Construction crews near completion for a new transformer platform outside the computational sciences building. The transformers will power the OLCF’s next-generation supercomputer, Summit, set to be delivered in 2017.
OLCF moves closer to completing infrastructure milestones for new Summit supercomputer
In late 2014, the Oak Ridge Leadership Computing Facility (OLCF) announced major news: the facility has partnered with IBM, NVIDIA, and Mellanox to build its next-generation supercomputer. Named Summit, the machine will have at least five times the performance of Titan, the current leadership machine at the OLCF, a US Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science User Facility located at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
Following the announcement, the OLCF began infrastructure changes needed to accommodate Summit. Staff members working on the construction projects have highlighted several major milestones already completed as the OLCF prepares for Summit’s installation beginning in 2017. The milestones include the following:
- Detailed design of Facilities Enhancement scope is complete, including 10 MW of power (and 2 MW step increases to 20 MW), and the central energy plant (CEP) expansion. Construction began in 2015, and is scheduled for completion in 2017.
- The detailed design included analysis and detailed product selection of all significant equipment including the 13.8 kV unit substations and switch gear, oil-filled transformers, plate and frame heat exchangers, variable frequency drives, pumps, filtering systems, and cooling towers.
- The completion of the detailed design during 2015 allowed for the purchase of significant long-lead procurement items, reducing the risk to schedule, availability, and construction crew staffing.
- Construction crews are nearing completion of the new transformer platform outside the computational sciences building. Up to 7 transformers on this structure will provide up to 20 MW of capacity for future computer systems.
- As part of the new mechanical energy plant (MEP), construction crews have relocated several laser lab facilities and are reusing the space for the MEP.
For more details on Summit, please visit: https://www.olcf.ornl.gov/summit/.
Oak Ridge National Laboratory is supported by the US Department of Energy’s Office of Science. The single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States, the Office of Science is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. For more information, please visit science.energy.gov.
