The many projects in which Deltares participated in 2012 have helped to deepen and extend our knowledge base. We have selected and described some of them here. Together, they constitute a good picture of the five themes that guide our knowledge development.

Annual Review 2012 05 PROJECTS flood risk investing in dike monitoring

Goaitske de Vries: ‘In critical situations, it is very important for everybody to look at the dikes in the same way and to know what is a cause for alarm.’

There is no other country in the world that has been thinking for so long about dikes as the Netherlands. The knowledge about dike designs, failure mechanisms and management and maintenance has been under development for centu- ries. All that knowledge comes together in dike monitoring. Monitoring activities are intensified considerably when there is a flood threat, for example when water levels are high or during other emergencies. At times like this, dike inspectors monitor dikes non-stop, watching out for any irregularities. Even when there is a minor anomaly, they need to make a fast assessment of how serious the situation is and whether steps Dike inspectors play an important role need to be taken. in flood protection. Particularly in diffi- That is quite a challenge. So dike inspectors have to be trained to recognise the early signs of dike failure. A few years ago, cult weather conditions, such as storms, Deltares developed a special course for them: the ‘Dike Patrol’. The course is backed up by the serious game of the severe rainfall or extreme drought. At same name. In 2012, more than 1000 Dutch dike inspectors these times, they are constantly inspect- completed the course.

ing and keeping a close eye on the con- Communications dition of the dikes. Deltares provides Goaitske de Vries, a dike technology specialist at Deltares, has taught the course countless times now. ‘As soon as there is a the inspectors with support in a range heightened alert, dike inspections are intensified and the rest of ways. There is a course and a seri- of the emergency system switches to a higher level. Very large numbers of people are involved. It is very important for them ous game that incorporate the latest to look at dikes in the same way and to know what is a cause knowledge about dikes, and we are also for alarm, and what isn’t. And everybody has to have the same approach to communications about the condition of involved in trials with high-tech dike mon- the dikes. In situations like this, confusion is the last thing you itoring. Dutch dike monitoring expertise is need. That is what the ‘Dike Patrol’ course does. We teach the inspectors how to look at a dike in the right way. We also have globally renowned and is an increasingly tests to check whether they can actually apply what they important export product. have learnt. And because these heightened alerts are not very frequent in the Netherlands, we developed a serious game.’

06 International Large numbers attend the course every year, in part because Do you want to know more? it always covers the latest developments. ‘Many of the people on the course come again and again because we are always Do you want to know more about learning more about dikes,’ explains Goaitske. ’The experi- the IJkdijk and the tests with high- ments with the IJkdijk, a special test dike in Groningen, have tech dike inspections in August and taught us an enormous amount in recent years about the September 2012? Scan the code. various failure mechanisms. How you can spot them early, and when they are developing into a real problem. That information is very important for dike inspectors.’ The course has also been noticed in other countries. In 2012, provides more detail than visual inspections. That makes dike Vietnam and Colombia asked Deltares to organise the ‘Dike monitoring safer and more efficient. At the moment, a range Patrol’ for some of their dike inspectors. Goaitske De Vries of pilot projects are in progress on a number of dikes.’ also taught these courses. ‘We adapted the course so that it In 2012, a large number of the sensors and visualisation was appropriate for local conditions, because the dikes and systems on the market were tested at the IJkdijk. The main dike inspection in these countries are different from the Dutch focus here was making dike failure forecasting more accurate. situation. The fascinating thing about teaching a course Test opportunities of this kind in realistic situations are rare abroad is that you don’t just pass on knowledge, you also and there was a lot of interest at both the domestic and inter- learn something yourself. The Vietnamese, for example, have national levels. Goaitske de Vries: ‘We tested to see which a different approach to piping - sand erosion below a dike - sensors and visualisation systems detect imminent dike than ours.’ failure. The results so far are very promising.’

High-tech The naked eye Visual inspection by dike inspectors is accompanied more She emphasises that these new technologies complement and more often by high-tech methods such as sensors, the visual inspections, but don’t replace them. ‘It is fantastic analysis and visualisation systems, and satellite monitoring. that we can use them to observe developments in a dike that the Netherlands is also leading the field in this area, and are not yet visible to the naked eye. But dike monitoring is not Deltares is making major contributions to a range of experi- just a question of numbers. If a sensor detects movement ments, explains Goaitske de Vries. ‘High-tech monitoring isn’t in the dike, you still have to go out into the field to see where standard yet, but we have made major advances. You can use it’s coming from. Sometimes, the cause will be just an event these techniques to determine the condition of a dike quickly that doesn’t lead to any damage. Dike inspection is always a and accurately over large stretches. This works faster and combination of data and direct observation.’

How effective is the serious game ‘Dike Patrol’?

The serious game ‘Dike Patrol’ developed by Deltares is used during the course of the same name to train dike inspectors. Casper Harteveld studied the effectiveness of the game and received his doctorate for his research in late 2012 at Delft University of Tech- nology. His principal conclusions were that players of ‘Dike Patrol’ achieve significant improvements in what they know about identifying dike failure and they can use that knowledge effectively.

It’s vital for dike inspectors to be trained to recognise the early signs of dike failure.

Annual Review 2012 07 PROJECTS flood risk

A new piece of equipment was introduced to test the strength of the grass cover on dikes: the wave impact generator.

protection have been collected in the book Flood Control 2015. It covers areas including flood protection dashboards, improved computer model calculations, a Dike strength Information System, new emergency communications resources and new training resources. The innovations can be used in the Netherlands and in other countries. The programme was so successful that the participants decided to extend their partnership as ‘Flood Control 2100’.

Peat stronger than expected Field trials conducted by Deltares Wave impact generator 2017, research and development of for the research project ‘Dikes on On behalf of the Dutch Ministry the national testing instruments’ Peat’ showed that peat is a stronger of Infrastructure and the Environ- programme of the Ministry of Infra- subsurface than was expected. The ment, Deltares conducted trials to structure and the Environment These tests were conducted in 2012 in learn more about how dikes cope instruments are used for the peri- the context of the upgrade of the with extreme water levels and wave odical assessment of the strength of Markermeer dike between Hoorn and heights. In early May, a new piece the Dutch dikes. The following round Amsterdam. The subsurface below of equipment was used to test the of tests will start in 2017. that dike is peat and, by and large, strength of the grass covering a dike: it fails to meet the latest statutory the wave impact generator. It was Innovative crisis management safety standard. So the dike will developed by Deltares in collabora- The FLOODrisk2012 conference have to be raised or widened in a tion with Infram and Van der Meer hosted the presentation of the number of places. There had been a Consulting. final results of the ‘Flood Control feeling among the experts for some The wave impact generator can be 2015’ research programme. The time that the available models for used to simulate the most extreme programme began in 2007 and it designing dike upgrades consider- wave impacts. It releases hundreds will bring about improvements in ably underestimated the strength of litres of water at a time on to a crisis management during flood of peat. So it was decided to conduct dike. In that way, it is possible to test alerts by using smarter and faster practical trials. The project generated whether the grass is strong enough information systems. Flood Control a lot of new information about the to withstand extreme wave impacts brought together research institutes, strength, and the failure behaviour, or whether it gives way prematurely. including Deltares, and nine compa- of peat. Even so, on the basis of the The wave impact generator was used nies to help government authorities trials, changes to the model are still to test different types of grass on a with responsibility for water and not possible. Peat consists of vege- range of subsurfaces. In 2012, there crisis management to take faster and table material and the composition were trials on a dike in Oosterbierum better decisions. and strength varies from location to (in Friesland) and at Harculo (in the The results of five years of research location. The model needs to take this Dutch province of Overijssel). looking at innovations in the field into account. More work is needed to The trials were part of the ‘WTI of crisis management and flood achieve that level of precision.

08 Deltares conducted the trials on Software tool for multiple Dike monitoring in China behalf of the Hoogheemraadschap protection layers Together with a number of Dutch Hollands Noorderkwartier water Multiple protection layers are companies, Deltares was involved authority and Rijkswaterstaat. based on the idea of three different in a pilot project looking at sensor layers of flood protection. Layer one monitoring in a stretch of dike on Rip current radar involves prevention, in particular the Yellow River in China. The river is Deltares developed a system for dike upgrades and measures to lower almost 5000 kilometres long. If the predicting near- water levels. The other layers involve dikes were to fail, the consequences shore rip currents: limiting the impact of flooding. Layer would be considerable. However, the rip current two includes spatial measures, such permanent monitoring of all the radar. It shows 48 as dry-proof building, or raised build- dikes is a practical impossibility. As a hours in advance ings. Layer three relates to disaster result, the Yellow River Conservancy where it is dangerous to bathe. Life- management response, which Commission (YRCC), which manages threatening rip currents are caused includes things like sound evacu the river, called on Dutch sensor by a combination of tides, waves ation planning or adequate evacu- technology to monitor dike stability. and the location of sand banks; they ation routes to limit the number of In a section of dike near Zheng- affect hundreds of bathers every victims. zhou, Ten Cate installed geotextile year. On some coastlines, South To determine the extent to which containing sensors that measure England being one example, the particular measures in particular deformation. Alert Solutions treacherous currents sometimes areas limit the flood risk and whether installed GeoBeads, which record lead to hundreds of rescue opera- those measures are cost-effective, pore pressures, temperature and tions a day. Deltares teamed up with HKV Lijn in deformation. The various sensors The rip current radar uses advanced Water to develop a software applica- were linked to a control room. The computer models that predict wave tion for Multiple Protection Layers. control room sent the numbers to height, water levels and currents. But Consultants and policymakers can a central decision-support system predicting rip currents also requires use the tool to see how a combina- developed by AGT International, a information about the location of tion of measures in the three layers supplier of innovative monitoring sand banks, which are constantly on affect flood risks in a particular and safety solutions, in collaboration the move. Deltares has succeeded, area, and to establish the cost- with TNO. Deltares was asked by AGT for the first time, in mapping out effectiveness of a strategy. Measures to monitor dike stability using the the seabed permanently in a simple and strategies can be compared to monitoring data. The pilot project and cheap way, namely with high- separate the wheat from the chaff. was completed successfully and is resolution video images. In this The tool is currently being used now being extended to way, it is clear at all times where the for several Delta Programme sub- other locations in the sandbanks and the rip currents are programmes. Yellow River. located. There was a successful trial with the system at Egmond aan Zee, in Together with a number of Dutch companies, Deltares was involved in a pilot project looking at sensor monitoring in a stretch of dike on the Yellow River in China. collaboration with Delft University of Technology, the resort’s lifesaving service and the Shore Monitoring company. The next step will be to make the forecasts available in an app so they are available not only to professionals but also to the public at large.

Annual Report 2012 09 PROJECTS ecosystems and environmental quality

Rising interest in ‘building with nature’

‘Building with Nature’ is an appealing Deltares is working intensively on deepening its under- idea, but also a relatively new one. So standing of water and soil systems. Major progress has been made in recent decades and the benefits for the a lot of research will be needed before ‘Building with Nature’ concept have been enormous. The ‘Building with Nature’ innovation programme, which is it can be used on a large scale. Del- being implemented by EcoShape, was launched officially tares is one of the research institutes in 2008. It brings together the private sector, government authorities and research institutes, including involved. And we are fully committed. Deltares. The aim of the programme is to learn more Because ‘Building with Nature’ is help- about using the natural system in hydraulic engineering projects in coastal, delta and river areas. Pilot projects ing to shape densely populated deltas in the Netherlands and elsewhere are developing the in sustainable ways. Economic and knowledge for this new concept.

spatial requirements are combined Revolution with nature and habitability. Sharon Tatman heads the Water Quality & Ecology section at Deltares, and she is involved in a number of these pilot projects. She explains how the concept took shape. ‘For a long time, we ‘built in nature’. Hydraulic engineering structures were developed and built without considering natural factors. As the 20th century drew to a close, that shifted to ‘Building for nature’. Initially, that meant minimising the impact on nature; later, building was required to be environmentally neutral. Negative environmental impacts had to be prevented or mitigated and, when those effects were inevitable, compensation was required.’ ‘But,’ she continues, ‘there has been a new development in hydraulic engineering in the last few years: the construction of infrastructure is now expected to make more use of natural processes: ‘Building with Nature’. We have stopped thinking of nature as an obstacle and started using it to achieve our safety objectives. This is a major revolution in the world of hydraulic engineering, and it has been embraced enthusiastically in the Netherlands.’

