Towards Ultra-High Resolution Models of Climate and Weather
We present a speculative extrapolation of the performance aspects of an atmospheric general circulation model to ultra-high resolution and describe alternative technological paths to realize integration of such a model in the relatively near future. Due to a superlinear scaling of the computational burden dictated by stability criterion, the solution of the equations of motion dominate the calculation at ultra-high resolutions. From this extrapolation, it is estimated that a credible kilometer scale atmospheric model would require at least a sustained ten petaflop computer to provide scientifically useful climate simulations. Our design study portends an alternate strategy for practical power-efficient implementations of petaflop scale systems. Embedded processor technology could be exploited to tailor a custom machine designed to ultra-high climate model specifications at relatively affordable cost and power considerations. The major conceptual changes required by a kilometer scale climate model are certain to be difficult to implement. Although the hardware, software, and algorithms are all equally critical in conducting ultra-high climate resolution studies, it is likely that the necessary petaflop computing technology will be available in advance of a credible kilometer scale climate model.
- Research Organization:
- Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Director. Office of Science. Advanced ScientificComputing Research
- DOE Contract Number:
- DE-AC02-05CH11231
- OSTI ID:
- 929098
- Report Number(s):
- LBNL-60799; R&D Project: K11121; BnR: KJ0101030; TRN: US200812%%608
- Journal Information:
- International Journal of High Performance ComputingApplications, Vol. 22; Related Information: Journal Publication Date: 05/2008
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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