GENCI launches series of ‘Grand Challenges’ to test capacity of its 9-petaflop Atos supercomputer

Paris, June 26, 2018

Atos, a global leader in digital transformation, and GENCI (Grand Equipement National de Calcul Intensif), announce the forthcoming operational launch of the new Joliot-Curie supercomputer, installed at the TGCC (Très Grand Centre de Calcul du CEA) in Bruyères-Le-Châtel (Essonne, France). This BullSequana X1000 system built by Atos will enter the TOP500 ranking of the world’s largest supercomputers in June 2018.

Before it goes live, a series of Grand Challenges – large scale simulations from academic and industry research – are currently being run to check that the system is functioning correctly. These Grand Challenges represent a unique opportunity for selected scientists to gain access to the supercomputer’s resources, enabling them to make major advances, or even achieve world firsts that would be impossible to achieve with shared use.

At the end of the Grand Challenges, the Joliot-Curie supercomputer will be available to French as well as European researchers through the European research infrastructure PRACE (PartneRship for Advanced Computing in Europe), within which GENCI represents France. Researchers and industrialists will thus have at their disposal 4.5 times the computing power compared to the previous Curie system, for all uses requiring very high computing and data processing power.

“GENCI is pleased to make the most innovative supercomputer in France, a 9-petaflop BullSequana X1000, available for French and European research, helping to strengthen the global scientific competitiveness of our researchers, academics, and industrialists, and reinforce economic competitiveness based on digital developments. This supercomputer also embodies the acceleration of France’s investment in major research infrastructures for the development of a knowledge society,” explains Philippe Lavocat, CEO of GENCI.

Launch of the Joliot-Curie Supercomputer –
Interview with Philippe Lavocat, GENCI CEO

***

Press contact : laura.fau@atos.net