Observatori de l'Ebre

What Observatori de l'Ebre does

Observatori de l'Ebre is a public research institution founded in 1904 by Jesuit Father Cirera in Roquetes, Tarragona, Catalonia, and operated under the patronage of the Generalitat de Catalunya with scientific affiliation to Ramon Llull University (URL) and the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC). The institution conducts continuous geophysical monitoring across six domains: geomagnetism, ionospheric sounding, solar activity, meteorology, seismology, and hydrology/climate. Its technical infrastructure includes magnetometers, a Digisonde ionospheric sounder, a Zeiss APQ 150/1200 solar telescope with a 2048x2048 pixel digital camera, automated AEMET meteorological stations, and a 24-bit Quanterra digital seismometer, plus an Advanced Ionospheric Sounder (AIS) developed by INGV deployed at the Spanish Antarctic Base Juan Carlos I in Livingston Island.

The observatory's core deliverables are real-time space weather products — a tri-hourly K-index updated every 12 minutes, geomagnetically induced current (GIC) predictions for the Spanish 400 kV grid built on the ERMIL lithospheric resistivity model, ionospheric weather parameters (foF2, hmF2, etc.), and Traveling Ionospheric Disturbance (TID) maps over Europe — alongside historical data series spanning 120+ years and more than 100,000 digitized seismograms. Its research output is published as four ongoing bulletins (solar, ionospheric, geomagnetic from Ebro and Livingston, and meteorological) plus the journal Ibérica. It also operates the OSTA drought monitoring service for Terra Alta vineyards under the EU LIFE CLINOMICS project.

Revenue is not commercially generated: all observational data is distributed free of charge to the scientific community via a trilingual web portal, international databases, and INTERMAGNET. Funding flows from the Generalitat de Catalunya patronat and institutional affiliations; only ad hoc applied services (e.g., GIC modelling for Red Eléctrica de España, OSTA bulletins for wine producers, library services) constitute quasi-revenue activities. The institution employs 14 people across its headquarters and two field stations.

Name

Observatori de l'Ebre

Legal name

Observatori de l'Ebre

Website

https://obsebre.es

Company type

Private

Founded year

1904

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Observatori de l'Ebre is a public research institution in Roquetes, Catalonia, founded in 1904, that operates continuous geophysical monitoring stations in Spain and Antarctica, delivering real-time space weather data, century-long geomagnetic and ionospheric datasets, and applied products to the scientific community, the energy sector, and regional agriculture.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Geophysical Observatory / Space Weather Monitoring

NAICS

Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services (541360), Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services (54136)

SIC

Instruments For Meas & Testing Of Electricity & Elec Signals (3825), Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Remote Sensing & Earth Observation Analytics (Satellite/UAV/LiDAR, Image Processing) (EUAHAKAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Power Quality, Line Monitoring & Grid Edge Sensors (PMUs/µPMUs) (EUADAPAO)

Keywords

• Geomagnetic monitoring
• Space weather services
• Ionospheric sounding
• Geophysical observatory
• Solar activity monitoring

Headquarters

HQ city

Roquetes

HQ country

Spain

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Observatori de l'Ebre operates geophysical monitoring infrastructure and produces real-time space weather and Earth observation data products, including K-index geomagnetic activity, geomagnetically induced current (GIC) predictions for the Spanish 400 kV power grid, ionospheric sounding via Digisonde, solar photos and Wolf numbers, meteorological and seismic observations. The observatory operates two geomagnetic stations (Horta de Sant Joan in Spain and Livingston Island in Antarctica) integrated into global networks such as INTERMAGNET. All observation data is made freely available to the scientific community, with over 120 years of continuous validated geophysical series dating back to 1904.

Product overview

Observatori de l'Ebre operates as a scientific research institution offering a comprehensive portfolio of geophysical and atmospheric monitoring products and services. The core offering consists of real-time space weather products (K-index, GICs, ionospheric weather, TID activity), geomagnetic field observations from two stations (Horta de Sant Joan and Livingston Island in Antarctica), and ionospheric monitoring via Digisonde and ionogram analysis. Supporting products include solar activity data with Wolf numbers and daily photos, meteorological observations and climatic records from 1880, seismic records spanning over 100 years, and specialized agrometeorological data for drought monitoring in viticulture through the OSTA project. The institution also maintains an extensive library with approximately 50,000 volumes specializing in Earth and Space Sciences. Data is provided through automated real-time systems (updated every 12 minutes) and as historical datasets.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• OSTA (Observatori de la Sequera a la Terra Alta): Drought Observatory for Terra Alta region monitoring vineyard water status, publishing weekly bulletins on precipitation and soil moisture for rainfed and irrigated vineyards.

