The Leibniz Supercomputing Center (LRZ), part of the Bavarian Academy of Sciences and Humanities, has tasked Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) with building its next supercomputer, named “Blue Lion”. This new high-performance infrastructure is set to begin operations in 2027 and will be dedicated to supporting cutting-edge research in Bavaria as well as national scientific projects as part of the Gauss Center for Supercomputing (GCS). The total investment for the project amounts to 250 million euros, jointly funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and the Bavarian State Ministry of Science and Arts (StMWK).
A Flexible Architecture for Innovative Applications
The design of Blue Lion combines traditional modeling and simulation workflows with advanced artificial intelligence (AI) methods. This integration allows researchers to perform more complex calculations and analyze patterns in areas such as turbulence, weather events, and predictive modeling, achieving faster and more accurate results.
The supercomputer will utilize HPE Cray technology with the latest generation of accelerators and processors provided by NVIDIA, and it will feature the HPE Slingshot interconnect, capable of transferring data at a speed of 400 gigabits per second between storage and computing units. These features will enable Blue Lion to achieve a performance 30 times greater than the current SuperMUC-NG, the supercomputer currently operating at LRZ.
Innovation in Programming
The interaction of GPU accelerators and CPU cores in Blue Lion requires new programming techniques. To facilitate this transition, HPE will implement its Cray Programming Environment, which optimizes scientific code and helps researchers migrate their applications. Additionally, starting in 2025, training courses and workshops will be offered at LRZ to allow scientists to make the most of the new system.
Energy Efficiency with Liquid Cooling
One of the most innovative aspects of Blue Lion will be its 100% direct liquid cooling system, where water at 40°C will circulate through copper pipes in the racks. This technology not only reduces operating costs and CO₂ emissions, but also allows for the reuse of generated heat. Currently, LRZ already uses the waste heat from its supercomputer to climate-control its offices, and in the future, it could supply thermal energy to neighboring organizations.
The efficiency of the system also translates into higher density in the server cabinets, reducing the need for physical space in the facilities.
Statements
Prof. Dieter Kranzlmüller, director of LRZ, emphasized the importance of this advancement:
“It’s not about having the fastest supercomputer, but rather providing the best possible support for cutting-edge research with our high-performance infrastructure.”
On his part, Heiko Meyer, executive vice president of sales at HPE, stated:
“Blue Lion reinforces Germany’s position as a leader in supercomputing and AI innovation, setting new standards for the future of scientific research.”
Lastly, John Josephakis, global vice president of sales at NVIDIA, highlighted:
“The focus on energy efficiency and sustainability will enable researchers to tackle complex challenges across disciplines from astrophysics to life sciences.”
A Bridge to the Future of Supercomputing
With Blue Lion, LRZ will not only increase its computational capacity but also set a benchmark in the integration of sustainable and cutting-edge technologies. This infrastructure will drive scientific research in Europe and contribute to solving the most complex challenges of the future across multiple disciplines.
LRZ and HPE continue to demonstrate that supercomputing can be efficient, quiet, and essential for advancing knowledge and innovation.