Support This revolution didn’t come out of nowhere; it is a logical Sharon Tatman: ‘Building with Nature isn’t just a question of response to a number of developments. Sharon Tatman: technical and ecological factors; it also implies different ways of ‘Worldwide, people are migrating to cities in coastal, taking decisions and working together.’ delta and river areas. But it is precisely these densely populated areas that are being affected most by climate change, falling land levels and sea level rise. So safety

10 is a major issue. It has to be combined with intensive further our understanding of how forebanks with vegeta- demand for sustainable and habitable places to live. tion - such as willow trees - can break waves. Deltares is That implies, for example, that constantly raising dikes conducting this project in collaboration with the engi- no longer enjoys automatic support from the people neering firms Arcadis and Fugro. Sharon Tatman: ‘We involved. Hydraulic engineering needs new, innova- know that vegetation breaks waves. The idea now is to tive concepts that make the most of the potential of quantify the data and integrate the data in models or the natural system. And that is where “Building with standards. In that way, we will also be able to state risk Nature” comes in.’ levels more precisely. But a lot of research is needed before we reach that point.’ Pilot projects One of the best-known examples is the Sand Motor, the Decision-making large-scale beach nourishment operation off the coast She points out that the widespread application of of South Holland. The Sand Motor protects the coast ‘Building with Nature’ requires more than just research. but it is also a unique nature area. Another project is ‘A better understanding of the natural system is not the introduction of oyster reefs in the Eastern Scheldt. enough for large-scale application. It’s not just a ques- ‘Building with nature is a logical response to a number of developments’

Here again, protection and ecology are combined. ‘The tion of technical and ecological factors, but also of Eastern Scheldt is home to intertidal flats that fall dry changing the way we think about area development. In during ebb tides,’ explains Sharon. ‘But more and more the pilot projects, we are learning what “Building with sand from these flats is being lost to the tidal channel Nature” implies for decision-making and the collabora- of the Eastern Scheldt, eroding them so that they disap- tion of parties involved in hydraulic engineering projects. pear under water’. That is bad for biodiversity because And Deltares can contribute expertise here, too.’ the flats are home and a source of food to many birds and other organisms. And they are also natural breakwaters that cushion the impact of waves on dikes. The coastal defences will have to be strengthened if the flats The ‘Green Shield’ project will further our understanding of how erode.’ forebanks with vegetation - such as willow trees - can break waves. The pilot project with oyster reefs on a number of flats has shown that we can capture the sand and enhance biodiversity at the same time. And the reefs also cushion the impact of the waves. A second pilot project in the Eastern Scheldt to prevent the erosion of the intertidal flats involves sand nourishment. The extra sand raises the level of the flat and natural processes disperse the sand across it, preventing erosion across a wider area. There are pilot projects not just in the Netherlands but also in other countries. In Indonesia, for example, where the mangrove forests off the coast are being restored in various locations. The forests lessen wave impact during storms, but the natural habitat is also being restored.

Green shield In late 2012, a new project was launched in the Bies- bosch nature area: ‘the Green Shield’. The project will

Annual Review 2012 11 PROJECTS ecosystems and environmental quality

A special camera has been installed in a ditch in Delft to monitor the duckweed on a continuous basis. The aim of the study is to improve water quality in urban areas.

Informatiehuis Water, water authorities, the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency and a represent- ative of the consultancies. The WFD Explorer is supplied free of charge to water managers, provincial authorities, research institutions and engineering firms.

Duckweed monitor Deltares launched a study of how duckweed develops. A special camera Iannov tions in water quality hydrological, geotechnical and social has been installed in a ditch in the Four projects subsidised by the impact. Hydrological models and a Ecodus area in Delft to monitor the Ministry of Infrastructure and the monitoring network involving local duckweed on a continuous basis. Environment as part of the Water inhabitants were developed for this Delft is the first place in the world Framework Directive Innovation project. to do this. The aim of the study is Programme (IP-WFD) have been to improve water quality in urban completed. The projects focused WFD Explorer areas. Deltares will analyse the data on improving the quality of surface The WFD Explorer steering supplied by the camera and devise water. committee approved the new version smart and cost-effective manage- The project ‘Drawdown to improve of the WFD Explorer. Deltares has ment interventions that will have a water quality’ involved dewatering been working with the Netherlands beneficial effect on water quality. four lakes to improve chemical and Environmental Assessment Agency Alongside the monitor, the engi- ecological water quality. Deltares and Alterra since 2010 on version neering firm MWH will be using conducted laboratory experiments 2.0. sensors to measure water quality to determine the effect of drawdown The WFD Explorer can be used to in two ditches. The study will last duration on nutrients. model measures being implemented about a year and it will be conducted “BaggerNut” developed instruments as part of the European Water as a part of Delft Blue Technology. It to estimate the degree to which Framework Directive (WFD). It shows involves collaboration with the city water bottom/dredging quality can the efficacy and costs of measures of Delft, the Delfland water authority be an obstacle to WFD objectives targeting chemicals and ecology and the MWH engineering firm. and which measures may be useful. in relation to the WFD objectives. Deltares teamed up with Arcadis to The WFD Explorer can be used in the Microplastics research produce a Bed Diagnosis Tool. planning phase, when developing The study looking at the presence The ‘Monitoring and control system’ river basin management plans and and harmful impacts of micro project involved collaboration with for the evaluation of measures that plastics in the marine environment STOWA and Nelen&Schuurmans have already been implemented. is now proceeding smoothly. Micro- to build a system for three water The project was commissioned plastics are small plastic waste authorities. The resulting system will by the WFD Explorer Steering ranging from 5 mm down to nano- be used to monitor and analyse the Committee, which brings together metre sizes. Deltares participated ecological status of water bodies. a large number of stakeholders: the in the INTERREG IV A 2 Seas study ‘Flexpeil’ involved introducing flex- Ministry of Infrastructure and the MICRO, which will be analysing the ible water-level management in Environment, Rijkswaterstaat Centre presence of microplastics pollu- several areas. Deltares looked at the for Water Management, STOWA, the tion in the English Channel and the

12 southern section of the North Sea. Deltares developed the first model for the diffusion of microplastics. The Zirfea (a Rijkswaterstaat vessel) sailed out in October, collecting microplastics from the water surface, in sediment and in organisms. Later, MICRO will develop analysis methods, conduct experiments with organisms and study the socio- economic impact of microplastics. MICRO will result in a proposal for the The study looking at the presence and harmful impacts of microplastics in the marine further development of instruments environment is now proceeding smoothly. and mitigation measures. In MICRO, Deltares is working with the research of the results of the project, which tools for remediation companies. The institutes EV-ILVO (the Belgian co- started in 2009. The challenge was to members of the consortium were ordinator of the project), Cefas improve current working practices in from ten different European coun- (United Kingdom), Ifremer (France), three areas: cost, time and sustain- tries. As well as research institutes, CNRS (France) and the Institute of ability. Smarter combinations of a range of small and medium-sized Environmental Studies (IVM) of VU existing chemical and biological enterprises were involved in the University Amsterdam. The project technologies can make cleaned- project. will be co-financed by the Dutch up land available more quickly for Ministry of Infrastructure & the Envi- redevelopment, with full remedia- Water Quality in South Korea ronment. tion being achieved in the long term. FEWS-NIER, the water quality fore- A more sustainable use of chemicals casting system for the four large Upsoil is more cost-efficient and it results rivers in South Korea, was improved September saw the closing con- in the preservation and improved by introducing data assimilation ference of Upsoil, a project subsi- recovery of the natural soil functions. techniques. Deltares teamed up with dised by the European Commission Deltares is a member of the consor- the Dutch consultancy VORtech. The for improving working practices tium that was involved in the project existing system has been adapted so in on-site soil remediation. The and it used the knowledge acquired that it can be used for applications conference included a presentation to develop practical decision-support with OpenDA and so model simulations can be combined with measurements of water quality. As a result, algal bloom can be predicted more accurately and river management authorities can take decisions faster, limiting potential damage. Further- more, the public can be informed better and faster about algal bloom, which is a frequent problem in the rivers in summer. The upgrading of the forecasting system was commissioned by the National Institute for Environmental Research, which is a part of the Korean Ministry of the Environment.

The water quality forecasting system for the four large rivers in South Korea was improved so algal blooms can be forecast more accurately.

Annual Review 2012 13 PROJECTS water and subsoil resources

Deltamodel supports policy decisions in water management

It was an enormous challenge but the result is impressive: the Delta Model was completed in late 2012. This innovative set of tools will allow for the sound assessment of policy decisions The Delta Programme will ensure that the Netherlands is protected over the next century against constantly in the Delta Programme. They can be rising water levels, while maintaining adequate supplies used to quickly establish a picture of fresh water. Making the right policy decisions looking that far into the future is a complex challenge and of the significance of strategies and projecting policy effects is not straightforward. So steps measures in one area for water man- taken to protect against flooding can have a negative impact on supplies of fresh water. Steps to help agricul- agement in other areas, and also to ture in one area can have dramatic consequences for determine the impact on, for example, shipping in another. How can you prevent policy decisions having unintended agriculture, shipping and nature. effects in the short or long terms? Rijkswaterstaat put this question to Deltares in 2009, asking it to develop a single set of instruments that can model the policy strategies in the Delta Programme and make it clear how they affect one another.

Complexity That sounds like a complex challenge, and indeed it was. In the Netherlands, there are dozens of regional, stand-alone models that are used to model and visu- alise different areas of water management. In addition, the Delta Programme covers a range of measures for the long term. Even so, the Delta Model was completed in late 2012. Almost a hundred experts from Deltares were involved. Deltares combined extensive technical expertise with the latest substantive knowledge about flood protection and freshwater supplies. This resulted in a model that can make integrated calculations and that was described by international experts as ‘unique and innovative’.

Support In this way, it is possible to determine in good time the effects of specific interventions in water management, and to decide whether they are desirable or whether they Erik Ruijgh (left) and Peter Peter Letitre (right), the Delta Model need adjustment. The benchmark for the calculations is project leaders. the year 2015 and the scenarios can extend through to 2050 and 2100.

14 The Delta Model ensures that steps to help agriculture in years, the sub-programmes first explored possible one area don’t have dramatic consequences for shipping in promising strategies,’ explains Erik Ruijgh. ‘They are another. now working on the development of the preferred stra tegies. The Delta Model will be running the calculations Peter Letitre, the Delta Model project manager: ‘As well for all of them in 2013. This will give us a firm footing as helping with policy development, the big step forward when it comes to the ultimate policy decisions in 2015.’ made by the Delta Model is that the calculations are supported by all the policymakers and administrators Delta Portal involved, and that everybody uses the same model. An important component of the Delta Model is the We managed that by bringing everybody concerned Delta Portal. It was also completed in 2012. Peter together on a regular basis in recent years and engaging Letitre: ‘The Delta Portal is a web-based presentation ‘The Delta Model is on the interface between software development and social issues’ in continuous consultations with one another. The calcu- tool that provides access to information from the Delta lations in the Delta Model are accepted by the users and Programme and the Delta Model. It presents important considered to be independent. That was far from being results from the Delta Model in a form that is suitable for the case when all sorts of different models were being managers and policymakers who need the information used. Now, everybody accepts the same basic prin to prepare and take decisions.’ ciples, and so discussions and decisions are much more straightforward.’ Worldwide applicability With the Delta Programme and instruments like the Firm footing Delta Model, the Netherlands is leading the world in the The Delta Model shows not only the impact of specific field of policy development for water management in measures on water distribution, but also the effects on the long term. ‘Over 40 per cent of the Netherlands is society as a whole. Erik Ruijgh, the substantive project below sea level and it is precisely this low-lying area that leader for the Delta Model: ‘The Delta Model calculates is home to major economic interests,’ points out Peter the effects of changes in the water regime for a number Letitre. ‘It is obvious that climate change will have major of functions, such as shipping, industry, agriculture negative consequences for the Netherlands if we do and nature. Those effects are important when it comes nothing. But the weather is also becoming increasingly to making decisions. That shows that the Delta Model extreme in other countries. Disasters such as floods and, works on the interface between software development indeed, droughts, are more and more frequent. In other and social issues. It is not simply a technical exercise.’ countries, too, there is a rising awareness that we need to Although it hasn’t been finished yet, the Delta Model is be thinking about the future. The Delta Model concept can already fully engaged in making calculations. ‘In recent be useful when it comes to making the right choices.’

Annual Review 2012 15 PROJECTS water and subsoil resources

Local measures to maintain the level of freshwater supplies provide better safeguards for farming and promote economic progress.

With the new application, this data will be analysed and converted into information that can be used for operational management. In this way, Deltares is responding to the demand from owners of wastewater systems, the water authorities and municipal authorities for information about how their infrastructural networks work in real time. They can use this information to plan main tenance more efficiently, and to save on maintenance costs. Intervening faster when air or sediment accumu lates can also generate major savings on energy bills.

