Annual Report 2020

Projects

Italian Public Administration Vulnerability Assessment  

Setting new standards in cybersecurity

Using its knowledge and capabilities in cybersecurity vulnerability assessment, RINA helped an Italian public administration organization to identify its vulnerabilities across its network and Internet published services. The analysis identified several known vulnerabilities that could have been exploited by attackers to gain unauthorized privileges. Thanks to this activity, the organization can now prioritize its mitigation and remediation activities to reduce its cyber-risk exposed surface.

Cybersecurity Evaluation Processes  

Keeping classified information safe

In line with the National Scheme for information security evaluation for IT products, RINA provided customers with support for the risk analysis phase and mandatory documents development for two systems pertaining to the management of classified information used in the European GNNS program and the operation of a Defence System. Both activities, which are currently ongoing, are based on the Common Criteria scheme, starting from the evaluation assurance level defined by the risk analysis.

Maritime Cybersecurity  

Digital security at sea

During 2020, several shipping companies asked RINA to verify their cybersecurity position and identify how they can establish or improve their cyber-risk management processes in line with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) recommendations to address such risks within the Safety Management System (SMS). Desktop analysis of documentation, on-board surveys and inventories were performed to provide “as-is” pictures to enable the companies to identify aspects not addressed by their International Safety Management (ISM) manuals.

Galileo-EGNOS as an Asset for UTM Safety and Security (GAUSS)    

Enhancing drone safety and security

The GAUSS project aims at developing a high-performance positioning system for drones within the U-Space framework focusing on VLL (Very Low Level) and UAS (Unmanned Aircraft System) operations. Its objectives include fast and thorough achievement of acceptable levels of performance, safety and security for current drone and future U-Space operations. A key element is the integration and exploitation of exceptional features of the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS) for precise and secure positioning to enable U-Space operations, supporting the management and coordination of all drones in the VLL airspace.

The main objectives of the project include obtaining a multi-constellation/multi-frequency solution with enhanced safety and security levels, reliable PVT for signal integrity, precise positioning and orientation of individual drones, enhanced navigation performance and manoeuvrability, and EGNOS integrity features and service levels.

GALILEO FOC Satellites  

RINA showing expertise in ‘out of this world’ cybersecurity

Galileo, Europe’s Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), provides improved positioning and timing information with significant positive implications for many European services and users. Since 2013, RINA has been involved in security engineering activities, especially focusing on the Classified service of the system reserved for government-authorised users for sensitive applications requiring high levels of integrity and availability while preserving the confidentiality of information.

In 2020, RINA was awarded two new activities related to cybersecurity:

  • Vulnerability assessment and penetration tests on a portion of the ground segment facilities. Being available and delivering on time quality and reliable results has paved the way to enter the cybersecurity (VA/PT) activities in GALILEO and, hopefully, on other space related projects.
  • Development and integration of a suite of software tools to perform Cyber Independent Audits on the system, allowing for repeatable and objective results.
Submarine Delivery Agency - CASD Legislative Compliance  

Helping ensure supply chain operations

Following 2016 main gate approval, the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) was obligated as a supplier of Government Furnished Assets (GFA) to comply with UK supply law and became accountable for obligations consistent with those of a regular Original Equipment Manufacturer. Unprotected by Defence Equipment & Support policy, the project team required visibility of risks, assured delivery of required equipment from the supply chain and de-risking of the delivery programme.  RINA’s team of legislation compliance SMEs assessed which statutory regulations applied to the GFA scope, based on technical understanding of the equipment and the law. It advised the project team on how to present required declarations and supporting evidence within sensitive disclosure agreements for the strategic weapon system. The CASD Legislative Compliance contract is on-going and remains one of RINA highest value contracts for Space & Defence. The contract was extended in 2020 and will be extended again in 2021, before a competitive tender in early 2022.

Dismounted Joint Fires Integrator - Elbit Systems (UK)    

Supporting competitive tenders

In December 2020, the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) awarded Elbit Systems UK a £102 million five-year contract for a new Dismounted Joint Fires Integrator (DJFI) system. The system will equip Joint Terminal Attack Controllers (JTACs) and others from the British Army, Royal Air Force, Royal Marines, and UK Special Forces responsible for directing joint fires. It is a dismounted network combat system powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI) and will interface with the UK forces’ radio communication systems.

RINA Space & Defence SMEs supported Elbit during the 12-month long competitive tender process in 2020. They will also assist contract delivery with a range of engineering services in support of Elbit’s design, verification, validation and capability deployment activities, including ILS, safety, and training.  RINA hopes to further receive a 5 year contract from Elbit.

