Technology Trending: Exascale computing, hybrid solar and wind, Monopoly
Image: Soleolico
Energy researchers to look to Edinburgh for next-gen computing, hybrid solar and wind energy and a Loughborough energy company on Monopoly are on the week’s technology radar.
Energy researchers to look to Edinburgh for next-gen computing
Energy researchers are set to look to the University of Edinburgh for its advanced computing needs, as it has been selected by the government to host the UK’s first exascale supercomputer.
Exascale computing represents the next generation of computing, with a speed 50 times faster than current facilities and the ability to perform one billion billion calculations per second.
Such computers, given their complexity and cost, are becoming the preserve of ‘centres’ and ‘as a service’ rather than an ‘in house’ function.
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Once operational, the Edinburgh exascale computer will provide high-performance computing capability for energy and other key research and industry projects across the UK.
“These supercomputers are immensely complex systems, and we’ll use everything we’ve learnt over the past 30 years to run the best possible service for our thousands of users from across the UK’s scientific and industrial research communities,” says Professor Mark Parsons, director of the University’s EPCC supercomputing centre where the facility will be housed.
The supercomputer will be located in a new purpose built wing, with the installation of the first phase due to begin in 2025.
Hybrid solar and wind energy
Currently renewable generation plants are either wind or solar but what if they can be combined?
That is the goal of the Spanish startup Soleolico, which after ten years of research, investment of over €5 million and 30 prototypes, has unveiled the first wind turbine with PV panels integrated into its blades, or ‘sails’ as the company terms them.
With the potential to generate energy for up to 24 hours, with wind often prevalent overnight, the ‘technological tree’ as Soleolico calls it is designed to coexist harmoniously with its environment.
With a patented magnetic system termed ‘blade guiding’ the sails are wind oriented to extract maximum energy, with a claimed performance up to 25% higher than standard wind turbines.
“Soleolico combines science and nature, is environmentally friendly, and bird-friendly: it generates no noise, operates at a low speed, and its attractive aesthetics are customisable to adapt to the environment and customer needs,” the company states.
Other features include incorporation of a special 3D printed coating with patented technology that absorbs and transforms CO2 on the tower and the ability to ‘brand’ the solar panels with images or corporate colours.
The ‘Electric company’ on Monopoly
Monopoly as a concept and game marks its 120th anniversary this year, having entertained countless children and their parents down the years, and with increasing numbers of variants appearing for different cities, countries and currencies.
Among the latest is a special ‘Loughborough’ version, for the central England market town of the same name – and Loughborough headquartered Brush Group, an over century old provider of energy management and engineering solutions, reports proudly featuring, and in the ‘Electric company’ space no less.
“It’s an honour to occupy such a distinctive space on the Monopoly board,” said Brush CEO Nicolas Pitrat.
“The Electric Company has long been seen as one of the game’s more desirable, useful and reliable properties, consistently delivering a solid, long-term return on the initial investment – much the same as we offer our customers!”
The Loughborough edition of Monopoly resulted from the winning of a region-wide competition hosted by the game’s producer Winning Moves UK and launched in October.
The game features more than 30 familiar landmarks from around the town, nominated by local residents.