Boosting freshwater supplies conducted with ACACIA-Water, KWR, Improved drought forecasting Local solutions for maintaining Alterra, the Zeeland Hogeschool, for Africa freshwater supplies in low-lying a number of entrepreneurs, ZLTO, An interim assessment was made coastal areas are urgently needed STOWA, the provincial authority of the DEWFORA project (Drought as salinisation puts more and more of Zeeland, the municipality of Early Warning and Forecasting), pressure on stocks of fresh water. Schouwen-Duiveland and the Bra- finding that the initial results were Deltares developed a number of bantse Delta water authority. The highly promising. Deltares is coordi- concepts that led to the launch of a trial on Texel was commissioned by nating this large European research number of pilot projects in Zeeland the provincial authority of North project, which brings together nine- and on the island of Texel. Local Holland and it is being conducted teen African and European insti- measures provide better safeguards in collaboration with Oranjewoud, tutes. The aim of the project is to for farming and promote economic Acacia Water, DLVPlant and Alterra. produce more reliable predictions progress. of meteorological, hydrological and Methods used in Zeeland include More efficient maintenance for agricultural droughts than those increasing stocks of fresh water wastewater system produced by the current systems. below creek ridges by means of level- Deltares developed a special appli- The improvements in the forecasts controlled infiltration, and enlarging cation for managing the pipes of focus on the specific interests of the freshwater supplies by extracting local authorities’ wastewater trans- various stakeholders. Earlier drought both fresh and salt groundwater. A port systems more efficiently. alerts allow those involved to take pilot project is also in place looking The essence of the application is specific steps sooner and therefore at drainage at the individual farm the smarter analysis of existing to limit the socio-economic impact level with the aim of enlarging the monitoring data. A pilot project of drought and the associated food thin freshwater lens. On the island has been launched in Almere for the shortages in Africa. In 2014, the new of Texel, a trial has been started with municipal authority, RIONED and advances improving drought fore- a bulb farmer. The storage of fresh STOWA. casts for Africa will be made available water in a special basin will safe- The monitoring data for the waste- to African and European scientists guard the freshwater supply for the water transport system are now and policymakers. farmer in dry periods. mainly used for managing the DEWFORA is one of the research The projects in Zeeland are being pumps and for malfunction alerts. projects financed by the European

16 The DEWFORA project s intended to provide earlier warnings of drought in Africa so that the parties concerned can intervene earlier.

ment in Mongolia’ project has electric power in Northwest America, reached completion. A consor- switched to Delft-FEWS in 2012 tium comprising Deltares, Royal to forecast flow rates. This was a Haskoning, DHV and UNESCO-IHE further step in its collaboration with initiated the project in 2009 for the US National Weather Service, the Mongolian Ministry for Nature which had already made the switch and the Environment. The aim of to Delft-FEWS. the project was to strengthen the The electricity produced by BPA is organisations responsible for water generated by the Colombia River, Commission in which knowledge management and, at the same which contains dozens of dams. exchange between the African and time, to develop sustainable water Managing the dams is a highly European continent and knowl- management in order to tackle the complex business because of the edge development are important problems resulting from urbani- strong fluctuations in the climato- objectives. It is contributing to the sation, industrialisation and the logical conditions, the large number policy goal of the European Union neglect of the water systems. In of dam managers along the river, to upgrade and extend the African addition, the vulnerable ecosystem agreements with Canada and the knowledge network. is highly sensitive to climate change. strict environmental standards. A Knowledge transfer was a core study by Deltares allowed BPA to get Red River element in the project. Together a better grip on uncertainties in flow Deltares launched a study in with three Mongolian universities, a rates. As a result, the dams can now Vietnam looking at the cumulative Masters programme for integrated be managed more effectively within effects of a series of hydroelectric water management was set up and economic and sustainable boundary plants in the Red River catchment. water managers were trained locally. conditions. The study was initiated because The consortium also helped the In late 2012, Deltares initiated a small hydroelectric plants - with governments with the development follow-up study to include uncertain- a capacity of less than 30 MW - are of a national water plan, regional ties in short-term reservoir manage- being installed at a rapid rate for water plans and the organisation of ment. The local weather conditions sustainable energy generation. Even River Basin Councils. make supplies of wind energy highly though an environmental impact erratic. The hydroelectric plants study was conducted for each of Sustainable management of must be able to respond flexibly in these plants, there had not yet been Colombia River order to safeguard the stability of the a study of the cumulative effect of Bonneville Power Administration electricity network. dams on the environment down- (BPA), a major producer of hydro- stream. The study was commissioned by the World Bank, which appointed a consortium of researchers with Deltares as the lead contractor. The consortium also includes SWECO - Norway and two Vietnamese institutes. The World Bank and the Viet- namese Ministry of Industry and Trade will use the results of the study to make hydroelectric power development in Vietnam more sustainable.

National Water Plan for Mongolia After four years, the ‘Support for Integrated Water Manage-

Knowledge transfer was a core element in the Mongolia project. For example, a Masters programme for integrated water management was established with three Mongolian universities.

Annual Review 2012 17 PROJECTS delta infrastructure jips improve competitive position

KlaasJan Bos: ‘Collective research allows the stakeholders to achieve their individual goals.’

Deltares is developing knowledge not only for the government but also for the Dutch commercial sector, in particular the civil and hydraulic engineering sector. Deltares transforms new advances directly into practical applications, allowing Dutch companies to improve their competitive position at the global level because innovative solutions often make building in Delta areas not just more effective and safer, but also more economical.

Initiative JIPs are one way of developing expertise for the commer- Joint Industry Projects (JIPs) involve cial sector. These Joint Industry Projects involve Deltares Deltares teaming up with a num- teaming up with a number of companies and possibly other research institutes. Together, the companies ber of companies and other research formulate a question, and the research institutes respond by developing new knowledge. Usually, large institutes to develop solutions to companies are involved, but small and medium-sized shared challenges. There are benefits enterprises also participate. KlaasJan Bos, who has been involved in a large number for both sides: Deltares develops new of JIPs at Deltares, explains the concept: ‘A JIP can knowledge, and businesses acquire be established in two ways. Sometimes, we will be approached by a group of companies who have a shared an innovative solution that will allow problem that extends beyond the scope of their indi- them to build in Delta areas world- vidual projects and so a new step forward is needed. Sometimes, Deltares takes the initiative itself. We wide more efficiently, more effectively engage in a lot of specialist consultancy work and and more safely. And there is another sometimes we get the same question from different directions. When we see that the market clearly has a advantage: the research costs are problem, we get people together to see whether we can shared by all the participants. 2012 set up a joint research project. In that way, the costs of the research, which can often be very high, can be shared saw the start of a range of JIPs at Del- by everybody involved. The companies pay a share, but tares. They involve both large com- so does Deltares.’ panies and small and medium-sized Accessible All the stakeholders benefit from the research. KlaasJan enterprises. Bos: ‘Deltares develops new knowledge and therefore

18 extends and deepens its knowledge base. The companies Wind Jack get an innovative solution. That gives them an edge and Another JIP launched in 2012 was Wind Jack. Deltares therefore the opportunity to improve their competitive teamed up again with MARIN on this project. The project position worldwide.’ also involves collaboration with engineering firms, ship- He emphasises that JIPs are for developing tools that builders, ship owners and contractors from the Neth- will be available to the branch as a whole sooner or later. erlands, Belgium, Germany and Singapore. Wind Jack ‘Sharing knowledge is a major priority at Deltares,’ looks at how waves and the seabed affect the legs of explains KlaasJan. ‘All our knowledge is accessible to jack-up vessels. Dropping legs onto the seabed with everybody. The main benefit for the companies involved a bang, for example when waves are high or when the is that they get a look behind the research scenes and bed is hard, can cause damage. The study makes it so they can embed the results in their operations faster possible to predict when jack-up vessels can still move. and more effectively. Sharing the costs between several At the moment, people err on the side of caution and organisations means that goals can be achieved with the vessels are not used if there is any doubt. However, relatively modest investments.’ this represents a considerable expense for users. Wind

‘The concept is a success: interest in JIPs is on the rise’

Ropes Jack is particularly important for the rapidly expanding One of the JIPs launched in 2012 was ‘Research on offshore wind turbine industry. Deploying jack-up passing effects of ships’, Ropes for short. Ropes brought vessels more efficiently could considerably improve their together 25 international organisations, including returns. port authorities, pilots, engineering firms and research institutes. Their goal: to make ports safer and prevent Growing interest damage. ‘And that is the essence of every JIP: together, we develop Ports are being used more and more intensively by cost-saving innovations that improve operating results,’ larger and larger vessels. For berthed vessels, the strong says KlaasJan. ‘Individual organisations are always suction and downward movements caused by passing looking for improvements like this, but they can’t make ships can be a serious problem. Cables can come loose, them on their own. The concept is a success: interest in loading and unloading equipment can be damaged, and JIPs is on the rise. And it is also making business enthu- people can even be hurt. Ropes looked at how forces siastic about innovation. The companies involved often generated by passing ships affect berthed vessels. commission follow-up assignments after the completion Deltares teamed up with the research institute MARIN of a JIP.’ to develop the benchmark for scale testing using the Atlantic Basin in Delft. The model tests were an impor- One of the JIPs launched in 2012 was ‘Research on passing effects of ships’, Ropes for short. tant part of the research. KlaasJan Bos: ‘We simulated a situation with a passing and a berthed ship in different port designs and then varied speed, distance, currents and so on. We conducted an enormous number of measurements. They are being included in a software tool that port authorities will be able to use in the future to, for example, decide whether their port is safe enough for some larger ships or whether the fairway needs to be made deeper or wider. It will also be useful for designers.’

Annual Review 2012 19 PROJECTS delta infrastructure

Better management of under- the subsurface looks at the geology, misch Verkeersmanagement Vaar- ground pipes geotechnic factors, geohydrology wegen’ (Encouragement of Dynamic The study of the feasibility of the and the susceptibility of the Traffic Management for Waterways). IJKNET system was completed subsurface to saturation. This will This project will strengthen the posi- successfully. The system allows allow the contractor for the new lock tion of inland shipping and develop managers of underground mains to make a realistic appraisal, before tools to maintain the safety, reli- networks to make better decisions drafting a tender, of the construction ability and efficiency of inland ship- about when to replace parts of their methods, phasing, and the associ- ping. The idea is also to shift traffic systems. The current systems look ated risk profile. to inland shipping. The Economy- reasonably effective but costs are Planner makes it possible to optimise high, there are a lot of inconven- Smart waterways sailing speeds and therefore fuel ience and capacity problems, and Deltares developed a first version of consumption, while still reaching the questions have been raised about FEWS-Waterways for inland ship- destination on time. A prototype of past decisions. It is hoped that the ping, combining models such as the system was delivered in 2013. IJKNET system will result in safer Delft3D, WAQUA and SOBEK. FEWS- and more objective decisions. It Waterways forecasts water depths, Analysis tool for dredging comprises predictive models for flow rates and headroom. The infor- industry soil deformation and stresses in mation is presented on electronic The European Commission approved the underground pipes, and uses charts. Improved forecasts with the research proposal from Deltares monitoring data. Now the feasibility FEWS-Waterways make it possible for improving and validating analysis study has been completed, work will to transport more cargo and to make tools in the dredging industry. The start on a system prototype. Once better use of the waterway as water analysis tools are based on the the IJKNET system is ready to be levels fluctuate. FEWS-Waterways Material Point Method (MPM). In rolled out, water and gas companies is a part of the EconomyPlanner, this method, materials such as soil throughout the world will benefit. which is being built by a consortium and water can move freely through Deltares is developing IJKNET led by the research institute MARIN, a mesh. That makes it possible to with TNO and KiwaTechnology for and it is one of the tools in the Rijks analyse large deformations and Netbeheer Netherlands. The research waterstaat project ‘Impuls Dyna- large movements of soil and water. is being conducted as part of the Sensor Technology Applied To Under- ground Pipe Infrastruc- tures project (STOOP).

IJmuiden Sea Lock A new sea lock is being built at IJmuiden in the Netherlands. Rijks waterstaat asked Deltares to conduct a GeoRisk scan and to investigate the subsurface in the project area. Prepa- rations for the new lock are ongoing and the planned location is between two other locks: the Noordersluis and the Middensluis. A GeoRisk scan is a structured approach involving a risk-driven way of managing risks associated with the subsurface. The appraisal of

A new sea lock is being built at IJmuiden in the Netherlands. Rijkswaterstaat asked Del- tares to conduct a GeoRisicoscan and to investigate the subsurface in the project area.

20 outfall market. Deltares was brought into the project by the South Korean electricity company KEPCO E&C. KEPCO is responsible for the building work and it asked Deltares for help on the hydraulic side because of the successful joint involvement in the Shin Ulchin project (South Korea), which involved the verification of the hydraulics of an entire intake and outfall system. KEPCO is working in Abu Dhabi with major Korean contractors such as Samsung, Hyundai and Doosan.

Improved forecasts with FEWS-Waterways make it possible to transport more cargo and to make better use of the waterway as water levels fluctuate.

For example, during the driving of ground levels in the long term in a foundation pile or the failure of a large areas such as deltas or cities dike. Until now, it was only possible so that policymakers can take it into to make reliable analyses in these account. For the first time, the slow areas using scale and model trials. component of falling land levels has The new forecasting model for falling land The MPM-Dredge research proposal been included in the model, making levels was used in Jakarta. is part of the Marie Curie programme highly accurate long-term predic- PEOPLE in the Seventh EU Frame- tions possible. The model was used work Programme. In this project, in Jakarta in 2012. It was found, for Deltares is collaborating closely example, that actively pumping with the universities of Cambridge water back into the subsurface does and Barcelona. The new tools will not offset settlement and that falling allow the dredging industry to design land levels are generally irrevers- more efficiently and further optimise ible. MODFLOW SUB-CR will also be working processes. deployed in New Orleans to map out the problems with falling land levels. Forecasting falling land levels For people living in delta areas, Abu Dhabi falling land levels are more of a Deltares was involved in building a threat than absolute sea level pumping station for a nuclear power rise, but this problem has still not plant in Abu Dhabi and it will be opti- been recognised by many govern- mising the flow of water to the pump, ment authorities. To clarify the which is a crucial factor in the plant issue, Deltares developed a fore- cooling system. The nuclear power casting model for falling ground plant in Abu Dhabi is the first in the levels. MODFLOW SUB-CR can be Middle East and it is considered to be used to predict the extent of falling a prestigious project in the intake-

Annual Review 2012 21 PROJECTS sustainable delta planning delta scenarios get to grips with uncertain future

Willem Bruggeman: ‘The Delta Scenarios allow the Delta Programme policymakers to work with the uncertainties.’

the Netherlands is working hard on preparing the country for the impact of climate change. The Delta Programme is developing policy for maintaining flood protection and freshwater supplies through to the end of the century. Anybody planning that far ahead wants to know which developments, and above all which uncertainties, they need to take into account.

