The Italian consortium Innovate has been awarded the first industry-grade supercomputer project funded by the European High-Performance Computing Joint Undertaking (EuroHPC JU). Innovate is led by Cineca and includes key partners such as ICSC – Italian Research Center on HPC, Big Data and Quantum Computing, Almawave (Almaviva Group), Autostrade per l’Italia, BI-REX, Fondazione IFAB, Snam, and UnipolSai.
Launched in 2018, EuroHPC aims to establish the EU as a global leader in high-performance computing (HPC) and quantum computing. Building on previous successes such as the installation of systems like Leonardo, HPC6 (Eni), and Pitagora, which positioned Italy as the third-largest global computing power, the Innovate project is set to further solidify the country’s leadership in supercomputing.
What sets this project apart is its groundbreaking nature: for the first time, EuroHPC has launched a co-funded initiative (35% by EuroHPC) targeted at private-sector consortia. This program aims to enrich Europe’s infrastructure with a cutting-edge supercomputing system specifically designed for industrial use, ensuring optimal standards in accessibility, operation, and security.
Hosted at Bologna Technopole
The supercomputer will be housed at the Bologna Technopole and managed by Cineca. It will accelerate the adoption of AI and advanced HPC technologies to drive industrial and technological development in Italy and across Europe. Combining the power of HPC with the flexibility of the cloud, the system will integrate state-of-the-art GPU and CPU hardware technologies.
This system is tailored to support industrial applications such as numerical simulation, data analysis, and machine learning, contributing to the digitization of production processes and fostering innovation. It will enable a range of applications, including predictive maintenance, optimization of industrial processes, engineering simulations, AI algorithm development, and delivery of AI services.
Empowering SMEs and Driving Digital Innovation
The project also emphasizes the democratization of advanced technologies, extending their benefits to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). By doing so, Innovate will strengthen Italy’s innovation ecosystem and support the country’s transition toward digital transformation.
Antonio Zoccoli, President of the ICSC Italian Research Center, remarked:
“Innovate continues the journey of advancing Italy’s supercomputing capabilities, an endeavor supported by the government and the entire productive system in a synergistic effort. This initiative underscores the strategic and enabling value of HPC technologies for substantial and sustainable growth. It aligns with the vision outlined by Mario Draghi’s recent report to the European Commission. Innovate represents a critical milestone, furthering the mission of ICSC as a strategic asset for Italy and the global community.”
Francesco Ubertini, President of Cineca and Vice President of ICSC, added:
“Innovate is a highly significant initiative for Italy and highlights the country’s leadership role in Europe. For the first time, the European HPC infrastructure expands with an industry-grade system driven by a collaborative effort among businesses. The future hinges on our enterprises’ ability to adopt advanced digital technologies, and Innovate sets a precedent that we hope inspires many similar projects in the future.”
Innovate is poised to play a pivotal role in fostering technological innovation and industrial competitiveness, ensuring Italy remains at the forefront of the global supercomputing landscape.