Bowman ComBAT Infrastructure Platform (BCIP) Steady State Courseware Team (SSCT)  

At the heart of military communications training

In a contract running from November 2018 to November 2021, RINA continued its support of the British Army’s Director of Information with its SSCT. The project aims to ensure military personnel are effectively trained to prepare, operate, maintain, administer and manage the BCIP system across relevant job roles through the delivery of high-quality courseware for the current and future versions of the system.  The service is critical to the delivery of communications training across the MoD, with BCIP training materials used by Defence Colleges and Communications and Information Systems (CIS) Schools, the Army Recruiting & Initial Training Command (ARITC), and for distributed training. The delivery of courseware includes equipment emulations, cross platform eLearning packages, Computer Based Training (CBT)/Computer Aided Instruction (CAI) and instructional aids.  RINA provides a cost-effective, reliable, and continuous service, delivering high-quality materials. The project team includes radio communication experts, course designers and multi-media specialists.

Defence Fire and Rescue Project (DFRP)  

RINA to supply critical training expertise

Capita plc is responsible for training all UK MoD Defence firefighters as part of a major contract with the UK MOD to deliver Defence Fire and Rescue (DFR) capability. Support Capita and Defence through the DFR Project (DFRP), RINA reviewed all existing firefighter training for compliance and bought non-compliant training in line with Defence Systems Approach to Training (DSAT) standards. The DFRP is a critical operations support service that enables the UK’s military to operate appropriately and safeguard the nation. RINA supported Capita with expert training analysts and course designers, multi-media specialists and project managers. Capita is the largest business process outsourcing company in the UK (c.£4 Bn revenue in 2019); however, they do not possess RINA’s training expertise to deliver this critical element of the project.

Predictive Maintenance of HV Cables  

Using AI to predict maintenance of underground cables 

Terna S.p.A, the Italian transmission system operator, has committed to spend €7.3 billion to modernise and strengthen the country’s power network over the next five years by supporting Italy in becoming an “energy hub” for the European and Mediterranean area. RINA is supporting Terna in this journey through the implementation of an innovative and pioneering project to develop predictive maintenance algorithms for high voltage (HV) cables, using advanced analytics and machine learning techniques.

RINA established an expert team to design, develop and deliver state-of-the-art algorithms by harvesting and analysing terabytes of acquired data from thousands of installed sensors within Terna’s network. The project involves development of a predictive maintenance solution, the main objective of which is to enhance and optimize the operation and maintenance processes of the underground HV cable network.

Innovations in Electrical Steel   

Two projects based on RINA expertise in steel manufacture

RINA’s historical cooperation with thyssenkrupp Electrical Steel (TKES) in the field of silicon steel was interrupted in 2007 after the dismantling of TKES’ in plant in Terni. In March 2020, TKES awarded RINA an important cooperation project on Grain Oriented Electrical Steel. The results of this project obtained during 2020 have strengthened the partnership and created opportunity for new projects.

In 2020, Big River Steel, USA, launched a tender for a continuous annealing line (ACL) for non-grain oriented electric steels to produce special grades for automotive electric motor applications. Different to standard, BRS has expressly requested that the winner of the tender for the ACL will guarantee the performance of the entire production cycle to produce top electrical steel grades. BRS requires that winner of the tender be supported by RINA and activities should start in 2021.

Partnership with Baosteel  

Following its acquisition of TISCO in 2020, Baosteel is now the largest steel producer in the world. 

Baosteel is working to consolidate its position in steel volume and quality, and further internationalize its business. In December 2019, it opened a new R&D Centre in Munich and, during the ceremony, signed a framework agreement with RINA for collaboration on R&D projects and service assistance.

During 2020 several projects have been discussed in detail and Baosteel has selected and approved a shortlist. The activities cover the entire range of competences RINA can offer, from product qualification to production support, from process development to product development.

Industrial Symbiosis - Coralis R&D Project  

Helping create a sustainable world through circular economies

Industrial symbiosis (IS) is a system approach that connects industrial stakeholders to leverage underutilised resources in a more integrated and sustainable way. There is a need for further knowledge on IS in Europe, particularly in the implementation and operational stages that require the support of harmonised frameworks and data reporting structures. The EUH2020 funded CORALIS project is a demonstration project designed for the execution of real IS initiatives and the prevention of obstacles faced by these initiatives. The project will address the technical, managerial and economic factors and set the basis for definition of IS readiness.