Long term Policymakers are fond of using scenarios as support for long-term plans. Scenarios of this kind were already The Delta Programme will ensure that available in different areas, but water management is the Netherlands will be protected from now being addressed for the first time with the Delta Scenarios. They include not only data about climate flooding and have adequate supplies change but also socio-economic factors. Admittedly, climate change is the most high-profile relevant factor of fresh water until 2100. But how do for water management, but land use, infrastructure you know which trends are relevant for and population density also affect our vulnerability to flooding and water shortages. your policy decisions over such a long In the four Delta Scenarios that Deltares developed in period? How do you get to grips with cooperation with the planning agencies CPB, KNMI, PBL and LEI* in 2012, these factors were integrated for the all the uncertainties? Deltares devel- first time and considered in conjunction. That integrated oped the four Delta Scenarios. They approach makes it possible to determine the right strategies, not only for water management but also for other plot climatological, economic, dem sectors such as nature, agriculture and spatial planning. ographic and spatial developments, Uncertainties factors that are important for water The Delta Scenarios are descriptions of possible futures management, and look at how they that delimit the uncertainties that policy development for the long term must always address. These devel- interact. opments are trends. Willem Bruggeman, a strategic consultant with Deltares and the coordinator for the content of the Delta Scenarios: ‘Scenarios don’t show exactly what is going to happen; they provide plausible bandwidths for uncertain developments. That

22 means that policymakers know the margins affecting recently, water management circles in the Nether- their policy strategies. The Delta Scenarios set out lands were always obsessed by maximising protection,’ the margins for the factors that are relevant for water explains Willem Bruggeman. ‘The most extreme situ- management. They allow the Delta Programme policy ation was adopted as the guiding principle. But water makers to work with the uncertainties. In the end, we management is expensive and involves major uncer- drew up four scenarios based on all the data from the tainties when it comes to long-term planning. A few planning agencies, with a range of margins for factors years ago, then, people started to think about whether such as population growth, urbanisation, levels of investments should be made in expensive measures that climate change and land use. Each scenario also states admittedly provided the maximum level of protection the implications for water management.’ but sometimes turned out to have been unnecessary with hindsight because conditions had not turned out as Regional expected.’ The Delta Scenarios completed in 2012 are a refinement The Delta Scenarios, which can be revised periodically, of the first version from 2010. Willem Bruggeman: ’The are a way of preventing this and responding flexibly. first version failed to account for the causal link between Willem Bruggeman: ‘This allows policymakers to antici- population growth, economic development and climate pate developments and change course. The regular change, and how this could affect sectors such as agri- updating of the scenarios allows policymakers to keep culture and shipping, and therefore land use. The second their fingers on the pulse. That builds in flexibility and version does much more justice to those interactions. prevents excessive investment.’ This makes the future much clearer and creates more ‘Scenarios state the plausible bandwidths for un certain developments’ interesting storylines. In addition, this version can also Practical application describe developments at the regional level. We can now The Delta Programme has been split up into nine use detailed map images to show land use or climate sub-programmes; three with a general theme and six development in particular areas over periods of 50 or focusing on a specific area. The policymakers in the 100 years.’ programmes are now preparing their preferred strategies. To determine whether their decisions are robust Flexible enough, they are being checked using the projections in Scenarios like this for water management are being the Delta Scenarios. ‘That’s the unique thing about the made for the first time now because they required an Delta scenarios,’ emphasises Willem Bruggeman. ‘Most enormous shift in thinking about flood protection. ‘Until scenarios for the future are abstract and theoretical, but the Delta Scenarios are applied directly in practice. So there has been a lot of interest from abroad.’

Climate change is the most high-profile relevant factor for water management, but land use, infrastructure and population density *Central Planning Office, Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute, also affect our vulnerability to flooding and water shortages. Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency and Agricultural Economics Research Institute.

Annual Review 2012 23 PROJECTS sustainable delta planning

Delta governance gives directors, policy makers and private parties tools for designing delta areas so that the different functions can be combined.

Water management of the future 2012 saw the launch of the transfor- mation of the Koopmanspolder into the first ‘inland shore’ in the Nether- lands. The sixteen-hectare polder has become a testing site for the water management of the future. Deltares was involved in the development of the concept and it will be monitoring the project in collaboration with the Dutch National Forestry Depart- ment, volunteers and the Hoogheem- raadschap Hollands Noorderkwartier water authority. ‘Inland shores’ provide flexible water storage behind the dikes of nationally managed waters in combination with multi- Adaptive delta management is also increasing interest in adaptive functional land use and new earning Deltares further developed the delta management from outside the models. The flexible water stores concept of ‘adaptive delta manage- Delta Programme. mean that water can be stored or ment’. That involved implementing discharged from these areas as the concept and governance factors. Delta governance required. The polder is connected Adaptive delta management was Decision-making in deltas is not to the IJsselmeer by a fish-friendly developed for the Delta Programme. simple. The physical system is Archimedean screw so that it can act It opens up the way to the smarter complex by nature and the scale as a spawning ground for fish. management of uncertainties in the is large. Land use is intensive and ‘Inland shores’ are an innovative field of climate change and social varied, and functions are closely concept that is being developed as change. There is an additional focus linked. In addition, there are uncer- part of Rijkswaterstaat’s Corporate on four issues: linking the short tain socio-economic developments Innovation Programme. The project and long terms, building flexibility in the future, and climate change, for is the result of a joint initiative into solutions, working with several example, is another source of uncer- involving the provincial authorities interchangeable strategies, and tainty. of North Holland, the Hoogheem- combining different investment How do you manage such a complex raadschap Hollands Noorderkwartier agendas. Deltares was the spiritual and dynamic area? That requires water authority, Rijkswaterstaat, father of adaptive delta management a specific approach to governance: Deltares, the municipality of Medem with the development of the tipping Delta governance. blik and the Dutch National Forestry point method and the adaptation Deltares launched a special research Department. pathways method. The approach programme in this area. Projects in has already been used for the sub- the programme focus on the complex Spatial planning at sea programmes freshwater, IJsselmeer governance challenge in delta areas. In 2012, Deltares completed two and Rhine Estuary/Drecht Towns and projects looking at marine spatial rivers of the Delta Programme. There planning in practice. The projects

24 The Koopmanspolder is being trans- formed into a testing site for the water management of the future.

also addressed the extent to which the guidelines adopted by UNESCO and the EU are adequate. In the first project, Deltares completed a study of the applica- climate and socio-economic develop Master Plan for Beira tion of these guidelines and the expe ments in their regions. The data Deltares won the assignment with rience acquired in the field in Mexico, are presented clearly and in a user- the engineering firm Witteveen en New Zealand, the United States friendly way on a large flat touch Bos to develop the ‘2035 Master and the Netherlands. The study will screen. Policymakers and other Plan’ for the harbour of Beira in increase further understanding in people involved in the area can draw Mozambique. The Master Plan the Netherlands and help Deltares what they know in the atlas and involves working together with the to contribute to sustainable marine discuss their local knowledge. In that parties involved to develop a vision spatial planning throughout the way, they can appraise the future for a sustainable, safe and pros- world. resilience of policies and design perous city. Beira is facing numerous Deltares conducted the second possible adaptation strategies. challenges. The low-lying location project, MASPNOSE, at the request The climate adaptation atlas was and the poor condition of the coastal of EU-DG Mare, in collaboration with developed by a consortium that defences leave the city vulnerable other research institutes and univer- included Deltares, and also Alterra, to sea level rise. Intense precipita- sities (Centre for Marine Policy, vTI, Geodan, Geocycli bv and CEGIS. It has tion and the poor condition of the Ghent University and DTU-Aqua). A already been rolled out in the Nether- drainage system are resulting in dialogue was established between lands. The concept was also used in increasing problems with excess government authorities and stake- the Syllhet region in Bangladesh in water and flooding. The effects are holders involved in two international 2012. Deltares and Alterra mapped being aggravated by climate change. areas, including Dogger Bank, to see out the possible impact of climate The port is also expanding rapidly, whether the principles in place at the change on food supplies (in this case, and the traffic system and other moment are adequate. rice farming) and urban development infrastructure cannot cope. Institu- in the region. The possible adaptive tional factors and spatial develop Climate adaptation atlas measures and their spatial impact ment are a major concern. The The climate adaptation atlas were then developed and discussed project is part of the Water Mondiaal provides policymakers with scien- with all parties concerned. (Global Water) programme, and tific information about the changing it demonstrates the importance of Africa as a region of economic growth. Deltares is the lead partner in the consortium implementing the project. Alongside Witteveen en Bos, the sub-contractors include: Wissing Stedenbouw en Ruimtelijke Vorm- geving bv, Van den Broek Consulting and Niras, Mozambique Lda.

The Climate adaptation atlas was used in the Sylhet region in Bangladesh.

Annual Review 2012 25 PROJECTS software

better desicions with new hydro software

Deltares hydraulic software has been Many decisions and plans from water authorities are leading the way for decades now. prepared and underpinned with hydraulic software. So it is important for that software to provide accurate Numerous people throughout the world and reliable information about water movements, water quality and controlling engineering structures. With use it to make decisions about water thousands of users throughout the world, Deltares has systems. But things can always be been demonstrating for decades that its software meets stringent standards. faster, better and more user-friendly. A number of packages have, since From five to one Nevertheless, the bar can always be set higher. We are 2011, been integrated and undergone constantly learning more about the water system and a fundamental technological overhaul there are ongoing technical innovations. Since 2011, Deltares has been combining these two strands in the as part of the ‘Next Generation Hydro project ‘Next Generation Hydro Software’. Five software Software’ process. The first products programs for the everyday management of canals, rivers and seas are currently being integrated in a single were completed in 2012. package. The main objective: to ensure that water managers take better decisions on the basis of faster and clearer information about water movements and the effect of measures.

Striking The most striking innovation is the new computational core, which works faster than the present version, and has the capacity to process large amounts of data as well as a flexible mesh. ‘Computational cores can often operate for decades,’ says Joost Icke, who works at the Deltares Software Centre and who is the project leader for Next Generation Hydro Software. ‘So this is an important and far-reaching innovation. The computational core for the new software contains a lot of new knowledge from Deltares, for example about various physical processes. So water managers are better informed about how the water system behaves.’ ‘There is also a strong emphasis on user-friendliness and the user interface has been given a drastic overhaul,’ explains Joost Icke. ‘The new software is more closely tailored to the day-to-day working practices of water system modellers. It will be easier for them to process the data for a catchment and the area will be presented more clearly. For example, the open modelling environment makes it possible to couple several models and a Arthur van Dam (left) and Joost Icke (right), the Next Generation map of the catchment is on the display at all times. As a Hydro Software project leaders.

26 result, several measures affecting the catchment can be The flexible mesh makes integrated studies of complex catch- seen at a glance.’ ments simpler and more accurate.

Completed The first Next Generation Hydro Software product was lot from modellers. The same is true if you want to work completed in late 2012 as SOBEK 3. It included two out the local effects of certain measures for a given area. improved modules from the current SOBEK suite: D-Flow With a flexible mesh, you don’t have to couple all the 1D Open Water supply, and D-Real Time Control. In different data because it shows the entire catchment. these modules, the user interface, editing the area and This results in a realistic picture so that the impact of the control model have got much faster and more user- measures can be calculated at every level.’ friendly. The improved SOBEK modules D-Rainfall Runoff The pilot projects with the flexible mesh were conducted Open Water and D-Water Quality 1D will follow in 2013. both in the Netherlands and abroad. Arthur van Dam: ‘We deal primarily with complex areas. San Fran- Flexible mesh cisco Bay, for example, a delta with a complex network In addition, 2012 saw a range of pilot projects using the of polders and small canals. This is a highly valuable flexible mesh, a major innovation. It is being developed ecological system but it is threatened by the enormous under the name D-Flow Flexible Mesh and it will be tested demand for fresh water and a range of industries. What and refined on the basis of the pilot projects. Arthur are the implications of all these developments for the van Dam, who also works at the Deltares Software ecosystem and water quality? For an answer to this ‘With the new software, coordination is the core’

Centre, is closely involved. ‘The flexible mesh makes question, we need an integrated model of the area and integrated studies of complex catchments simple and the new software allowed us to generate one. We have more accurate. At the moment, modelling a catchment also conducted pilot projects for the Wadden Sea, the means using separate software for every section: each Waal and the Eastern Scheldt and in South America, Asia program builds one piece. Then all the calculations have and Australia.’ to be linked up. That is a complex challenge that asks a Coordination The users of the new software are enthusiastic. Not just Open source because it works faster and more simply, but above all because it provides more accurate results. ‘With the new Deltares has an open software policy that focuses software, coordination is the core,’ explains Joost Icke. on partnership and sharing knowledge. The Next ‘Catchments can be shown in an integrated way, both Generation Hydro Software will also be available spatially and in depth, and several issues can be linked in the near future as open source software. This in at the same time. That produces a picture that is close is a gradual process: the first step involves estab- to reality. And that is what makes this soft- lishing a community based on the software. ware unique.’ The Next Generation Hydro Software will be completed in 2014.

