DHI A/S

Their core work

DHI is a Danish independent research and advisory organization specializing in water environments — from coastal and marine hydraulics to urban water management and aquaculture planning. They provide modelling software, environmental impact assessments, and decision-support tools for water-related challenges including climate adaptation, sediment dynamics, and resource management. Their work bridges physical infrastructure testing (hydraulic laboratories) with digital environmental modelling, serving governments, engineering firms, and offshore energy developers across Europe.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

DHI's early H2020 work (2015-2018) centred on traditional environmental hydraulics — large-scale laboratory infrastructure for climate adaptation research, aquaculture impact assessment, and coastal monitoring via satellite data. From 2019 onward, their focus shifted decisively toward digital and predictive approaches: urban water digitalization (DWC) and computational modelling of submarine dune dynamics (DUNAMICS). The move from physical testing infrastructure to digital prediction tools marks a clear modernization of their core competencies.

DHI is transitioning from physical laboratory-based hydraulic research toward digital modelling and prediction services, with growing interest in offshore renewable energy infrastructure.

How they like to work

DHI operates almost exclusively as a participant (10 of 11 entries), contributing specialized water and environmental expertise to larger consortia rather than leading them. Their single coordinator role — DUNAMICS in 2022 — suggests they are beginning to step into leadership on topics closest to their core identity. With 113 unique partners across 27 countries, they are a well-connected but non-dominant node: a trusted specialist that many consortia want on board for their water modelling capabilities.

DHI has collaborated with 113 unique partners across 27 countries, reflecting a broad pan-European network built through diverse thematic projects. Their partnerships span from large research infrastructure networks to focused applied-research consortia, with no visible geographic bias beyond their Danish base.

What sets them apart

DHI occupies a distinctive niche as an independent, non-university water science organization that combines decades of hydraulic engineering heritage with modern digital modelling capabilities. Unlike university groups, they deliver operational tools and commercial advisory services; unlike engineering consultancies, they participate deeply in fundamental research. For consortium builders, DHI brings credibility in water/marine topics with the reliability of a well-established organization that has worked with over 100 European partners.

Highlights from their portfolio

• DUNAMICS
  DHI's only coordinator role in H2020 — a Marie Skłodowska-Curie fellowship on submarine dune prediction, signalling their strategic investment in offshore energy-related research.
• HYDRALAB-PLUS
  Largest single funding (EUR 468,900 + EUR 427,388) — a major transnational access project for hydraulic laboratories adapting to climate change.
• DWC
  Represents DHI's pivot toward digital water management, applying their modelling expertise to smart urban water infrastructure.