The Climate Science Data Enhanced Virtual Laboratory (Climate DEVL) project brings together international reference datasets and observations in a virtual environment linked to Australia’s fastest supercomputer.

Designed to enhance the ability of the Australian research community (including domains outside of the Climate and Weather community) to achieve their future research objectives. The preparation for CMIP6 (World Climate Research Program Coupled Model Intercomparison Project) has established the systems and procedures for a centrally managed service for data replication and publication to ensure the data is managed according to the international policies for consistency and reliability. The updated user support framework provides the tools and advice to help users make the most of the data and research platforms.

Start date 2 July 2008
Expected completion date 30 June 2019
Investment by ARDC $625,000
Co-investment partners
Bureau of Meteorology (BoM)
ARC Centre of Excellence for Climate Extremes (CLEX)
CSIRO
National Environmental Science Programme (NESP)
Earth Systems and Climate Change Hub (ESCC)
Lead node
1 Improved search
Release of Model Attribute Search (MAS) integration with ARCCSSive API. ARCCSSive is a Python library developed by the CMS team at the ARC Centre of Excellence for Climate Systems Science for working with data at NCI.
2 CMIP data replication phase 1
CMIP5 Variable replication requirements documented, and agreement between collaborators on replication process and responsibilities.
3 NCI EGSF node updated
Extended (overseas) EGSF data index available for use.
4 Production release of new Earth System Grid Federation (ESGF) and CMIP data replication systems
Including establishment of the local procedures for a) publishing Australian datasets, b) replicating international data for local analysis on NCI, and c) republishing the data for users accessing the data via data services.
5 Availability of ESMValTool and PCMDI Metrics Package
Local installations and evaluation of the publicly available versions of the internationally maintained tools promoted by the ESGF (ESMValTool and the PCMDI Metrics Package).
6 Updated Australian community material referencing CMIP content
The new CMIP Community Home website is open to all NCI users and incorporates new features and tools such as the data search table where users may view and search through the available CMIP data at NCI, as well as discover what data is planned to be downloaded.

Core features

Data repository
An official and centrally managed data repository ensuring consistent data management practices and international standards are rigorously maintained.
Local replication
Data is replicated locally in line with community priorities and as it becomes available internationally.
Advanced search
Advanced search capabilities provide a simple mechanism to request additional data through NCI, mitigating the burden on the community data managers and scientists.

Who is this project for?

Climate scientists

What does this project enable?

Australian climate researchers are able to undertake research at the forefront of climate science. The DeVL has prepared the data services and tools to permit a diverse range of innovative research to be undertaken with CMIP5/6.

The project enables:

  • Coordination and management of data to improve access and use by a broad research and user community.
  • Climate researchers can access and use the international best-practice tools and workflows referenced in the CMIP6 Model Evaluation System, and other identified best-practice tools and workflows that allow ready analysis of the data.
  • Improved capability for the research community to undertake more innovative research methods.
  • Improved collaboration for local and international climate research through use of community tools, common workflows and data platforms.
  • Climate and weather data is more easily accessible for use across a number of different areas of research both directly at NCI as well as remotely.
  • Data management, services and access by other digital environments that facilitate communication and reliable translation of research outputs with industry, other research communities and for policy development.

Handy resources

Bureau of Meteorology (BoM)Visit
ARC Centre of Excellence for Climate Extremes (CLEX)Visit
CSIROVisit
National Environmental Science Programme (NESP)Visit
Earth Systems and Climate Change Hub (ESCC)Visit