National Grid Electricity Distribution (NGED) recently powered up the UK’s most advanced AI supercomputer in just three weeks, connecting it to Bristol’s distribution network with a new 5 MW connection. The Isambard-AI system, a collaboration between the University of Bristol, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, and NVIDIA, is now among the top 11 high-performance computers globally, boasting speeds 100,000 times faster than a standard laptop. With £225 million in government funding, this supercomputer will revolutionize various fields, from drug discovery to climate modeling.
To support the energy demands of the Isambard-AI system, NGED engineers worked swiftly to establish a robust grid connection, laying hundreds of meters of underground cable and constructing a high-voltage substation at the Bristol & Bath Science Park. This marks NGED’s first supercomputer connection in the South West of England, a significant milestone for the region. Stephen Blackwell, NGED’s Bristol Head of Operations, emphasized the importance of this collaboration in advancing the country’s AI capabilities.
Operated by the Bristol Centre for Supercomputing, Isambard-AI is set to lead the UK’s efforts in developing sovereign AI capacity. Equipped with 5,448 NVIDIA Grace Hopper Superchips and HPE’s Cray EX architecture, the system delivers over 200 petaFLOPS of peak performance while prioritizing energy efficiency. Professor Simon McIntosh-Smith, Director of the Bristol Centre for Supercomputing, highlighted the significance of securing a 5MW grid connection, enabling the full potential of Isambard-AI and paving the way for groundbreaking research in AI innovation and scientific discovery.
Now fully operational and accessible to academic, governmental, and industrial users through the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) framework, Isambard-AI is positioned as a key player in driving innovation, skills development, and economic growth in the region and beyond. With the new high-voltage infrastructure in place, there is room for future expansion to accommodate the University of Bristol’s plans to scale the supercomputer cluster further, ensuring continued advancements in AI research and technology.
