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What are the key challenges of HPC (high performance computing) systems? Until recently, the answer would have been maximizing performance and reliability while reducing costs. While these are still key objectives during development, the modern age has brought with it new challenges — most notably, sustainability.

The effects of climate change are no longer theoretical. They are visible, tangible, and irrefutably real. In a globalized, connected age, we are also presented with the social impact of technology and development on a regular basis. Protecting our environment — and the communities that inhabit this environment — while supporting the world with cutting-edge technology is now a top priority.

Read on to discover more about key sustainability challenges in high performance computing applications and how these can be overcome.

There are around 90 naturally occurring elements on our planet. More than 50 of these elements are used to develop high performance computing components. Once we factor in things like compounds and alloys, we're looking at a significant resource demand. The mining of cobalt and other materials used in batteries and computing components has led to concerns over environmental sustainability and the personal safety of those doing the mining itself.

By recycling materials and developing renewable replacements to raw materials, we can overcome these issues. What's also necessary is a global bill of rights for workers in this industry, protecting livelihoods, human dignity, and health and safety for all concerned.

Turning these raw materials into working components is also a significant sustainability concern. Manufacturers require large amounts of heat energy and water resources to create their components, as well as the raw materials. Testing, prototyping, and errors in manufacturing also lead to wastage, further decreasing sustainability.

New techniques could provide the answer. Additive manufacturing reduces the amount of resources required to create components. Highly effective simulations can also reduce the need for physical prototyping and errors, decreasing wastage even more.

Running the high computing performance components and systems is also a big challenge. Businesses need to operate these components on an almost around-the-clock basis, achieving high levels of processing power with minimal downtime. This makes it very hard to operate a competitive business without driving up your energy bills and, in turn, increasing your carbon footprint.

Using computer components designed for low power usage might be the answer. Pico-ITX SBCs like the EPX-TWLP and the EPX-ASLP or 1.8-inch SBCs like the EZX-EHLP are specifically constructed with low power consumption in mind, helping organizations hit their sustainability targets and maintain compliance with global regulations. At the same time, they don't compromise on processing power or computing capability.

Another issue is what happens to high computing performance components once they reach the end of their lifespan. Traditionally, concepts of planned obsolescence have plagued the tech industry. Businesses want their clients to buy more of their products, so they design them to stop working after a relatively short period of time so that customers purchase upgrades. This has led to huge amounts of e-waste making its way into landfills each year. In 2022, 62 million tonnes of e-waste were produced, an 82% rise since 2010. This is projected to rise by another 32%, reaching 82 million tonnes by 2030.

Recycling is one way to combat this. Rather than being thrown away, components can be harvested, and their raw materials can be used to develop new components and systems. Planned obsolescence is also becoming a thing of the past. Consumers are increasingly championing businesses that target sustainability over profit, and so they want products that are going to stand the test of time.

High performance computing technology can actually become a force for good and help businesses achieve sustainability like never before. For example, HPC systems are able to crunch supply chain numbers, identifying the most efficient and sustainable methods to deliver products where they are needed. These systems are also used in monitoring and analysis, making sure organizations are reliably hitting sustainability targets and benchmarks.

There is also artificial intelligence (AI) computing to consider here. While AI leads to sustainability problems of its own, it can become a force for environmentally friendly practices too. Artificial intelligence can support better operational planning, devising new ways to hit productivity goals while minimizing carbon footprints and energy usage. This technology can also improve accuracy in prototyping and development, reducing wastage and achieving better efficiency. Of course, artificial intelligence will be underpinned by high performance computing systems.

As long as AI can be developed sustainably and properly governed, this is one way in which HPC networks can boost sustainability in the future.

You may have noticed a theme here — all of the above points are interconnected. Recycling and extending the longevity of components reduces the strain on raw materials. Developing components in an energy-efficient way gives us the techniques and understanding required to run these components efficiently too.

In other words, a holistic approach is required. If we are to achieve real sustainability in high performance computing, we cannot simply focus on one area. We need to focus on the entire industry, from the initial sourcing of materials through to operation and even beyond. Low-power components, like the EPX-EHLP Pico ITX, EMX-SKLUP Mini ITX, and ECM-TWL embedded motherboard, are also designed to be long-lasting, reducing wastage while shrinking the carbon footprint.

This type of holistic approach is going to be key as we look to the next phase of high computing performance development.

Here at Avalue, we are proud to provide components that support sustainability in high performance computing without compromising on performance. Explore our range to find what you need, or reach out to our team to learn more.