PRACE - Third Implementation Phase Project

PRACE-3IP supports the accelerated implementation of the pan-European HPC Research Infrastructure (RI) created in April 2010. It continues, complements, and extends the work of the PRACE-1IP and -2IP projects.PRACE-3IP addresses the computational and simulation needs of European scientific communities and of industry to keep them at the forefront of discovery. Our vision is the formation of an integrated HPC ecosystem of facilities and services enabling researchers to realise the full potential of computational science within the supportive environment of the ERA.The project will undertake a joint pre-commercial procurement (PCP) pilot to obtain a solution for a 'Whole System Design for Energy Efficient HPC'. This pilot is the first of its kind on a Europe-wide level and the lessons learned will be invaluable for PRACE in its future procurement strategy and for Europe as a whole in using PCP as a driver for innovation.PRACE-3IP will deliver a broad set of services suitable for use by industry and commerce. The PRACE RI will be open for use by SMEs and large European businesses, offering Tier-0 and Tier-1 access, training, and applications support.Applications support and enabling will have a bias towards addressing major socio-economic challenges. New tools will be made available under Open Source. Best practises will be identified, documented and made available to the European HPC community in academia and industry.PRACE-3IP will have a broad training and outreach activity designed to engage more user communities, including industry, in the use of HPC. The next generation of students and researchers will be introduced to the benefits of HPC and the technologies and knowledge required applying it successfully in their discipline.PRACE-3IP will considerably strengthen and deepen the co-operation between HPC centres, funding bodies and research communities in a mutually beneficial partnership to enhance European scientific and industrial competitiveness.