Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) is building a new supercomputer called “Blue Lion” for the Leibniz Supercomputing Center (LRZ) in Bavaria. Set to begin operation in 2027, this advanced system will support both local and national research projects as part of the Gauss Center for Supercomputing. The project, costing 250 million euros (including operating expenses until 2032), is funded by Germany’s Federal Ministry of Education and Research and Bavaria’s State Ministry of Science and the Arts.
Advanced Architecture and Capabilities:
Blue Lion is designed to combine traditional simulations with artificial intelligence (AI) for efficient research. It will utilise HPE Cray technology and the latest NVIDIA accelerators and processors. The system enables fast data transfers at 400 gigabits per second using the HPE Slingshot interconnect. The new software tools like HPE Performance Cluster Management will help efficiently manage and monitor the supercomputer’s extensive operations and Blue Lion will be about 30 times more powerful than the current LRZ supercomputer, SuperMUC-NG.
New Programming and Training:
The combination of GPU accelerators and CPU cores requires new programming techniques and the HPE Cray Programming Environment will assist in adapting scientific code to this system. Starting in 2025, workshops and courses will be available to help researchers optimise their applications for Blue Lion, and therefore LRZ is expanding its support team by 50% to aid users effectively.
Efficient Cooling and Environmental Benefits:
Blue Lion will use a 100% direct liquid cooling system, running 40°C warm water through copper pipes to cool the servers. The system reuses waste heat, already heating LRZ offices, and may provide heating to nearby buildings in the future. This cooling method reduces both operating costs and carbon emissions, and allows for denser server cabinets, saving space in the facility.
Heiko Meyer, Executive Vice President and Chief Sales Officer, Hewlett Packard Enterprise commented: “Supercomputing plays a pivotal role for progress in science and society, as well as for national competitiveness. LRZ’s Blue Lion is another big step to reinforce Germany’s position as a leading region for supercomputing and AI innovation. Blue Lion will significantly advance LRZ’s computing capacity and also position them in a cutting-edge position with next-generation technologies that will set new standards for the future of supercomputing.”
John Josephakis, Global VP of Sales and Business Development for HPC and Supercomputing at NVIDIA: “The advancement of supercomputing, with a focus on energy efficiency and sustainability, is essential for pushing the boundaries of scientific discovery and innovation. Blue Lion, powered by NVIDIA’s next-gen accelerators and processors, will help researchers tackle complex challenges across multiple disciplines, from astrophysics to life sciences.”