Science Centres: Atmosphere, Climate, Coasts, Energy, Natural Hazards, Oceans

Greater computing power is leading to more accurate environmental forecasting and modelling across the world. NIWA performs world class climate, ocean and weather related hazards modelling.

Up until recently, NIWA has used its Cray T3E1200e, which in 1999 was the 63rd fastest supercomputer in the world to carry out climate, weather, hazards and marine research. However, this machine has now reached the end of it's operating life and has been replaced by equipment nearly 100 times more powerful. NIWA has invested  $12.7 million in a new High Performance Computing Facility (HPCF) that will also become a national supercomputing research asset.

The new supercomputer, named FitzRoy will provide a Capability Class supercomputer for use by New Zealand scientists working at the forefront of some of the largest scientific challenges facing our nation, as well as underpin our contributions to global research efforts across a wide range of disciplines. It is the fastest machine of it's kind in the southern hemisphere and comfortably in the world's top 500 supercomputers. It has a peak speed of 34 Tflops which  a low latency, high bandwidth interconnect allowing the machine to act as a unified tool to solve the largest scientific problems.

The IBM System p575 POWER6 supercomputer and support system was installed in a custom computer hall at NIWA’s Wellington Campus in June 2010. This system the same platform as in use at the UK Met Office, and we will be using the Met Office’s  Unified Model System to conduct weather and climate prediction research and  operational hazards forecasting.

The new HPCF will be dedicated to further advancing our understanding of the complex physical and biophysical components of our climate, weather, land-surface, freshwater and marine systems. It will enable New Zealanders to better adapt to a warming future climate, maximise the value of the resources provided by our present climate for horticulture and agriculture, efficiently manage our renewable energy resources, ensure that freshwater resources are understood and sustainably managed, reduce our exposure to weather related hazards, and improve ocean resource management. Scientists outside NIWA are also planning use it to simulate human physiology and to design drugs that will effectively target diseased tissue. 

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