Summary:
- Digital Realty and Imperial College London have collaborated on the UK’s first direct liquid-cooled high-performance computing system at the Woking facility.
- The partnership aims to enhance Imperial’s research infrastructure in AI, climate science, healthcare, engineering, and more, positioning the university as a Tier 3 HPC environment in the UK.
- The initiative, stemming from the ICICLE programme, focuses on energy-efficient HPC and AI solutions, with a strong emphasis on empowering researchers and accelerating scientific advancements.
Rewritten Article:
Imperial College London and Digital Realty have joined forces to introduce the UK’s first direct liquid-cooled high-performance computing system at the Woking facility. This groundbreaking collaboration signifies a major milestone in Imperial’s strategic plan to establish cutting-edge research infrastructure that will support a wide range of disciplines, including AI, climate science, healthcare, and engineering. By incorporating this innovative technology, Imperial solidifies its position as a top-tier HPC university environment in the UK.
The roots of this initiative can be traced back to the ICICLE programme, a long-standing partnership between Imperial College, Intel Corporation, and Lenovo, which aims to develop energy-efficient HPC and AI solutions. As the project comes to fruition in anticipation of 2026, Digital Realty’s state-of-the-art facilities play a crucial role in accommodating high-density, liquid-cooled workloads. The newly integrated HPC platform, equipped with liquid-cooling solutions from Lenovo, not only boosts computational performance but also aligns with Imperial’s sustainability goals.
Beyond the technical upgrades, the collaboration between Imperial, Digital Realty, and Lenovo promises to provide researchers with advanced AI capabilities, streamline data-heavy simulations, and expedite the translation of scientific discoveries into practical applications. This holistic approach underscores the commitment to empowering researchers and driving innovation across various fields, from drug discovery to climate modeling.
The partnership between Imperial College London, Digital Realty, and Lenovo exemplifies a blueprint for AI infrastructure in the UK that combines research excellence, cutting-edge technology, and environmentally friendly practices. By leveraging sophisticated data center solutions, research institutions can gain a competitive edge in the rapidly evolving landscape of AI and simulation work. From the initial contract signing in July 2025 to the operational handover in Q4 2025, the project involved intricate structural enhancements and the installation of liquid-cooling infrastructure, highlighting Digital Realty’s expertise in efficiently delivering high-intensity AI deployments.
Overall, this collaboration sets a precedent for future research initiatives by showcasing the transformative impact of integrating advanced data center solutions into national research agendas. With a focus on driving scientific progress and fostering innovation, the partnership between Imperial College London, Digital Realty, and Lenovo paves the way for a new era of AI infrastructure in the UK.
