The Australian National University is set to host a $100 million world-leading supercomputer that will enable data-intensive research into climate change, earch science and national water management.

 

Due for completion by 2013, the computer will be built and installed by Fujitsu Australia under an agreement signed with the ANU. The project is receiving $50 million in funding under the Australian Government's Super Science Initiative.

 

"It is a petascale computer - with a processing power equivalent to 56,000 desktop computers - and it will help ensure that we develop and retain highly-skilled technical specialists," Minister for Science and Research Senator Chris Evans said.

 

"Australian researchers, nation-wide, will be able to use the computer to construct the most accurate and detailed models of the Earth's climatic systems that are possible today.

 

"The supercomputer will help to fast track technical advances in computational research techniques."

 

The supercomputer forms a key component of the Federal Government's $901 ,million investment in research infrastructure through the Super Science Iniatitve.

 

The project is a partnership between the Australian Government, the ANU, CSIRO, the Bureau of Meteorology, Geoscience Australia and several leading universities.