Supplying energy to the American people is an increasingly complex task. These complexities include not just the conversion of the various forms of energy (oil, gas, wind, hydropower, etc.) into useful forms (transportation fuel and electricity) but also moving the more useful form to where it can be used (transmission). Economics and government regulations complicate the matter further.
Let’s focus on electricity supply. The U.S. Electricity Grid, which could be considered the largest machine in the world, has innumerable moving parts. All elements must work together to provide a sufficient amount of electricity to homes, schools, businesses, and factories when its needed and at an affordable price. How do we know what is sufficient? How do we know when to supply it? How can we make it cheaper?
High-performance computing can help us answer these questions. The data is there, and U.S. computing capabilities have developed to a point where we can analyze and convert the data into actionable information.
The data currently available is immense. Not only does generation vary moment by moment but so does demand. Couple this with rapidly changing system dynamics such as minute-by-minute weather changes and associated impacts, and the availability of cooling water. Now add smart grid, other incoming data and the need for outgoing decisions. Pulling it all together represents real time computational challenges.
U.S. high-performance computing capabilities resident at our national laboratories can turn these challenges into an opportunity for competitive advantage. What was once only available for unique, extremely important and expensive government research projects or the largest corporations is now available to benefit society on a greater scale. Furthermore, the breadth and depth of an educated and talented work force to utilize these tools is expanding. The world-wide competitive advantage this will provide is beginning to be realized across various domestic and international industry sectors.
The HPC for Energy initiative is a very important and timely program that can accelerate the realization of the benefits of better-informed deployment of HPC across all aspects of the U.S. energy supply chain.
About HPC for Energy
HPC for Energy is a dynamic online resource presenting the latest news and analysis on how High-Performance Computing (HPC) is advancing new energy technologies. By testing a new concept or product with HPC modeling and simulation, companies can dramatically reduce the time and effort necessary to bring a new product to market. Shortened development windows give American companies an edge in an increasingly competitive global marketplace. Visit HPC for Energy today at www.hpc4energy.org and follow @hpc4energy on Twitter.
About the Author
Carl O. Bauer is the former Director of the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) and Founder and President of C.O. Bauer Consulting, Inc. Presently, his company provides technical and managerial assistance to industry, utilities, national laboratories and state and federal government agencies relative to energy and technology utilization and investment.
This post was originally published on HPC for Energy and is reposted here with permission.
