Supercomputer Cools Off Using Groundwater

Posted by samzenpus on Wednesday January 18, 2012 @08:41PM from the refreshing-drink dept.

gManZboy writes "The Department of Energy is no stranger to supercomputers, and its Pacific Northwest National Lab has proven that it can continue to be an innovator in the field by using what the lab calls a unique groundwater-fed cooling system in the lab's newest supercomputer, Olympus. The novel cooling system translates normal groundwater into big savings for the new 162 teraflop supercomputer, which is being used in energy, chemical, and fluid dynamics research. The setup translates into 70% less energy use than traditionally cooled systems."

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Re:how does it really work? by Anonymous Coward · 2012-01-18 21:08 · Score: 5, Funny

The water forms a closed loop, not the heat. That's what my 12 yo cousin makes of the statement, YMMV
Nice concept by jupiter126 · 2012-01-18 21:49 · Score: 1, Funny

Use this massively in California, this should (long term) slightly raise the temperature (entropy) of the undergrounds, thus contributing to tectonic activity.
Re:Geothermal heat pumps by ciderbrew · 2012-01-18 21:51 · Score: 3, Funny

I'd start up an Evil company and lower the water table. I'll not pump that water back unless you pay me .. One Millions Dollers. Mwaahaha aa Mwwhaahaa haaaa.