Project on Frequency services for the electrical grid from HPC data centers granted by Vinnova

29 January 2023, 19:44

HPC data centers have high maximum power and can run extensive simulations and AI workloads continuously. In many situations, the result is not of urgent nature, and users can accept minor delays. HPC systems could with relatively simple solutions, e.g. reduce the CPU/GPU frequency, reduce the workload, control/plan the jobs or use battery capacity instead of burdening the electricity grid, quickly contributing to temporarily reduced electricity use in Sweden.

The purpose of the project is to demonstrate and describe different methods of how HPC data centers can act on the frequency market to help the power grid during unforeseen disturbances. The total installed power capacity in HPC data centers in Sweden, located at universities, institutes, large companies and dedicated data center operators, is estimated to be at least 20MW.

If the methods are implemented, this will be a powerful method to help the power grid. The main advantage of introducing new frequency balancing sources is that the fault tolerance of the grid increases, and the operational resilience increases. It could also mean that fewer expensive resources are required.

The goal of the effort is to calculate the total possible effect that can be achieved, develop solutions for HPC facilities, describe these in a recommendation, and implement and demonstrate a selection of the methods in RISE ICE GPU clusters with a size of about 100 kW. Together with partners, the goal is also to prepare tests and implementation in the actual operation of a stakeholder. Achieved power savings and response times will be measured.

The results will be published with measurements and methods in a guideline and a report presented at a suitable scientific conference. The results are also planned to be presented at industry events. The implemented methods will be demonstrated at Vinnova's demo event. The demonstration will primarily be performed at the RISE ICE GPU/CPU cluster. Software for processing power grid signals will be freely available to HPC operators. In this way, the pace can be increased to make a difference in the energy crisis.

Partners in the project are RISE ICE Datacenter as the project coordinator and main developer, Vattenfall with deep knowledge in the frequency ancillary services market for the grid, and Vertiv with expertise in UPS and battery technologies. The main stakeholders are KTH, PDC High Performance Computing Center and its host Akademiska Hus and Eco Datacenter, that operates HPC clusters.

Tor Björn Minde

Enhetschef

+46 70 624 29 59