Annual Review 2012 27 PROJECTS software

June saw the launch of the serious game ‘Green Island’, a game to raise awareness about sustainability among school pupils.

reached 3109 by the end of 2012. After careful consideration, Deltares made the switch to open source in 2011 with a number of modules in the Delft3D package. Now users have the source code, they can link their own research and functionalities directly to Delft3D and build on that basis. The philosophy is working, as can be seen by the number of doctorate studies listed on the Serious games 3Di Water Management Delft3D portal, which cover a range After the trial version had been The 3Di Water Management system of subjects including tidal energy, tested, the market version of the has been developed further. By water quality and morphology. ‘Sustainable Delta Game’ was linking the flood model to a hydro- Richard Measures of the National launched in 2012. The ‘Sustainable logical component, it is possible to Institute of Water and Atmospheric Delta Game’ helps water managers establish a picture of water prob- Research (NIWA) in New Zealand was to prepare for the future. lems and water storage require- crowned ‘Delft3D best contributor of June saw the launch of the serious ments. As a result, urban designers the year 2012’ during the Delft Soft- game ‘Green Island’. Deltares devel- can make changes to areas inter- ware Days in November in Delft. He oped the 3D game for secondary actively and see how they affect received the award for his research schools on behalf of Delft University water problems in the future. into gravel sediment transport in of Technology. The aim Pilot projects were conducted in rivers. The application was included of the game is to raise Rotterdam and Amsterdam. 3Di in the new Delft3D release. awareness of sustain- brings together research insti- 2012 saw preparations for switching ability among school- tutes (including Deltares), water to open source with a number of children. managers and consultancy firms, other products. They will be available who work together on in 2013. They include ‘Dike Patrol’ App a very precise and fast DELWAQ, D-Flow Deltares launched an app based on information system for Flexible Mesh and the serious game ‘Dike Patrol’. The coping with floods in DeltaShell framework. app is an introduction to the serious rural and urban areas. game that shows inspectors which Dike strength Analysis Module factors they should focus on during Open source successful The DAM program (Dike strength dike inspections. The app is available The number of people registered on Analysis Module) is a modular plat- free in Android and Apple versions. the Delft3D open source site doubled form for calculating dike strength in 2012 compared to 2011. At that in long sections of flood defences. It time, 1280 people had downloaded can draw on water level forecasts or the source code; that number had selected water levels to test dikes

28 3Di brings together research institutes, water managers and consultancy firms, who work together on a very precise and fast information system for coping with floods in rural and urban areas.

for piping and macrostability. The system can be used in both day-to- day management situations and during possible emergencies. That allows water authorities to make a better assessment of flood risks and to initiate action or emergency responses in good time. DAM was originally developed by Deltares and, with help from STOWA and the users, it is now in wide use and undergoing of Rijkswaterstaat, in part working method makes it possible to look further development. In 2012, DAM together with HKV, TNO and IBM ahead up to a few thousand years. was introduced at, for example, the in the Flood Control 2015 research This development is a response to water authorities Groot Salland, programme. the demand for more long-term Hollands Noorderkwartier, Hollandse The Water Coach was used success- information about deltas. Long-term Delta and Delfland. Agreement was fully in the large exercise organised issues are becoming increasingly reached in late 2012 with the Wetter- by WMCN in November 2011. Since urgent, not only for Rijkswaterstaat skip Fryslân water authority that then, the Water Coach has been a but also for the oil and gas industry. Deltares would help the authority part of the WMCN personal training Delft3D Fast Forward involved to test 2600 kilometres of regional plan. During the presentation of the teaming up with Delft University dikes using DAM. Water Coach at the International of Technology, Utrecht University FEWS user days in late 2012, there and IHE-Unesco for Rijkswaterstaat, Water Coach was considerable interest in the tool. Statoil and CononcoPhilips. Deltares developed the ‘Water Coach’ simulation tool for professionals Delft3D Fast Forward Delft-FEWS Community Portal involved in water level forecasting. A special functionality was developed The Delft-FEWS Community Portal The tool allows them to practice for Delft3D that looks further ahead. was launched officially. The portal making forecasts in very realistic Delft3D can make numerical calcu- provides information about the conditions. lations of changes in morphology Delft-FEWS Platform. It is a channel The Water Coach was developed on as a function of flows and sediment of communications for Delft-FEWS instructions from the Water Manage- transport. The usual time scale developers, clients, experts and ment Centre Netherlands (WMCN) ranges from days to years. A new project managers. It is also a way of putting users from throughout the world in touch with one another The DAM (Dike strength Analysis Module) program can determine dike strength for long and allowing them to discuss new dike sections. innovative applications. In late 2012, there were 300 registered users and the software was downloaded more than 200 times.

Annual Review 2012 29 PROJECTS facilities

Deltares tested a new method in the Atlantic Basin for tackling scour at sea. This is a special structure developed by the GeoHooks company.

Ningaloo Reef located on the western coast is a ‘fringing reef’ situated near the coastline. Coral reefs are under pressure throughout the world as a result of climate change, tourism, sewage and port construction. This scale test was the first fundamental study of the effect that a reef has on wave dynamics and the coastline behind the reef. The results will be used to extend the open source software model XBeach. ATLANTIC BASIN SCHELDT FLUME Geohooks Toe structure of harbour breakwaters DELTA BASIN Deltares tested a new method in the A large number of tests were Boa Vista breakwater Atlantic Basin for tackling scour at conducted with a range of toe struc- Storms inflicted severe damage on sea. This is a special structure devel- tures for breakwaters. The aim is the Sal Rai port, which was under oped by the GeoHooks company. The to establish more accurate design construction on the Cape Verdean GeoHooks structure uses Ground rules for the toes. This could generate island of Boa Vista. This raised Consolidators (GCs). These are open savings during construction doubts about the original design, and cubes that interlock when they are amounting to millions of euros. The Deltares and Royal Haskoning DHV put into place, forming a mattress. test was conducted in the Scheldt were asked to devise and test a new Because the cubes are open, they Flume, looking at a range of struc- design. Model testing was conducted gradually fill up with sand. The tures in different wave conditions. in the Delta Basin looking at the resulting layer protects the bed or This was the first systematic study detailed structure and the entire bank below it. Deltares tested the of this field on such a large scale. design for the harbour. An innovative GCs to see whether they can also be structure with flat concrete blocks used to protect the bed near under- Coral reef proved to be the cheapest alterna- water pipelines and around offshore A range of coral-reef tests were tive. wind turbines. The tests showed that conducted in the Scheldt Flume. GCs are a useful remedy in ‘free span’ The aim was to determine the extent WATER SOIL FLUME conditions. Further studies will be to which degradation and changes Bubble plume New Waterway needed to look at how GCs perform in the coral affect waves and the Scale tests were conducted in the as a way of preventing scour around implications for the coast behind Water Soil Flume with a plume of offshore wind turbines. the reef. Changes in wave patterns bubbles that is part of a system that can result in more coastal erosion, may be installed in the Rhine-Meuse undermining coastal protection. The estuary to counteract salinisation test was conducted for the University during dry periods. The study looked of Western Australia in Perth. The at how the plume should be adjusted

30 Scale tests were conducted in the Water Soil Flume to study a plume of bubbles as a way of counteracting salinisation.

to prevent salinisation as effectively engaged in studies of the erosion of it was used to test two innovative as possible when river flow rates are sandy beaches at different ground- solutions for piping. The European low. Computer calculations were water levels and in a variety of wave FloodProBE programme has demon- made to back up the scale tests. conditions. Specifically for this strated that Biogrout is effective as A special device blows bubbles into study, a 75-metre-wide sandy beach a way of bonding sand. On behalf of the water, mixing up salt and fresh was modelled in the Delta Flume. A the Rivierenland water authority, water. It has already been demon- large number of monitoring devices an integrated development project strated that this is an effective were installed on and in the sand in was launched focusing on the use of way of counteracting salinisation. order to monitor the dynamic beha geotextile as a way of counteracting However, adjusting the plumes is a viour of the beach. The scientists had piping. The first step consisted delicate matter. If not enough air is established contacts with Deltares of successful model tests, which blown into the water, the plumes do through the European programme resulted later that year in an equally not have enough effect. If too much HYDRALAB, which is intended to successful full-scale field trial at the air is blown into the water, energy is provide access to European hydraulic IJkdijk. wasted. The researchers hoped the research facilities for scientists to scale tests would allow them to get whom these facilities are usually to grips with this process. barred.

DELTA FLUME MODEL HALL Erosion of sandy beaches Piping study In the Delta Flume, a group of 25 A medium-scale piping model scientists from different universi- container was developed some years A range of coral-reef tests were conducted ties in Europe, America and Australia ago for a doctorate study. In 2012, in the Scheldt Flume.

Annual Review 2012 31 Visits Alliances Conferences/Training Publications

32 Sharing knowledge Sharing knowledge extends knowledge. So all our knowledge is available to everybody. In 2012, we had a large number of visitors, engaged in national and international alliances, organised numerous conferences and courses, and produced a range of publications.

Annual Review 2012 33 SHARING KNOWLEDGE visits

State Secretary On 9 January, Ben Knapen, the State Secretary for Development Coopera- tion, was at Deltares to present his policy Water for Development. He told a large number of guests from the water sector how the Netherlands intends to contribute to solutions to the water challenges facing developing countries in the coming years.

Ambassadors Colombia’s ambassador to the Netherlands and the Dutch ambassador to Colombia visited Deltares on 1 February. Deltares has been helping Colombia for a few years now to limit flood risks. On 22 February, Deltares was host to James Lamberts, the Canadian ambassador to the Netherlands. He was brought up to speed on Deltares activities in Canada. Dr. V. Balakrishnan, the Minister of Environment and Water Resources of Singapore. In mid-July, the new Dutch ambassador to Benin, Jos van Aggelen, in flood protection. He was accompa Recources, attended a conference visited Deltares as part of his review nied by a delegation from the Thai organised especially for him in of the Dutch water sector. Ministry of Science and Technology. April. The theme of the conference The Chinese Minister of Water was Adaptation to the effects of Ministers Resources, Mr Chen Lei, visited Climate Change and Urban Flooding On 29 February, Deltares was Deltares on 21 March. He had in the Netherlands and Singapore, honoured by a visit from Dr. Plod- discussions about a range of topics, and there was a network meeting prasop, the Thai Minister of Science including possible alliances. when the conference ended. The and Technology, who wanted to know Dr. V. Balakrishnan, Singapore’s speakers at the conference were more about the latest developments Minister of Environment and Water Dr. Balakrishnan, Vladan Babovic (Deltares Singapore), Ingwer de Boer (the director of Room for the River), Cees Veerman (the chair of the Deltares Supervisory board and the former Delta Commissioner) and Jaap Kwadijk (the Deltares Scientific Director and a specialist in climate change). On 23 November, we were host to Rogelio Singson, the Minister of Public Works and Traffic in the Phil- ippines. He came to talk about the Master Plan for the Metro Manila.

The Chinese Minister of Water Resources, Mr. Chen Lei, paid a visit on 21 March and discussed topics that included possible collaboration in the future. 34 Italian water managers came to hear more about the governance aspects of water management.

Japanese engineers research on the Kalpasar project in Mekong River Commission A delegation from the Japanese the Gulf of Khambat. The Mekong River Commission Association of Pump Systems Engi- visited on 30 November. The neering (APS) visited Deltares on 5 Italian water managers commission includes representatives July. The visit was organised as a On 8 October, a group of Italian from Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and result of the 2011 tsunami, which policymak ers from various regions, Vietnam, which manage the Mekong damaged large numbers of pumping including Tuscany, Veneto, Emilia- jointly. The Commission wanted to stations. This made water manage- Romagna and Lazio, visited Deltares. look at how Europe manages river ment very difficult indeed, and even Their main interest was in learning basins that cross national bounda- impossible for a while. more about the governance aspects ries. The APS has launched a programme of major water management for preventing the recurrence of projects. Colombia situations such as this and it is Mid-December saw the arrival reviewing the possible options. The South Korea of a delegation from Colombia visit included presentations about, On 28 November, a Korean delega- comprising staff from the IDEAM for example, Deltares software tion led by Mr. Kwon Tae-sung, a meteorological institute, the programs that can state how far a deputy minister and the head of the National Planning Department and tsunami can penetrate inland, and Executive Office of the Saemangeum the Ministry of Environment and how high the water will be. Development Planning Department, Sustainable Development. They came to Delft. The delegation was in wanted to learn more about the Delegation from India the Netherlands to exchange knowl- opportunities provided by Deltares. Dr. Sivakholundu of the National edge about the Seamangeum land The Colombian institutions are Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) reclamation project. Saemangeum involved in the FEWS project, the in India came to Deltares in late will be the iconic Asian project for flood forecasting system that August to explore possible avenues sustainable land and water develop- Deltares established jointly with for joint activities. The discus- ment in the 21st century. them in Colombia. sions included topics such as joint

Annual Review 2012 35 SHARING KNOWLEDGE alliances

Alterra and IMARES Deltares, Alterra and IMARES have signed an alliance agreement. This will make it easier for government authorities and business to draw on the shared knowledge of these research institutes. The alliance will ensure that clients receive integrated answers to questions about the coast and the sea, catchments and groundwater, delta areas, the habitat and land use.

Noorderzijlvest Deltares renewed its collaboration with the Noorderzijlvest water authority (Groningen). This alliance was established in 2011 and it focuses on introducing improvements to the water authority’s water system. The main emphasis is on Deltares signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), ‘Partners in development for Delft3D WAQ’ with the UK research institute HR Wallingford. the further optimisation of flood forecasts. The water authority can now cope better with uncertainties practice and to refine it further. was signed with the Kasetsart in forecasts about water levels. It University in Bangkok to promote can also control pumping stations NUSDeltares exchanges of knowledge in the field and engineering structures better, The alliance with the National of water and geo-engineering. achieving major energy, and there- University of Singapore was fore cost, savings. For Deltares, this continued under a new name: Witteveen+Bos alliance is an opportunity to apply NUSDeltares. Deltares and the The consultancy and engineering knowledge about flood predictions in university want to use NUSDeltares firm Witteveen+Bos and Deltares to pool and further develop their signed an agreement in mid-March Deltares and the National University of knowledge in various areas relating with the aim of working together Singapore are pooling their expertise in NUSDeltares in various areas relating to to water management in Singapore even more efficiently in the future. water management. and Southeast Asia. NUSDeltares In this way, both parties aim to will be engaging in research in boost each other’s position in a areas such as urban water manage- way that matches the philosophy ment, climate adaptation and water underlying the Water Top Sector: management systems. To achieve making strengths stronger and these aims, NUSDeltares will be making better use of the knowledge establishing a network of consult- sector. Deltares and Witteveen+Bos ants and researchers throughout often collaborate on international Southeast Asia, and organising local and domestic projects. The bilateral study opportunities and training. agreement eliminates a number of legal and administrative obstacles, Thailand opening up the way to more efficient A Memorandum of Understanding joint ventures.

