The supercomputing center project has a budget of $55 million and is scheduled to open in late 2011 or early 2012.

The new supercomputing center, which will house some of the world’s most powerful supercomputers, is scheduled to begin construction in Cheyenne during the first part of 2010.

According to H&L Architecture, construction on the new supercomputing center project will depend on approval and review of the National Science Foundation. The 153,000 square foot facility is being designed by H&L Architecture and the California Data Center Design groups.

These supercomputers will be dedicated to improving the scientific understanding of climate change, air quality, severe weather and other essential atmospheric science and geo-science subjects.

“On behalf of the university, I can say we’re very excited about the project and the areas of research that it will open up for us,” Jessica Lowell, UW director of Institutional Communications, said.

The new supercomputing facility will house one of the world’s most powerful supercomputers, which is 20 times more powerful than the existing NCAR computer. It will contain more than 100,000 processors that will be positioned across a 24,000-square-foot area.

A few of the project goals include designing a facility with the smallest possible carbon footprint, simplifying and lowering the cost of mechanical and electrical usage and showcasing unique features of the building’s energy and earth stewardship.

The design of the facility is to be modular, scalable and upgradable, providing a building that is functional, comfortable and safe for all occupants and visitors.

Plans for the project include a subfloor that is 10-feet deep, compared with today’s 28-inch space, for wiring and cooling the computers. The center will also contain a primary data storage and archival facility that will hold important historical climate records and other information.