Atlanta, GA — November 18, 2024 — Destination Earth and advancements powered by the LUMI supercomputer have been recognised in the 21st edition of the HPCwire Readers’ Choice Awards, presented at the 2024 International Conference for High Performance Computing, Networking, Storage, and Analysis (SC24), in Atlanta, Georgia. The list of winners was revealed at the SC24 HPCwire booth, as well as on the HPCwire website.

Destination Earth was recognised with the following honours:

The Destination Earth initiative:

• Readers’ Choice: Best Use of HPC in Physical Sciences

The Destination Earth Climate Change Adaptation Digital Twin:

• Readers’ Choice: Top HPC-Enabled Scientific Achievement

The coveted annual HPCwire Readers’ Choice Awards are determined through a nomination and voting process with the global HPCwire community, as well as selections from the HPCwire editors. The awards are an annual feature of the publication and constitute prestigious recognition from the HPC community. They are revealed each year to kick off the annual supercomputing conference, which showcases high performance computing, networking, storage, and data analysis.

Tom Tabor, CEO of Tabor Communications, publishers of HPCwire said, “This year, as we celebrate HPCwire’s 35th anniversary covering HPC and SC, and as we are at the advent of an HPC-led AI transformation, the 2024 Readers’ and Editors’ Choice Awards certainly reflect these exciting events”.

“Throughout the world, we see grand challenge problems that can only be explored and solved because of HPC, now aided by AI. Rarely do these accomplishments come to light, much less are they recognized for their contribution to society. Between our worldwide readership of HPC experts and the most renowned panel of editors in the industry, the Readers’ and Editors’ Choice Awards represent resounding recognition of the many deep and varied HPC accomplishments throughout the world. Our sincerest gratitude and hearty congratulations go out to all of the winners”, he continued.

European Commission DG CONNECT Director-General Roberto Viola said, “I am delighted that Destination Earth, a flagship EU initiative, and LUMI have been recognised with not one, but two awards in the HPCwire Readers’ and Editor’s Choice Awards. These prizes are true recognition of the groundbreaking nature of Destination Earth. I am truly proud of all the achievements so far and look forward to the future as Destination Earth helps us tackle the climate challenges of today and tomorrow”.

ECMWF Director-General Florence Rabier  said, “We are delighted that Destination Earth has received these rewards. ECMWF has been an Entrusted Entity of this visionary European Commission initiative since the beginning alongside its partners, ESA and EUMETSAT. In two years, over 90 organisations from across Europe, including CSC have collaborated with ECMWF to develop the digital twins. Combining this network with the strategic partnership, the power of EuroHPC and the expertise of ECMWF’s Member States network, we are seeing extraordinary innovation and progress. These awards are a huge honour for all involved”.

Kimmo Koski, Managing Director of CSC – IT Center for Science, Finland, on behalf of the LUMI consortium said, “We are extremely proud of these awards. This year is predicted to be the warmest in the measured history. LUMI’s computing power, used in initiatives such as Destination Earth and the Climate Change Adaptation Digital Twin project, is crucial in our fight against climate change. These projects already provide tangible tools to deepen our understanding of climate change and to enhance our ability to predict and adapt to its impacts”.

More information on these awards can be found at the HPCwire website (www.HPCwire.com) or on X through the following hashtag: #HPCwireRCA24.