High energy costs a risk to Brazilian supercomputer

The National Laboratory for Scientific Computing (LNCC), linked to the Ministry of Science, Technology, Innovation, and Communication, is waiting for funds from the federal government to ensure Santos Dumont, as its supercomputer is called, stays in operation. The piece of equipment, which became operational in January this year in Petrópolis, Rio de Janeiro, is used to process data and perform calculations and simulations as part of scientific and technological research, but is currently operating at low capacity due to budgetary constraints.

LNCC Director Augusto Gadelha says the laboratory lacks funding for its energy costs. Today, the LNCC's monthly expenses total some $44.3 thousand. However, no less than $147.5 thousand would be necessary for the machine to operate at full capacity every month. The costs incurred during the computer's acquisition, installation and operation add up to $17.7 million.

Gadelha explains that, since the beginning of the year, the platform has been put to use in only six research projects. However, at full capacity, the supercomputer is capable of dealing with as many as 50 scientific research studies. It can also perform over 1 quadrillion mathematical operations per second and help advance studies in bioinformatics, meteorology, and oil prospecting and exploration.

“A computer capable of such powerful processes allows you to address problems in such fields as environment, petroleum, health, meteorology, and pharmacy. You can carry out research and development projects which would be impossible if it weren't for this computer. It's become a necessary tool for general scientific development. World powers today race among themselves to have computers like that,” he said.

Santos Dumont, built by the French company Atos/Bull, is regarded as Latin America's fastest computer, Gadelha says. It is part of the National High-Performance Processing System (SINAPAD)—a network of high-performance computing centers distributed across Brazil used in scientific and technological research.

Federal government

The Ministry of Science, Technology, Innovation and Communication explains that $2.39 million was earmarked for the LNCC's budget this year, which should be enough to cover the institute's high costs for the next few months. Also according to official information, the ministry is currently holding talks with the economic staff for a supplement, in which $1.37 million have been requested and are now pending approval in the Planning Ministry.

The ministry declares the laboratory has been regularly receiving its due as set in the budget. The ministry goes on to say it hopes the computer may operate at full capacity once again so as not to hinder research studies and projects in progress.

Translated by Fabrício Ferreira