36 HR Wallingford IDEAM the Changjiang and the Han meet. Deltares signed the Memorandum of In late June, Deltares was in Bogota Deltares will be exchanging knowl- Understanding (MoU), ‘Partners in to sign an agreement for an alliance edge with a view to improving the development for Delft3D WAQ’ with with IDEAM, the Colombian institute navigability, as well as the bank and the UK research institute HR Walling- for meteorology, hydrology and the dike surfaces, of the Changjiang. ford. The signing of the MoU estab- environment, and one of Deltares’ The cooperation agreement will also lished the basis for intensive collabo- sister institutes. The agreement is include the Harbours & Waterways ration and developments in the field a major step forward in knowledge Department of Delft University of of water quality and sediment trans- exchange about water manage- Technology, with whom the CWPDRI port with Delft3D WAQ. ment. It covers knowledge relating will be exchanging knowledge about to hydrological modelling, climate waterways. SARA change and forecasting systems. On 10 May, Deltares and SARA The new agreement also involves Canada signed a letter stating their intention UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water On 7 September, the covenant to renew their alliance. SARA facili- Education. ‘Partners for International Busi- tates knowledge development by ness Water and Soil Canada’ was supplying university researchers and HKV signed by a number of Dutch business with the most advanced ICT On 5 July, a framework agreement companies and research institutes infrastructure and the associated was signed with the research and including Deltares. The aim of this services. By joining forces, Deltares consultancy firm HKV lijn in water. It covenant is to encourage the export and SARA can further develop their will allow Deltares and HKV to team of Dutch know-how, products and products and services, and enhance up quickly and flexibly. services in the field of soil remedi their added value for society as a ation, groundwater management whole. The powerful and advanced China and water quality, and to enhance ICT infrastructure that SARA has A ‘Letter of Intent on Scientific Coop- market opportunities in these areas. at its disposal will give Deltares the eration’ was signed in early July with Deltares will use its know-how in opportunity to further develop its the Changjiang Waterway Plan- soil remediation technology and simulation software and to test it on ning Design and Research Institute water quality to facilitate the devel- the latest ICT infrastructure. This will (CWPDRI) when Deltares hosted opment of new opportunities for result in a shared approach to knowl- a delegation from Wuhan in the Dutch companies active in Canada edge development. province of Hubei, which is where in collaboration with governments, companies and universities.

The alliance with the Wetterskip Fryslân water authority began when the Dike strength Wetterskip Fryslân Analysis Module (DAM) developed by Deltares went into operation. Deltares and the Wetterskip Fryslân water authority agreed to work together closely over the next three years on research into new applications for flood protection and water management. This alliance began when the Dike strength Analysis Module (DAM) developed by Deltares went into operation. This software allows the water authority to monitor dike strength when water levels are high.

Annual Review 2012 37 SHARING KNOWLEDGE conferences/training

World Water Forum Deltares Software Days Energy and water At the World Water Forum (WWF) Following the example set by the In cooperation with Delft Univer- from 12 to 17 March in Marseilles, Delft Software Days, Deltares orga sity of Technology, KWR Watercycle Deltares had a stand at the Dutch nised the first Deltares Software Research Institute and the Heat Pavilion housing the Dutch water Days from 11 through 15 June. They Network Foundation, Deltares organ- sector. During the WWF, thousands target Dutch users and focus exclu- ised the ‘Energy and water write the of international visitors discussed sively on Deltares software. More future’ conference on 20 June. international water issues at a large than 300 participants from govern- During the conference, it emerged number of sessions and workshops ment authorities, research institutes that the Netherlands plays a promi- and teamed up to search for concrete and business participated in a large nent role at the international level in solutions. In collaboration with a number of sessions. Users were given water management and processing, large number of other Dutch organi- information about various software but is a long way behind other Euro- sations, Deltares focused on life in packages, but they also had the pean countries in terms of sustain- vulnerable deltas and on the knowl- opportunity to provide developers able energy sources. The conclusion edge and expertise that the Dutch with feedback. was that the government should be water sector has to offer when it doing more to encourage sustain- comes to supplying practical solu- Knowledge festival able energy generation. Deltares tions. At the Knowledge Festival in June in had two speakers at the conference. Delft,Gerard van Meurs from Deltares Ivo Pothof talked about renewable Wastewater Transport theme ran a workshop about TopSurf. This thermal sources and Pascal Boderie afternoon innovative product was co-developed gave an introduction to thermal On 20 March, Deltares organised a by Deltares. It prevents falling land energy from surface water. theme afternoon looking at waste- levels in peat meadows and also water transport, this time as part of enriches the soil. The Knowledge North Sea Days the Rioleringsvakdagen fair. Expe- Festival is the annual meeting place On 4 and 5 October, Deltares organ- riences were exchanged with more for innovative entrepreneurs. ised the 2012 North Sea Days in than 75 participants from water collaboration with the Netherlands authorities, municipal authorities, consultancy firms and suppliers in the field of measuring and monitoring waste water and the use of the CAPWAT manual (CAPacity losses in waste WATer transport systems).

DAT On 19 May, Deltares was at DAT, Delft Amazing Technology, which was organised for the first time in 2012. DAT is a technology event that presents pioneering developments in world of technology and science to a wide public. The theme ‘amazing’ is the common denominator. Deltares selected 3Di water management as the amazing technology it wanted to present.

The Science Day is an activity organised as part of the OktoberKennismaand, the annual, national science festival that is meant to introduce children in a playful way to technology.

38 Institute for Marine Research and Imares. This event offers a platform for scientists, policymakers and businesses interested in the North Sea. For the first time, the North Sea Days had an international flavour.

Science Day

More than 1800 visitors were present Deltares sent a strong delegation to the autumn conference of the AGU, the American at the Deltares activities during the Geophysical Union. Science Day on 21 October in Delft. The Science Day is an activity orga tute for water, HR Wallingford. and developers working in the field of nised as part of the OktoberKennis- During the conference, numerous water, subsurface and infrastructure. maand, the annual, national science national and international policy- Deltares organised a range of activi- festival that is meant to introduce makers, scientists and entrepreneurs ties including open source workshops children in a playful way to the tech- informed the participants about the and the Next Generation Hydro Soft- nology. latest developments in the area of ware conference. At the Deltares stand, the children flood management. (and their parents) were introduced AGU to the serious game ‘Dike Patrol’. A Soil Wide Deltares sent a large delegation to mini-cinema was set up, with several Deltares had a large number of the autumn conference of the AGU, episodes of a children’s science speakers at the Soil Wide (Bodem the American Geophysical Union programme about waves, tsunamis Breed) conference on 28 and 29 (AGU). This is the world’s largest and dikes in which Deltares had been November. Soil Wide is the annual conference in the field of geophysics. involved. soil congress for and by soil profes- It took place from 3 to 7 December in sionals. San Francisco. Delta governance It is home to discussions about It is the meeting place where On 14 November, Deltares teamed the future of soil management and 20,000 scientists, policymakers, up with the Erasmus University in the latest international develop- teachers and students meet to share Rotterdam to organise a conference, ments in the profession. This year, pioneering research. Deltares orga ‘Dynamism in the delta’ about delta the conference paid extra atten- nised posters, working sessions and governance. Managing and planning tion to the further integration of the presentations to highlight its latest deltas is one of the most complex soil and water disciplines. Deltares research in the area of morphology, issues of our time. The conference staff gave introductions to topics falling land levels, floods, software, included the discussion of new including developments in remedi water quality and drought. governance concepts that do justice ation techniques, ecosystem services to the complexity of this challenge. in rural areas, falling land levels (the Deltares Academy It dealt with topics such as adap- New Orleans case), new risks in soil Deltares Academy organised more tive delta management, sustainable management (such as antibiotic than seventy courses and ten webinars planning for delta cities and multiple resistance) and soil energy. in 2012. A number of courses were land use. organised with partners who included Delft Software Days PAO, Geoplan, Stichting Wateroplei- Floodrisk After last year’s success, Deltares dingen, Elsevier opleidingen, Delft The second FLOODrisk, the European organised the Delft Software Days Software Australia. and ASA South conference about flood risks, was for the second time from 19 to 30 America. Sixty Deltares employees organised from 20 to 22 November. November. The international event were active as part-time teachers at FLOODrisk2012 was organised by included lectures, workshops and educational institutions (including Deltares and the UK research insti- courses for and by software users universities and UNESCO-IHE).

Annual Review 2012 39 SHARING KNOWLEDGE publications

Rhine at Risk? a wide range of phenomena such theless, taking the different ways as the stability of stones in flowing in which the game is played into water, granulate filters, the erosion account and making adjustments of grass covers, and scour. The publi- accordingly can further improve skill cation looks at both theory and prac- levels and the efficacy of the game. tice. On the basis of the fundamental The study was particularly valuable principles, it establishes formulae because it demonstrated that which can be used directly in engi- serious games really work. Casper neering practice. Harteveld also identified the factors that are involved during the playing of the game. It emerged that we need to take the diversity of the players into account more. There is also room for improvement in terms of the feedback during the game. The players did learn from the feedback. However, in general, that made them better at playing the game, not at Aline te Linde’s doctoral thesis assessing the significance of virtual Rhine at Risk? was published in the risks. If we take these factors into Deltares Select Series (DSS no 9). account, a lot of gains can still be It demonstrates that, by 2030, the made in terms of efficacy. annual forecast damage as a result of flooding in the Rhine basin could be half as much again, or even more than twice as much, as in 2000. Three quarters of this increase is Effectiveness of Serious game accounted for by climate change, ‘Dike Patrol’ and a quarter by socio-economic ‘Dike Patrol’, the serious game devel- developments. The model calcula- oped by Deltares, is used throughout tions also showed that the flood risk the world to train dike inspectors. But at Lobith (where the Rhine enters the how effective is the game? Can dike Netherlands) in 2050 will be between inspectors learn from virtual risks? three and five times higher than it And if there is a learning curve, which is now but that the impact in the factors play a role? Netherlands will be relatively reduced Casper Harteveld examined these because the safety level provided questions as part of his doctorate by German dikes is lower, and so at Delft University of Technology. flooding there will occur faster. His thesis was published under the title Making sense of virtual risks. A Interaction between soil and quasi-experimental investigation water into game-based training in de In The influence of turbulence on Deltares Select Series. soil erosion, Deltares employee Gijs His main conclusions were that Hoffmans collected all his knowledge players of ‘Dike Patrol’ knew signifi- and experience about how soil inter- cantly more about dike failure after acts with flowing water. The book playing the game and were able (Deltares Select Series no 10) covers to report more effectively. Never-

40 Latest design rules for geo a great deal of information about the How prepared is the Nether- textile sand elements stability, failure mechanisms and lands for floods? operation of the sand elements. The studies resulted in the tightening up of the design rules. The new publication describes and explains them extensively. The book also includes examples of calculations showing how the design rules should be put into practice. The authors focus on four applications.

Modern Fortran Arjen Markus, a senior consultant/ researcher at the Deltares Software Centre, published a book about the latest Fortran Standard. In Modern Fortran in practice, Arjen Markus shows that Fortran is a modern and Geotextile sand elements can be versatile programming language. After the major floods in New Orleans a cheap and sustainable alterna- He explains how to use the different caused by hurricane Katrina, the tive to traditional solutions such as Fortran features, for example Netherlands realised that valuable quarry stone when building dams, during the manipulation of entire lessons could be learned from events dikes or groynes. One benefit is that arrays, object-oriented and parallel there. The result was the establish- local sand can be used as a filler mat- programming. But he also looks at ment of an alliance in 2009 between erial, eliminating the need to quarry the interaction with other program- seven American and Dutch knowl- and transport quarry stone, and ming languages. Arjen Markus edge institutes, the NUWCReN. generating savings (particularly in acquired his expertise and experience Flood preparedness in the Nether- transport) and reducing the burden with Fortran over a period of more lands, a US perspective describes on the environment. Nevertheless, than 25 years working for Deltares the results: what needs to happen these elements are still used rela- (and its predecessor WL | Delft to be well prepared for floods? The tively little. The main causes: a lack Hydraulics). publication looks at experience in of familiarity with the opportunities the USA - limited budgets, low levels they afford and the lack of adequate of public risk awareness and little design rules. sense of political urgency - from a Geosystems. Design Rules and Dutch perspective. The areas exam- Applications, which was edited by ined are flood scenarios, coping with Deltares employees Adam Bezuijen uncertainties, self-help, coping with and Erik Vastenburg, addresses a large-scale disaster, vertical evacu both these objections. The publica- ation, the role of private parties, tion revises and updates CUR 217, health risks and raising risk aware- which covered the same area, albeit ness. a number of years ago. Since then, a lot of research has been conducted. The publication includes the results of those recent studies, which include a number of scale trials in the Deltares Delta flume that generated

Annual Review 2012 41 Figures Supervisory Board/ Advisory Board Scientific Council Board of directors Staff Awards Doctorates/Professorships New building

42 Organisation There were many developments at Deltares in 2012. There was a change at the helm at the management level and the position of the Scientific Council was reviewed and upgraded. And new building work started in both Delft and Utrecht.