Products and services

• Space Weather Products Real-time space weather monitoring products including K-index of geomagnetic activity, geomagnetically induced current (GIC) predictions for the Spanish 400 kV power grid, ionospheric weather parameters (hmf2, delta hmf2, critical frequencies), and TID (Traveling Ionospheric Disturbance) activity maps over Europe. Targets researchers, power grid operators, and space weather analysts.
• Magnetic Declination Monitoring Real-time compass declination monitoring at Roquetes using magnetic declination values updated every 12 minutes. Tracks the agonic line crossing the Ebro region, historically relevant for navigation and archaeomagnetic applications.
• Solar Activity Data Monthly Wolf numbers (sunspot numbers) calculated from solar observations using the formula W=10G+t, with records since at least 1943. Includes daily solar photos taken with a Zeiss APQ 150/1200 telescope at 0.7 arcsecond resolution. Targets solar physicists and solar-terrestrial researchers.
• Geomagnetism Observations Geomagnetic field monitoring at Horta de Sant Joan (Spain) and Livingston Island (Antarctica). Includes magnetograms, data catalogs, bulletins, and variations (current, secular, rapid). Targets researchers in geomagnetism and space weather, and integrated into the INTERMAGNET global network.
• Ionosphere Observations Day-to-day ionospheric variability monitoring via Digisonde, with data catalogs, ionograms from Ebre and Livingston Island, and bulletins. Includes F-layer parameters (foF2, M(3000)F2, h'F2, hmF2), E-layer parameters (foE, h'E), and sporadic E data (foEs, fbEs, h'Es). Ionogram records date back to 1955. Targets ionospheric researchers and HF communications users.
• Meteorological Data Real-time weather observations including temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure, precipitation, wind speed and direction. Daily evolution charts and daily data summaries are provided. Data is sourced from the AEMET automatic weather station located at the observatory and is provisional subject to revision.
• Climatic Data Historical climatic data including maximum, minimum, and mean temperatures (from 1880), precipitation, and insolation records for the Ebro Observatory region. Targets climate researchers and hydrologists.
• Seismic Records Seismograph records and digitized seismograms from the oldest seismic station in Catalonia. Over 100,000 seismograms have been digitized in collaboration with ICGC, including records from over 20 seismographs spanning 1904 to present. Targets seismologists and earth science researchers.
• Drought Observatory in Terra Alta (OSTA) Pilot project for monitoring water status of vineyards in Terra Alta. Weekly bulletins on precipitation and soil moisture for rainfed vineyards, plus irrigation recommendations for irrigated vineyards. Part of the LIFE CLINOMICS project. Targets wine producers and farmers in the Terra Alta region.
• SAFRAN Meteorological Analysis Data Public datasets from the observatory's physical hydrology and climate change research line, including SAFRAN (Système d'Analyse Fournissant de l'Ambiance Rythmée à la Nourrice) meteorological analysis for hydrology and climate research. Targets hydrology and climate researchers.
• Library Services Specialized library with approximately 50,000 volumes focused on Earth and Space Sciences, including geophysics, solar-terrestrial relationships, and the José Joaquín Landerer Climent legacy and Narcís Monturiol technical library collections. Services include interlibrary loan, document acquisition, selective information dissemination, and over 2,100 titles of 19th and 20th century periodicals.

Quantifiable outcome

• Geomagnetically induced current (GIC) predictions for the Spanish 400 kV power grid near the observatory, produced in real-time every 12 minutes
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

