Energy-aware operation of HPC systems in Germany

Suarez E, Bockelmann H, Eicker N, Eitzinger J, El Sayed S, Fieseler T, Frank M, Frech P, Giesselmann P, Hackenberg D, Hager G, Herten A, Ilsche T, Koller B, Laure E, Manzano C, Oeste S, Ott M, Reuter K, Schneider R, Thust K, von St. Vieth B (2025)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2025

Journal

Frontiers in High Performance Computing frontiers

Book Volume: 3

DOI: 10.3389/fhpcp.2025.1520207

Abstract

High Performance Computing (HPC) systems are among the most energy-intensive scientific facilities, with electric power consumption reaching and often exceeding 20 Megawatts per installation. Unlike other major scientific infrastructures such as particle accelerators or high-intensity light sources, which are few around the world, the number and size of supercomputers are continuously increasing. Even if every new system generation is more energy efficient than the previous one, the overall growth in size of the HPC infrastructure, driven by a rising demand for computational capacity across all scientific disciplines, and especially by Artificial Intelligence (AI) workloads, rapidly drives up the energy demand. This challenge is particularly significant for HPC centers in Germany, where high electricity costs, stringent national energy policies, and a strong commitment to environmental sustainability are key factors. This paper describes various state-of-the-art strategies and innovations employed to enhance the energy efficiency of HPC systems within the national context. Case studies from leading German HPC facilities illustrate the implementation of novel heterogeneous hardware architectures, advanced monitoring infrastructures, high-temperature cooling solutions, energy-aware scheduling, and dynamic power management, among other optimisations. By reviewing best practices and ongoing research, this paper aims to share valuable insight with the global HPC community, motivating the pursuit of more sustainable and energy-efficient HPC architectures and operations.

Authors with CRIS profile

Jan Eitzinger Professur für Höchstleistungsrechnen Georg Hager Regionales Rechenzentrum Erlangen (RRZE)

Involved external institutions

Forschungszentrum Jülich / Research Centre Jülich (FZJ) DE Germany (DE) Höchstleistungsrechenzentrum Stuttgart (HLRS) DE Germany (DE) Leibniz-Rechenzentrum der Bayerischen Akademie der Wissenschaften DE Germany (DE) Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) DE Germany (DE) Bergische Universität Wuppertal DE Germany (DE) Rechenzentrum Garching der Max-Planck-Gesellschaft (MPCDF) / Max Planck Computing & Data Facility DE Germany (DE) Technische Universität Dresden DE Germany (DE) Deutsches Klimarechenzentrum (DKRZ) / German Climate Computing Centre DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Suarez, E., Bockelmann, H., Eicker, N., Eitzinger, J., El Sayed, S., Fieseler, T.,... von St. Vieth, B. (2025). Energy-aware operation of HPC systems in Germany. Frontiers in High Performance Computing, 3. https://doi.org/10.3389/fhpcp.2025.1520207

MLA:

Suarez, Estela, et al. "Energy-aware operation of HPC systems in Germany." Frontiers in High Performance Computing 3 (2025).

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