Annual Review 2012 43 ORGANISATION figures

Explanatory notes International assignments as a share of total revenue In 2012, net revenue amounted to 111 million euros, increased from 19 per cent in 2011 to 23 per cent in the with more than 25 million euros being outsourced to year under review. Our activities increased particularly third parties. Revenue in 2011 was € 112 million. The fall in Southeast Asia and the Middle East. is related to a decline in the domestic volume of sales. In particular, there were fewer assignments from the corpo- In 2012, major investments were made in new office rate sector. space and in the facilities, both in Delft and in Utrecht. The decline in domestic demand was offset by an The goal is to house all our staff at one of these locations increase in activities abroad. As a result, revenue was by the end of 2013. maintained despite the economic crisis. At € 1,790,000, the operating result was also in line with The number of employees fell slightly. This was the last year. Net profits at year end were € 1,768,000. This result of the strategic decision taken in 2011 to leave amount has been added to net equity. more routine activities at the Geotechnical laboratory in Delft and the Joint Research Laboratory in Utrecht to More than 40 per cent of the total revenue was from the market. The impact on the organisation and staffing demand-driven research for national government. The became apparent in 2012. contribution for the strategic research programme, in which the Ministry for Economic Affairs is the lead partner, amounted to 12 million euros. Deltares developed knowledge for the primary process for the Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment. The contribution relating to these activities rose slightly in 2012 to 34 million, not including VAT. The remaining domestic revenue was generated by requests from government authorities such as water boards, provincial authorities, municipal authorities and the private sector.

Income statement as at 31 december 2012 (After result appropriation)

INCOME STATEMENT 2012 2011 Eur (x 1,000) Eur (x 1,000)

Net revenue 110,867 112,135 Subcontracted work 25,374 25,205 Gross margin 85,493 86,930

Total operating expenses 83,703 85,113

Operating results 1,790 1,817

Financial income and expenditure -22 417 Income from participating interests 0 11

Net income 1,768 2,245

44 Revenu distribution 2012

Demand-driven research, national government 41% Dutch government authorities 19% Government authorities, other countries 9% Dutch corporate sector 17% Corporate sector, other countries 14%

BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2012 (AFTER PROFIT APPROPRIATION)

ASSETS 31 December 2012 31 December 2011 Eur (x 1,000) Eur (x 1,000)

Fixed Assets

Tangible fixed assets 47,053 34,616 Financial fixed assets 213 136

Current Assets

Inventory 162 145 Receivables 20,760 18,522 Securities 0 8 Cash 46,362 43,187

Total assets 114,550 96,614

LIABILITIES

Capital and reserves

Capital paid-up and called-up 42,082 40,314

Provisions 3,822 4,598

Long-term liabilities 30,736 19,546

Current liabilities 37,910 32,156

Total liabilities 114,550 96,614

Annual Review 2012 45 ORGANISATION supervisory board/advisory board

Supervisory Board

Members: • Professor Cees Veerman, chairman (CEO Bracamonte bv) • drs. ing. Jan Bout (former chairman of the Board of Management of Royal Haskoning) • drs. Dorine Burmanje (Land Registry) Professor Cees Veerman. Professor Jacob Fokkema. • Professor Anne van Doorne-Huiskes (partner at Van DoorneHuiskes en partners, Emeritus Professor of Sociology, Utrecht University) Advisory Board • ir. Karien van Gennip MBA (ING) • drs. Ton Nelissen (former member of the Board of Members: Management of Dura Vermeer Groep nv) • Professor Jacob Fokkema, chairman (Delft University • ing. Koos Van Oord (former managing director of Van of Technology) Oord NV) • ir. Piet Besselink (DHV) • Professor Rietje van Dam-Mieras (Leiden University) Note: • Professor Aad van der Horst (BAM Infraconsult) The Supervisory Board is keeping a close eye on govern • ir. Kees Slingerland (Alterra Wageningen University) ment and market developments and the response of • ir. Arnold Steenbakker (Fugro) the board of directors. In 2012, Deltares started on • Professor Marcel Stive (Delft University of Technology) the implementation of the 2012-2015 Strategic Plan. • Professor Bert van der Zwaan (Utrecht University) The Supervisory Board subscribes to the strategy the plan sets out and notes that Deltares is well on course. Note: Deltares is developing into an internationally recog- The Deltares mission is to develop and apply socially nised independent top institute and it is participating in relevant knowledge in the areas of water, subsurface and projects and research programmes at the global level. infrastructure. The external Advisory Council serves as a The knowledge developed in that way is being made sounding board for the directors in terms of the effective available to Dutch society: both government and busi- fulfilment of this mission. ness. The Council met twice in 2012. The discussions covered The Council met on four occasions in 2012 and the topics such as the Knowledge Position Audit of Deltares audit committee met twice. The attendance level was conducted by an international committee in 2012. The 80 per cent. Members Van Gennip and Burmanje were appraisal was good and the recommendations are being re-appointed in late 2012. The Council selected and implemented. There was a strong focus on the develop- appointed the new managing director after an open ment of the national innovation policy, particularly in application procedure on the basis of a profile estab the Water Top Sector, and the underlying Delta Tech- lished by the Works Council. nology innovation contract, as well as the business The Supervisory Board conducted an extensive self- cases. The Council has also looked at new initiatives, evaluation in late 2012 in the form of a survey addressed such as DeltaresTrack, which aim to provide talented to its members, followed by discussions with an inde- young staff with the opportunity to move on to leading pendent consultant. This resulted in a draft action plan academic and practical positions. In addition, the new about which further decisions will be taken in 2013. role of the Scientific Council, and the establishment of the Young Scientific Council, were included on the The Supervisory Board is highly appreciative of the agenda. way in which the staff and directors have worked on the development of knowledge for addressing the social In late 2012, Professor G.J. van der Zwaan and ir. A. issues affecting deltas. This has further enhanced the Steenbakker left the Advisory Council. With effect from 1 positioning of the organisation. January 2013, Professor R. van Kempen (Utrecht Univer- sity) joined the council.

46 ORGANISATION supervisory board/advisory board ORGANISATION scientific council

In 2012, the working methods of the Council were reviewed and it has been given a stronger position in the management structure. The thinking behind this is that Deltares wants to be internationally recognised as a leading institute in its knowledge disciplines. The right strategic decisions require an in-depth understanding of numerous scientific topics. The Council advises the board upon request and at its own initiative about the scientific strategy, and the chairperson attends board meetings. The recommendations of the Council are important and they will, as a Dr. Jaap Kwadijk. rule, be adopted by management.

Scientific Council The new-style Scientific Council was established on 1 June with Jaap Kwadijk as chair. He has been working Members: for Deltares since 1997. He was one of the first scien- • Dr. Jaap Kwadijk, chairman (water management and tists to focus on climate change and the consequences climate change) for large rivers and delta areas. His doctorate thesis in • Dr. Peter van den Berg, secretary (geotechnics) 1993 covered this topic, and he has been engaged in • Professor Frans Barends (until 1 June for retirement numerous studies and projects in the same area, both reasons) (soil mechanics) in the Netherlands and at the international level, with an • Professor Eelco van Beek (integral water management) impressive number of publications to his name. • Professor Marc Bierkens (hydrology/geohydrology) • Professor Remi Laane (marine biogeochemistry) As well as a range of advisory reports covering areas • Professor Huub Rijnaarts (environmental technology) that included the Delta Scenarios, the Scientific Council • Professor Dano Roelvink (hydrodynamics and took the initiative to establish the young Scientific morphology) Council, which comprises six young, ambitious scien- • Professor Frits van Tol (foundation engineering) tists. Their expertise will contribute to achieving the • Dr. Rob Uittenbogaard (hydrodynamics) mission of the Scientific Council.

Note: The chief task for the Science Council is to monitor all the knowledge disciplines in which Deltares operates. It ensures that the latest and the appropriate scientific developments are being identified and applied, and that The Deltares Young Scientific Council was established on 1 Decem- we are making the most of our staff’s scientific poten- ber 2012. From left to right: Ivo Pothof, (hydrodynamics/energy), tial. Members of the Scientific Council are leaders in their Bregje van Wesenbeeck (ecology/eco-engineering), Gilles Erkens (physical geography/geology), Mandy Korff (chair, geotechnics/ fields and they are active members of the scientific world underground building), Hessel Winsemius (catchment hydrology) at both the national and international levels. and Karin de Bruijn (flood risk analysis/hydrology)

Annual Review 2012 47 ORGANISATION board of directors

‘Enhancing knowledge is always the guiding principle’

Opportunities Maarten Smits: ‘Deltares has expanded its foreign activities considerably in recent years. Those efforts are bearing fruit. Growth will continue; there are a lot of opportunities. Throughout the world, people are moving into Delta areas, and that is a development that will only continue in the decades to come. At the same time, problems in these areas are becoming more pressing as a result of developments such as sea level rise, falling land levels, shortages of drinking water and so on. That means that demand worldwide is high for the knowledge that Deltares can provide. And more and more countries have the financial resources to tackle these complex delta challenges and develop sustainable water management.’

Staff ‘Involvement in international projects is good for the Deltares knowledge base. It gives us the opportunity to acquire knowledge and experience in situations that Maarten Smits: ‘As in the Netherlands, we want to be a strategic are not found closer to home. Take, for example, the partner abroad for government authorities.’ land reclamation work on the Palm Islands in Dubai, or the extreme weather conditions in urban areas. But our international activities are also good for our staff, and Maarten Smits took over as the new in particular for the young scientific talent at Deltares. managing director of Deltares on 1 A few years of work abroad are good for professional and personal development.’ December. Before then, he was the ‘However, that doesn’t mean that we do everything people ask from us. Both nationally and internationally: managing director of FugroGeo- a project has to contribute to the extension of our knowl- Services bv in the Netherlands. Tak- edge base. As in the Netherlands, we want to be a strategic partner abroad for government authorities. An ing up his appointment, he described independent, non-profit research institute that can Deltares as ‘a fantastic research insti- engage in area studies at the very highest level. In this way, we also create openings for Dutch business.’ tute with an excellent global position’. He is looking forward to drawing on Balance ‘In addition, our international ambitions must never his working experience abroad and his be pursued at the expense of our mission for the Dutch global network to further the inter government. There has to be a sound balance between national and international activities. The available national ambitions of Deltares. manpower means we have to respect our limits and be selective. At all times, we will have to take a critical look at the added value for our knowledge base. That determines the intensity of our activities in a particular country or region. Knowledge is central.’

48 ‘at the service of governement and business’

Complex process Harry Baayen: ‘Like many others, I saw the potential of an institute like Deltares for the Netherlands from the outset. There was a feeling in the air that something great could be established if we could manage to unite the knowledge of a number of organisations in a single research institute for Delta issues. But that didn’t mean that success was guaranteed. A merger is a highly complex process involving a lot of uncertainties and tensions, and there have been many failures in the past. We brought it off because our approach was based on content. We got the support of the people involved by repeatedly emphasising the qualities and opportunities of the new institute.’

Positioning ‘The positioning is also extremely appealing: Deltares serves both the Dutch government and Dutch business. The government has housed its knowledge base and knowledge development for delta issues with Deltares. Harry Baayen: ‘The work that Deltares does is not just about That means we have a responsibility to the public. The technology, numbers and software but, above all, about knowledge we acquire as we tackle issues affecting responding to issues affecting society.’ society as a whole is then made available for Dutch business. Deltares charges, as it were, the batteries of the On 1 December, Harry Baayen resigned engineering firms.’ as the Deltares managing director, ‘I am extremely proud of the role the staff have played. They have made Deltares into an institute that is highly a position he had occupied since the rated, both nationally and internationally. Their expertise, commitment, drive and their will to combine forces formal founding of our organisation and look for solutions have always been exceptionally in January 2008, after acting as the inspiring for me.’

‘quartermaster’ previously. In the lat- Society ter capacity, he was in charge of the Harry Baayen’s official farewell on 6 December addressed, as he requested, the theme of ‘Is our safety preparations for the formation of the assured?’ That is a question that fascinates him and he new research institute from June 2006 believes people can’t think about it enough. ‘Because safety is actually a vague concept with multiple dimen- onwards. Following the recommen- sions. It’s a term we often use. But what does keeping us dations of the Wijffels committee, he safe actually involve? I have had numerous fascinating debates about this subject with our staff here. Because united the expertise of four Dutch insti- the work that Deltares does is not just about technology, tutes in the areas of water, subsurface numbers and software but, above all, about responding to issues affecting society.’ and infrastructure under a single roof.

Annual Review 2012 49 ORGANISATION board of directors

‘Delta problems are an intellectual challenge’

Proud Huib de Vriend: ‘Establishing Deltares was a tough process, but we now have an institute of which the Netherlands can be proud. It anchors knowledge about safe and sustainable life in our delta and continually replenishes our reservoir of knowledge with new knowledge that has proved its value in practice. That is what makes working for Deltares so fantastic. The knowledge you develop is relevant. You make a visible contribution to tackling society’s problems.’ ‘Safeguarding and extending our knowledge base is not the only important thing: knowledge also has to be made accessible so that others can find it and develop it further. So Deltares doesn’t keep its knowledge reservoir to itself; it also opens it up to others. That is something no other institute does, and it puts Deltares in a unique position.’

