Germany Unveils “Otus” Supercomputer: A Green Powerhouse for Research

In a major step for European science, Paderborn University has introduced its advanced supercomputer named Otus. Built with Lenovo and pro com Datensysteme GmbH, this system combines immense computing strength with unmatched energy efficiency. It marks a proud milestone in sustainable high-performance computing, promising to power research breakthroughs while keeping environmental impact low and manageable.

Impressive Power and Performance Figures

Otus holds about 142,656 processor cores and 108 GPU accelerators, with a memory pool of roughly 593.3 TiB. It delivers dual peak performance, reaching 11.44 PFLOPS for CPUs and 7.45 PFLOPS for GPUs. The system’s storage subsystem offers 5.4 PB of capacity through IBM Spectrum Scale technology, while Nvidia NDR InfiniBand interconnects ensure seamless 200 to 400 Gbps data transfer rates between nodes.

Efficiency and Sustainability at Its Core

Housed across 11 racks, Otus blends direct liquid cooling and air-cooled components. The facility operates entirely on renewable electricity, and its waste heat is reused to warm campus buildings. This design not only saves energy but also demonstrates how technology can serve both innovation and ecology together. Otus currently ranks fifth globally on the Green500 list for energy-efficient supercomputers.

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Empowering Research Across Disciplines

High-performance computing now drives modern research across climate science, artificial intelligence, quantum studies, and life sciences. Otus nearly doubles the computing capacity of its predecessor, giving scientists tools to explore new frontiers. Researchers at Paderborn and across Germany can access its power through the National High-Performance Computing Alliance, boosting national research potential and collaborative innovation.

Leadership Speaks on Vision and Impact

Professor Christian Plessl from the Paderborn Centre for Parallel Computing highlighted that Otus represents a future-ready infrastructure, setting new standards in energy efficiency. University President Professor Matthias Bauer added that high-performance computing helps address key global challenges by processing vast data quickly. It allows scientists to simulate experiments that might otherwise be dangerous, expensive, or even impossible in real life.

Architecture Built for Versatility and Growth

Otus offers a flexible design tailored for diverse research needs. It includes large-memory nodes featuring 1,536 GiB RAM each, GPU nodes with dual 96-core AMD EPYC Turin processors and four Nvidia H100 GPUs, and FPGA nodes using AMD Alveo V80 cards. Planned upgrades will expand to 100 FPGA units, ensuring that Otus remains adaptable and future-proof in the evolving landscape of computing.

Advanced Software and Research Tools

Researchers using Otus will enjoy a smooth experience with modern tools such as containerized workflows through Singularity and web-based JupyterHub access. The data center itself is engineered for reliability and sustainability, supported by indirect hot-water cooling systems that balance performance with energy conservation. This ensures top-tier research output without compromising environmental goals.

Investment and Future Outlook

Funded jointly by Germany’s federal government and the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, the project represents an investment of about €14 million. Otus has been operational since September 2025, already serving scientific users. Its full value will depend on how effectively researchers utilize its immense capacity for AI, quantum workloads, and data-intensive projects, shaping Europe’s next chapter in green, intelligent supercomputing.

Key Specifications of Otus Supercomputer