Nationwide HPC systems
HpcBasisCluster.nrw and hpcFachCluster.nrw
In line with the principles set out in the state-level concept (Landeskonzept), the hpcCluster.nrw is being developed to consolidate Tier-3 HPC resources in North Rhine-Westphalia at four central locations, thereby making optimal use of synergies and economies of scale. One location will host the general hpcBasisCluster.nrw, while three additional sites will accommodate thematically specialized hpcFachCluster.nrw.
hpcBasisCluster.nrw
The hpcBasisCluster.nrw provides high-performance computing (HPC) capacities for universities that do not have their own Tier-3 system or that wish to cover their additional computing needs. This shared HPC cluster is intended to offer a cost- and energy-efficient alternative to setting up numerous smaller local systems.
It is being established and operated at the University of Cologne and serves as a basic supply of HPC capacities. The cluster is designed to provide low-threshold access to HPC resources and thus complement the existing digital ecosystem for HPC in the state.
The system will allocate 80 percent of its resources to dedicated AI workloads. Universities had the opportunity to acquire usage rights in advance; the expressions of interest for the first deployment phase have already been completed. The cluster is scheduled to go into operation in the fourth quarter of 2026. A second expansion phase is planned for 2027.
The authorized user institutions are structured by deployment phase as follows:
hpcBasisCluster 1
- Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf
- Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences
- University of Wuppertal
- Münster University of Applied Sciences
- Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences
- Ruhr University Bochum
- Niederrhein University of Applied Sciences
- Düsseldorf University of Applied Sciences
- University of Münster
- Westphalian University of Applied Sciences (Gelsenkirchen, Bocholt, Recklinghausen)
- University of Duisburg-Essen
- University of Siegen
- TH Köln – University of Applied Sciences
- OWL University of Applied Sciences and Arts
- RWTH Aachen University
- TU Dortmund University
hpcBasisCluster 2
- Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf
- Ruhr University Bochum
- Niederrhein University of Applied Sciences
- University of Duisburg-Essen
- University of Siegen
- University of Bonn
- Aachen University of Applied Sciences
- Hochschule Ruhr West – University of Applied Sciences
- University of Cologne
- Westphalian University of Applied Sciences (Gelsenkirchen, Bocholt, Recklinghausen)
hpcFachCluster.nrw
The hpcFachCluster.nrw provides high-performance computing (HPC) capacities across North Rhine-Westphalia for all universities in the state. It is distributed across three sites with different disciplinary focuses and replaces the previous Tier-3 backup services previously provided by the Tier-2 centers in the region. Regardless of the disciplinary focus, all hpcFachCluster.nrw sites will support machine learning as a core technology.
University of Paderborn – Physics and Chemistry
At Paderborn University, the hpcFachCluster.nrw for the fields of physics and chemistry is being established. Commissioning is scheduled for the end of 2026. The following locations are authorized to use the cluster:
- Bielefeld University
- University of Bonn
- Ruhr University Bochum
- University of Duisburg-Essen
- Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf
- University of Cologne
- Paderborn University
RWTH Aachen University – Engineering
The hpcFachCluster.nrw for engineering sciences is being established at RWTH Aachen University. The expression of interest process has already been completed. Commissioning of the cluster is planned for the second quarter of 2027. At the Aachen site, the following universities have acquired usage rights to the hpcFachCluster.nrw:
- RWTH Aachen University
- University of Siegen
- University of Bonn
- University of Wuppertal
- Ruhr University Bochum
- University of Duisburg-Essen
- Westphalian University of Applied Sciences
- Bonn-Rhine-Sieg University of Applied Sciences
University of Duisburg-Essen for the UA Ruhr – Biology, Biochemistry, and Applied Mathematics
At the University of Duisburg-Essen, the hpcFachCluster.nrw for biology, biochemistry and applied mathematics is being established. Commissioning is expected for early 2028. The following locations are authorized to use the cluster:
- TU Dortmund University
- Ruhr University Bochum
- University of Wuppertal
- Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf
- University of Duisburg-Essen
Contact and Support
If you have any questions or inquiries, please feel free to contact us at hpccluster@hpc.nrw.
FAQ on the first expansion phase of the hpcBasisCluster.nrw
ATTENTION: ERROR IN THE COST CALCULATION
An error occurred in the original calculation of the operating costs. The corrected calculation is as follows:
“Based on an operating time of 8,640 hours per year with five days of maintenance, the annual operating costs would amount to €950,460.48. With a personal contribution of €15,000 investment, the resulting annual operating costs would be €17,281.10. This corresponds to approximately 1.82% of the total system (including the state’s share).”
Please note that these operating costs are an estimate based on our previous experience. The final billing will be carried out according to the actual electricity consumption and will be proportionally allocated through a fair-use settlement.