The CORALIS project will deliver a harmonised framework to monitor results and evaluate their impact from a life cycle perspective, implemented into a virtual assessment platform. RINA coordinated the high volume of Italian industrial participation. The project has embedded the idea of “Hub for Circularity”, which will be the European base for the integration of Circular Economy approaches.

European Consortium for Development of Fusion Energy

Supporting sustainable fusion power for the future

RINA is a key supporter of the European Consortium for Development of Fusion Energy (EUROfusion), which backs and funds fusion research activities within the European Commission’s Euratom framework program. EUROfusion's mission is to pave the way for fusion power reactors.

RINA supports the development and qualification of innovative materials, fabrication of components, corrosion prevention and remelting technologies for circular economy. Key activities include simulation of water-cooling system conditions to assess life of components, development of advanced steel alloys, protective coatings, safe recycling of end-of-life materials produced both during operation and after decommissioning operations, and production of lead lithium alloys.

Blueprint “New Skills Agenda Steel”  

Helping the steel industry of the future

This project will develop a Blueprint for a sustainable, coordinated European steel skills agenda, and strategy for short-term and ongoing anticipation and implementation of new skills demands. The project will be piloted by the development of modules and tools and allow pro-active practical activities to meet the future requirements of the industry. It involves 24 European steel partners including RINA, which brings experience based on its applied research and training activities with Steelmaster and Eurosteelmaster, and high-level training courses at national and EU level.

Objectives include proactive identification of skills demands, accounting for skills gaps and shortages and forecasts of supply and demand; identifying ways for effective implementation of new vocational education content, and new ‘train the trainer’ and leadership programs. The partnership will further work to secure necessary political support, improve the attractiveness of the steel industry for talented people and increased diversity.

New Products Development: SAT-COM for the IOT and high-tech electric switch  

Communications of the future – which could support I4.0

RINA’s strategic consultancy with ESA and space integrators AIRBUS and Thales Alenia Space Italia (TASI), resulted in it being awarded two large contracts in 2020 within the ESA 5G and satellite communications framework: 3GPP and Narrow Band-IOT. Project objectives are to integrate safety layers and 5G standard protocols into the space satellite structure, and to demonstrate feasibility of satellite 5G communication for the Internet of Things (IoT). In particular, the projects are deployed to extend 5G technology to Non-Terrestrial Network to cover several use-case scenarios, giving the potential of ubiquitous data availability with no latency.

RINA has delivered one turnkey project for a key customer. The customer further employed RINA for additional services including design, quality assurance, prototyping, functional testing, and several layers of industrialization to finalize small series production. The project is continuing towards additional new products, evolving from the original design and enhancing robustness, cost-efficiency and reducing switch time to further match operative requirements.

EU RoHS technical support to COCIR  

Helping ensure the supply of life-saving medical equipment

In 2020, RINA provided technical support for EU Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) Directive exemption renewals to COCIR, the European Trade Association representing the medical imaging, radiotherapy, health ICT and electromedical industries, for their member companies.

Medical devices, such as Computed Tomography (CT), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and ultrasound are technically complex but cannot be sold in the EU without RoHS Directive exemptions, some of which allow use of materials that have a smaller negative health and environmental impact than possible substitutes.

RoHS Directive exemptions expire and must be renewed before key deadlines pass.  RINA has global expertise in preparing RoHS exemption renewal requests, in-depth knowledge of the EU RoHS Directive and a strong understanding of medical device technology and substitution issues.

There will be many business-critical exemptions requiring renewal in the future so that manufacturers in this vital sector can continue to sell their products in the EU.

New design recommendations to prevent Offshore Windfarm export cable failures  

Cutting the cost of windfarm operations

In 2017, the UK’s Offshore Wind Programme Board published a review of high voltage export cable reliability, showing that of the seven post-commissioning failures the UK offshore wind industry had experienced, issues in the fibre optic cable were responsible for six.  Each failure was estimated to have cost just under £23 million in repairs and loss of wind farm energy production.

Ørsted and Nexans each produced modelling to investigate the mechanism of failure, identifying the fibre optic core as the cause. RINA’s cable engineering experts were commissioned by the Offshore Wind Accelerator (OWA) to undertake a Fibre Optic Cable Protection Assessment project to validate this modelling and suggest design recommendations to mitigate risk.

RINA put forward five recommendations which, although will increase the cost of the export cable between 0-0.5%, will not affect installation cost and overall savings will be significant compared with the cost of cable failure.