Key takeaways from the Energy HPC Conference 2025

The annual Energy High-Performance Computing (HPC) Conference by the Ken Kennedy Institute in Houston is a hub for innovation. A place for experts to dive into the latest advancements in HPC, machine learning, data science, and computational engineering. From tackling industry challenges to exploring new opportunities, the conference sparked insightful discussions and forward-thinking solutions. 

The event recently took place at Rice University in Houston, and this article gives a roundup of the key takeaways and emerging trends you need to know.

Interplay between HPC and Artificial Intelligence (AI) 

A significant focus of the conference was the interaction between HPC and AI, with several presenters highlighting market trends in these technologies. Dan Stanzione, PhD, from the Texas Advanced Computing Center (TACC), discussed how HPC is a key enabler of AI. He noted the increasing costs associated with storage and cloud computing, emphasizing that AI is now consuming around 17 times the yearly power consumption of New Zealand.  

The growing complexity of scientific and industrial computing, coupled with AI advancements and data-driven workloads, is driving an increased need for both power and advanced hardware in HPC. As demand grows, the industry is also focusing on energy efficiency and innovative hardware solutions to manage power consumption while maximizing performance. 

The sessions underscored that AI is no longer just an add-on; it’s now embedded into most aspects of HPC workflows.  

For the energy sector, from enhancing seismic analysis to optimizing complex simulations, AI’s deep integration into HPC is fundamentally transforming how we handle data and computation. 

Advantages of GPU acceleration 

Graphics processing unit (GPU) acceleration in HPC was a hot topic, with many speakers discussing its advantages over traditional CPU processing. In high-performance computing, GPUs significantly outperform CPUs for parallel workloads, with performance gains in seismic imaging and computational fluid dynamics reaching up to 50X. The transition to GPU acceleration is substantial, with many legacy codes being refactored to leverage parallel architectures. The ongoing development of sophisticated APIs and libraries is expected to facilitate broader adoption and further performance enhancements in scientific simulations. 

• GPUs provide significant speed up for parallel processing tasks, making them ideal for simulations and data analysis in energy applications. 

• They are more energy-efficient vs traditional CPUs, reducing operational costs in data centers. 

• GPU acceleration supports real-time data processing, which is crucial for applications like smart grid management and renewable energy integration. 
  

The hardware landscape is evolving rapidly, driven by the shift toward GPU acceleration. 

Importance of benchmarking 

The conference also featured in-depth technical discussions on HPC benchmarking and GPU versus CPU comparisons. Notably, ExxonMobil shared its process for benchmarking and acquiring next-generation supercomputers, providing valuable insights into costs, power constraints, and hardware timelines. bp's "GPU migration for a seismic imaging software framework" session offered practical knowledge on building large-scale GPU clusters. 

• Benchmarking helps organizations assess the performance of different computing resources, ensuring optimal investment in next-generation technologies. 

• It allows for the comparison of HPC systems and configurations, guiding decisions on hardware and software choices. 

• Regular benchmarking ensures that energy companies stay competitive by leveraging the latest advancements in computing power and efficiency. 

With rising compute costs and power demands, the industry is shifting toward more sustainable HPC models. Discussions highlighted the need to rethink costly, power-intensive setups in favor of more efficient, cloud-based solutions.  

The Energy HPC Conference highlighted the rapid pace of change in HPC, and the insights shared during the event underscored the importance of investing in advanced hardware, optimizing performance, and adopting more sustainable computing models.  

The evolving HPC landscape presents both challenges and opportunities, positioning energy companies that adapt quickly to stay ahead in a highly competitive market. 

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