AI capability4 records

Feature11 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Institut Cartogràfic i Geològic de Catalunya (ICGC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2016Collaboration agreement signed in June 2016 for digitization and scanning of the observatory's seismogram archive (over 100,000 seismograms). Agreement renewed in 2017 and 2018. ICGC hosts the digitized seismograms and provides access through its platform. The collaboration also enabled modernization of the Ebro seismic station.
• Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia (INGV)coreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2004INGV developed the Advanced Ionospheric Sounder (AIS) installed at the Spanish Antarctic Base Juan Carlos I during the 2004-2005 Antarctic campaign. The AIS performs ionospheric soundings every 10 minutes, with data collected during austral summers when sufficient electrical energy is available.
• Red Eléctrica de EspañacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on the IBERGIC project for holistic characterization of GICs (Geomagnetically Induced Currents) in the Iberian Peninsula, from magnetospheric and ionospheric current analysis to lithospheric influence. The observatory developed the power network model for the Spanish 400 kV grid to predict GICs in transformers during geomagnetic storms. Published results in AGU publications (2021).
• Institut de Recerca Geomodels de la UBcoreTechnology or IntegrationDevelopment of the ERMIL (Electrical Resistivity Model of the Iberian Lithosphere) model used by the observatory to calculate the North (Ex) and East (Ey) components of the electric field at the observatory's location, which are directly related to GICs in technological systems.
• Escola Agrària de GandesaminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCollaborating institution supporting the LIFE CLINOMICS project and the Drought Observatory of Terra Alta (OSTA), a pilot initiative for monitoring vineyard water status in the Terra Alta region.
• Consorci de Polítiques Ambientals de les Terres de l'Ebre (COPATE)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCOPATE commissioned the Drought Observatory of Terra Alta (OSTA) pilot project, a component of the LIFE CLINOMICS initiative, to monitor vineyard water status in Terra Alta.
• LIFE CLINOMICS consortiumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean Union LIFE programme project. The OSTA (Drought Observatory of Terra Alta) is described as a pilot initiative of the LIFE CLINOMICS project, carried out by the Ebro Observatory with support from Escola Agrària de Gandesa and COPATE.
• Ramon Llull University (URL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe observatory's scientific activity is framed within the research programme of Ramon Llull University. The URL logo appears on research pages, indicating institutional affiliation. The library catalogue is hosted at URL's catalogue system (cataleg.url.edu).
• Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe observatory's scientific activity is framed within the CSIC research programme. The observatory's library catalogue is accessible through the CSIC library network. The CSIC logo appears on research pages, indicating institutional affiliation.
• INTERMAGNET (International Real-time Magnetic Observatory Network)coreTechnology or IntegrationThe observatory participates in INTERMAGNET, a global network of fully digital geomagnetic observatories. INTERMAGNET defines three progressive levels of data provisionality: Variaciones (provisional), Cuasidefinitivas (quasi-definitive), and Definitivas (definitive), each with progressively refined baseline corrections.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Spire Global: Commercial satellite operator that provides GNSS-based ionospheric data and space weather products. Represents the emerging commercial competitor in space weather monitoring that the Ebro Observatory's century-long ground-based record will increasingly need to complement or compete against.
• National Observatory of Athens (NOA): Greek national observatory with active space weather and seismic monitoring programs. A Southern European peer with comparable Mediterranean regional focus and overlapping scientific collaborations through European research networks.

Regional players

• Observatori Fabra: Barcelona-based scientific observatory conducting astronomical, seismic, and meteorological observations. Shares regional Catalan geo-institutional context with the Ebro Observatory and operates complementary geophysical monitoring programs.

Broad incumbents

• GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences: Germany's national geosciences research center operating multiple geomagnetic and ionospheric stations within INTERMAGNET. A larger institutional peer with substantially broader scope but overlapping space weather and geomonitoring capabilities.
• British Geological Survey (BGS): UK national geoscience agency operating the Eskdalemuir and other geomagnetic observatories. Comparable historical depth in geomagnetic monitoring and a fellow INTERMAGNET participant, though at significantly larger institutional scale.
• Observatoire de Paris - SYRTE: French national astronomy and metrology observatory operating geomagnetic and time-reference infrastructure. Shares France's magnetometer heritage and overlaps with the Ebro Observatory's geomagnetic and ionospheric measurement work.
• NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center: U.S. national space weather forecasting center that consumes and disseminates geomagnetic and ionospheric data products. Comparable in product surface area (K-index, GIC forecasts, bulletins) but operates at vastly greater scale and resources.

Direct peers

• Real Instituto y Observatorio de la Armada: Spain's other historically significant geophysical observatory, also running geomagnetic, ionospheric, and seismic monitoring programs. Operates as a Spanish military-affiliated institution with overlapping scientific scope, making it the most direct domestic peer.
• Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia (INGV): Italy's national geophysics and volcanology institute, already a partner through the Advanced Ionospheric Sounder deployed in Antarctica. Conducts geomagnetic, ionospheric, and seismic monitoring at national scale, representing a closely aligned technical peer.

Others

• Institut Cartogràfic i Geològic de Catalunya (ICGC): Cartographic and geological institute of Catalonia that is already a partner for seismic record digitization. Operates Catalonia's geophysical networks and represents an institutional counterpart/partner rather than a competitor in geomagnetic monitoring.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/observatori-de-l'ebre

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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