The supercomputer applications considered crucial for Europe

11 Jan 2018 Brussels - Why is it important to pool resources at European level? HPC capabilities are used to solve and address scientific, industrial and societal challenges in health, climate change and weather forecast, industry, cybersecurity, and energy.

Here are some examples to show the relevance of a European High Performance Computing infrastructure:

Weather forecasting

In the current volatile climate conditions that characterize our planet, weather forecasts are very necessary to provide early warnings on weather extremes. Understanding and forewarning of extreme weather conditions such as impending storms, avalanches or tsunamis are of utmost importance for societies that are vulnerable to it to be more prepared and resilient.

Increased agriculture production

Agriculture is the principal means of livelihood in many regions of the developing world, and the future of our world depends on a sustainable agriculture at planetary level. High Performance Computing is becoming critical in agricultural activity, plague control, pesticides design and pesticides effects. Climate data are used to understand the impacts on water and agriculture in many regions of the world, help local authorities in the management of water and agricultural resources, and assist vulnerable communities in the region through improved drought management and response.

Safer cars

Renault used the CURIE supercomputer for performing the biggest multi-physics car optimization study ever made, with hundreds of crash simulations. This study provided Renault with unprecedented results in mass reduction, CO2 limitation, safety improvement, and will be key in fulfilling future EuroNCAP6 safety rules.

Neutrino mass and dark matter

Scientists are using High Performance Computing (HPC) for observing space more accurately, simulating violent events following the big bang that may have produced gravitational waves, for detecting supernovae and binary star systems, or for understanding dark matter and energy.