Sustainable Supercomputing Power

Matthew Williamson, PE, Arup
Henry Martinez , Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

In this case study presentation, the presenters will discuss their renovation of an existing building to accommodate what will be one of the most powerful supercomputers in the US. The Department of Energy's computing arm, the National Energy Research Scientific Computing Center (NERSC), required a power upgrade at its Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Oakland Scientific Facility (OSF). Designed to support an earlier generation of super computer, the OSF's 9-megawatt power supply didn't provide sufficient power for the agency's next system, which will be among the most powerful in the US. The team was tasked with bringing the facility's electrical distribution system and computer cooling equipment up to modern standards.

To determine the most efficient means of cooling OSF's new super computer, the team analyzed the existing cooling system, as well as Oakland weather patterns. Findings revealed that using a water-side economizer offered the most benefits and energy savings. Relying on only two cooling towers to control temperature, the water-side economizer's power utilization effectiveness (PUE) is measured at 1.08, as opposed to the 1.35 PUE of the mechanical refrigeration previously in use. Arup's power upgrade strategy exceeded the client's stated goals for the project from both a sustainability and cost perspective. In addition to being a more sustainable and constructible cooling solution, the water-side economizer is expected to save the client as much $189,000 per year in cooling costs with a 4.7 year payback.

Biographies:

Matt Williamson has 17 years combined experience in mechanical engineering and in the planning, management, design and construction of projects for both private and public clients. Matt's experience base covers projects as diverse as contamination control facilities, clean-rooms for the biotech and microelectronics industry, production facilities, infrastructure projects and research laboratories. Matt was the Project Manager and Mechanical Engineer for 140,000ft2 supercomputing center for the Department of Energy. The Computational Research and Theory Building at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory includes 30,000ft2 of computer space, two floors of offices and a level for the electrical and mechanical systems. A key feature of the project is the innovative cooling system that will accommodate the final build of a 17 MW computer system.

Henry Martinez has over 20 years managing projects with six years working on supercomputing projects. Henry has managed research laboratories, BSL4 laboratories, seismic retrofits, infrastructure upgrades and solar projects. Henry is the Project Manger for the 140,000ft2 supercomputing facility for the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Henry was also the project manager for the installation of a new supercomputer at the Berkeley Lab in 2010.

 

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