Complex ‘Delta problems are complex; that makes them intellec- Huib de Vriend: ‘Deltares anchors knowledge about safe and tually challenging. The complexity means several disci- sustainable life in our delta and continually replenishes our plines are needed to resolve them. The arrival of Deltares reservoir of knowledge.’ made it easier to bring together different disciplines. That had a positive effect on knowledge development, Having reached retirement age, Huib particularly where disciplines meet. And the extensive de Vriend, the Science Director, left international activities also help to extend our knowledge. It is right that Deltares also has an international Deltares on 31 May. He worked for focus; the Netherlands is too small for an institute of this kind. more than twenty years at Deltares ‘the Netherlands should have a clear understanding and its predecessor WL | Delft Hydrau- of how valuable this reservoir of knowledge is. It costs years to establish it and for the people to reach the lics. As the Scientific Director, Huib de demanding standards needed to maintain it. Knowl- Vriend was responsible for the Deltares edge development is a question of long-term policy and it requires structural investment. An enormous amount knowledge strategy. He was actively can be lost if people are not fully aware of this.’ involved in the establishment of a Pioneering research multi-year research plan as the basis Huib de Vriend devoted his research career to for a clear long-term course for knowl- morphology. In this area, he did pioneering work that is used by numerous researchers, both in the Nether- edge development at Deltares. lands and at the international level. He also put Dutch morphological research on the international map by linking up with numerous research programmes in other countries. In recent years, he was mainly involved with the ‘Building with Nature’ concept.

50 ORGANISATION staff

number of employees

Employees as at 1 januari 2012 Employees as at 31 december 2012

833 821 New employees: 50 Number of FTEs Number of FTEs Outgoing staff: 59

766.85 757.75 (of whom 19 retired)

Male/female ratio age profile

55-64 jaar: 24.38%

71.82% Male 45-54 jaar: 23.42%

35-44 jaar: 28.42%

28.18% Female 25-34 jaar: 22.35%

<25 jaar: 1.43%

Nationality (in numberS of employees)

Deltares employs a workforce Germany 18 comprising 30 nationalities. Italy 8 France 7 ¹ Other nationalities: Verenigde Staten 6 Albania, Australia, Belgium, United States 6 Canada, Colombia, Ireland, India, China 4 Indonesia, Iraq, Iran, Malta, Spain 4 Morocco, Mexico, Nepal, Nicaragua, Portugal 3 New Zealand, Ukraine, Poland, Egypt 3 Russia, Czech Republic, Venezuela. Other ¹ 29

Total 88

Educational background of staff

Doctorate 22.5% Academic degree 46.0% Professional degree 6.7% Other 24.8%

Annual Review 2012 51 ORGANISATION staff

Doctorate students (in numbers of employees)

Delft University of Technology 28 Utrecht University 9 Wageningen University and 8 Research Centre (WUR) University of Twente 6 UNESCO-IHE 6 VU University Amsterdam 4 Other Dutch universities 10 Foreign universities 5

Total 76

Knowledge disciplines

Staff involved in the primary process, classified on the basis of their first discipline.

System Informatics 85 63 23 171 Numerical methods Risk analysis Measuring and monitoring

Environmental sciences 58 33 16 107 and engineering Chemistry and microbiology Ecology Eco-engineering

Applied geosciences and soil mechanics 40 16 56 Soil mechanics and soil construction Geology

Hydro- and morphodynamics 69 60 129 Hydrodynamica Sedimenttransport en morfologie

Hydrological sciences 44 43 87 Hydrologie Geohydrologie

Hydraulic and geo-engineering 23 17 40 Hydro-engineering Foundation technology and underground construction

Social sciences and policy analysis 72 72 Social sciences and policy analysis

52 ORGANISATION awards

Eureka Spanish prize for freshwater project Twice a year, Deltares organises the Eureka competition During a congress on managing salinisation in coastal for its staff. The aim is to take innovative ideas a step areas, Gualbert Oude Essink, a senior hydrologist further and to encourage entrepreneurship. The winners with Deltares, received the ‘Carlos Ruiz Celaá Award’ are awarded funding to develop their idea. for a freshwater project presented by Deltares at the congress.

Best IT application On 25 May, the Royal Dutch Water Network (KNW) selected the Dike strength Analysis Module (DAM) from Deltares as the best IT application in the water sector. KNW selected DAM because the module simpli- fies and improves the complex working methods of dike managers, generates major cost savings and is very accurate. Deltares developed DAM with STOWA. It has now been used on more than 2000 km of dike.

Polish award Harm Duel, who specialises in water quality and ecology, Hans Groot and Maaike Blauw won the ‘Eureka’ prize in the autumn with their idea of using BioSealing for tackling leaks in received an award on 14 September from the Warsaw sewers. University of Life Sciences for his services to the research looking at water management in river basins of the Deltares Young Talent Award Biebzra and the Narev that Deltares has been conducting Hessel Winsemius, a hydrologist, won the Deltares with the Polish university over the past ten years. Young Talent Award. The award is for Deltares employees aged under 35 who have demonstrated Honourable mention exceptional talent in one or more disciplines in their field. Three Deltares staff received an honourable mention for their article on pile-supported embankments in Recognition in Bangkok Geotextile and Geomembranes, the leading journal from Adri Verwey, our flood expert, received an award from the International Geosynthetics Society. In their paper, the Dutch-Thai Chamber of Commerce on 1 March in the authors - Suzanne van Eekelen, Adam Bezuijen and Bangkok as a gesture of appreciation for all the work he Frits van Tol - explained why the widely-used British did for Dutch companies during the Bangkok floods in standard for pile-supported embankments is inadequate the autumn of 2011. His information allowed companies and why the improved model produces much better to take timely action and limit the damage they suffered. results.

Delta Water Awards: third prize Dutch Data Award With their ‘KREEK teRUG’ project, the Deltares/Imares OpenEarth won the 2012 Dutch Data Award in the exact team came in third in the final of the Delta Water Award and technical sciences category. OpenEarth is an open 2011-2012. Participants in the Delta Water Award put source instrument that stores and shares data, models forward ideas to parties active in the Southwestern Delta and tools for marine and coastal projects. In OpenEarth, (Rijkswaterstaat, Zeeland Seaports, Evides, the provin- Deltares teamed up with the Delft University of Tech- cial authority of Zeeland and the Scheldestromen water nology, Van Oord, Arcadis Alkyon and UNESCO-IHE. authority). ‘KREEK teRUG’ is a project that uses a smart approach to retaining fresh water in creek ridges for agriculture.

Annual Review 2012 53 ORGANISATION doctorates/professorships

Peter Wellens received his doc- But seagrass fields, salt marshes Qinghua Ye received his doctor- torate on 13 January at Delft and mangrove forests are dimin- ate on 5 June at Delft Univer- University of Technology. ishing as a result of human activi- sity of Technology. ties, despite expensive efforts for Subject: Wave simulation in trun- their protection and recovery. This Subject: An approach towards cated domains for offshore appli- study developed a widely appli- generic coastal geomorphological cations cable model for linking aquatic modelling with applications Supervisor: Professor R.H.M. Huijs flora, currents and sediment trans- Supervisor: Professor J.A. Roelvink mans port, establishing a clearer picture of the interaction between the This study focused on the develop- This study focuses on the quanti- plants and their surroundings. ment of a generic morphological fication of extreme wave loads for model that can be adapted to work the design of offshore structures. Ellis Penning received her doc- with different grids, both struc- A numerical method designed torate on 2 April at Delft Uni- tured and unstructured. A number to simulate wave impacts is versity of Technology. of existing hydrodynamic models ComFLOW. Because of memory such as Sobek, Delft3D-Flow and restrictions, the ComFLOW area is Delft3D-Flexible Mesh can be linked limited and so additional attention to the model online. This innova- is required for boundary condi- tive bio-geomorphological model- tions in order to reduce undesirable based approach makes it possible wave reflection at the edges of the to study the dynamic interac- area. This study developed those tion between vegetation and boundary conditions. As a result, morphology. simulations can now be implemented that used to be impossible. Sara Picone received her doc- Subject: Ecohydraulics in large torate on 18 June at the Uni- Jasper Dijkstra received his shallow lakes: Implications for versity of Wageningen. doctorate on 6 March at Delft Management University of Technology. Supervisor: Professor A.E. Mynett Subject: Transport and biodeg- radation of volatile organic Ellis Penning looked at the inter- compounds: influence on vapor action between water move- intrusion into buildings ment, stability and vegetation in Supervisor: Professor H.H.M. Rij large shallow lakes. The research naarts included the field and physical model studies looking at the effect At contaminated sites, the pene- of vegetation on waves and water tration of gaseous components quality. It emerged that lakes that into buildings is often a major look similar at first sight react very concern. This study included field Subject: Macrophytes in estuarine differently. Water depth, fetch, trials and laboratory tests with the gradients - flow through flexible spatial variation and seasonal aim of using numerical models to vegetation factors need to be taken into link transport and natural degra- Supervisors: Professor M.J.F. Stive, account when developing specific dation through the unsaturated Professor W.S.J. Uijttewaal measures. The thesis provides a zone to an assessment of the guide for the rapid assessment of severity of vapour intrusion. Aquatic flora play an important these factors. role in wet ecosystems in both ecological and hydraulic terms.

54 Bas Borsje received his doctor- upgrades can be conducted more ate on 26 October at the Uni- efficiently. versity of Twente. Propositions Professorships Subject: Biogeomorphology of Adam Bezuijen was appointed Flexibility is more economic coastal seas professor of soil mechanics and than rigidity when dealing Supervisors: Professor P. Herman foundation engineering at the with the turbulent envi- and Professor S. Hulscher University of Ghent on 1 February. ronment, but rigidity is required to reach a higher This study looked at shallow sandy level . seas such as the North Sea. The Jasper Dijkstra beds of these seas are home to numerous small organisms such Cutting budgets without a as shellfish, tube worms or sea long-term perspective will urchins. By creating, adapting and ultimately cost more. maintaining their habitat, they Sara Picone exert an influence on their environment. As a result, they are known It is easy to have a pro as “ecosystem engineers”. It was Jasper Griffioen. nounced opinion about already known that the interaction On 11 June, Jasper Griffioen, issues that you do not know between the ecosystem engineers endowed professor of water quality much about. and the physical system deter- management at the Faculty of Wim Kanning mined the formation of the seabed. Geosciences of Utrecht Univer- This was the first study to actually sity, gave his inaugural address Many human activi- look at and confirm this phenom- entitled Freshwater: the Salt of the ties such as maintaining enon in a shallow sea. Earth. He discussed water quality navigation channels and management in the context of constructing pipelines and Wim Kanning received his doc- agriculture, development coop- telecommunication cables torate on 14 December at Delft eration, the Water Top Sector and depend on a good under- University of Technology. geochemical classification. In the standing of the dynamic Netherlands and the rest of the behaviour of the subtidal Subject: The weakest link - Spatial world, agriculture is associated with seabed. variability in the piping failure major leakage to the environment. Bas Borsje mechanism of dikes That has resulted in severe eutroph- Supervisors: Professor J.K. Vrijling, ication in many water systems, It is remarkable that live- Professor A.C.W.M. Vrouwenvelder and therefore to excessive algal stock farming can still just blooms. Professor Griffioen pointed dump its waste in the form This study found that the risk out that there are two major water of manure and so on in the of piping increases sharply with quality disasters: the contamina- environment. Companies the length of a dike as a result of tion of drinking water with patho- like Shell or AkzoNobel have spatial fluctuations in the struc- genic bacteria, so that diarrhoea not been allowed to do this ture of the subsurface. Current is one of the world’s leading killers, for a long time now. dike designs do not take this and arsenic contamination of Jasper Griffioen factor into account adequately. groundwater in Southeast Asian The study presented two models delta areas, such as Bangladesh, for improving the calcula- poisoning the local population. tions. A sound description of the subsurface means that local dike

Annual Review 2012 55 ORGANISATION new building

The new offices at the Rotterdamseweg location in Delft were The new Delta flume in Delft will replace the present facility in topped off in August. the North-East Polder and will be a lot more advanced.

Delft Utrecht

OFFICES Joint Environmental Laboratory The first pile was driven for the new building on Rotter- April saw work start on the construction of the Joint damseweg on 14 February. Once the building work has Environmental Laboratory (JEL) in Utrecht. The JEL been completed in the course of 2013, the Deltares will house Deltares laboratory research in the field of branches in Delft can be concentrated in a single loca- geochemistry and microbiology, together with the lab tion. The new buildings were designed by Jeanne Dekkers activities of TNO and the Geosciences Faculty of Utrecht Architectuur from Delft. University. Concentrating the laboratory facilities is intended to encourage joint knowledge development and Delta FLUME boost research opportunities. The new laboratory will be The building work on the new Delta flume at the Rotter- completed in the latter half of 2013. damseweg location in Delft started in September. The new Delta flume will replace the present facility in the North-East Polder and will be a lot more advanced. In terms of its size and test facilities, the new facility is unique in the world. The Delta flume is where Deltares conducts tests for national and international hydraulic engineering projects such as breakwaters and dike surfaces. The new facility will be 300 m long, 9.5 m deep and 5 m wide. This length is needed in order to simulate wave formation on gradually rising coasts. The new facility is a lot larger than the current one. The flume is being built by Ballast Nedam Infra. MTS System Corp (USA) is building the wave generator. The Delta flume will be completed in 2014.

The Joint Environmental Laboratory (JEL) in Utrecht under construction.