The San Diego Supercomputer Center (SDSC) at the University of California San Diego, renowned for its contributions to computational science, plays a vital role in supporting data-intensive research across various scientific domains. As a leading hub for groundbreaking research in fields like geoscience and bioscience, SDSC’s demand for reliable and powerful computing resources has grown.
Michael Baker has provided ongoing electrical engineering support for the SDSC since 2004. Our work has focused on designing and implementing advanced modular uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems with a capacity of 2,500 kilovolt-amperes (kVA) to ensure the continuous operation of SDSC’s high-performance computing infrastructure.
The electrical system supports areas demanding over 200 watts per square foot (W/SF) on the machine room floor. It also powers the renowned Comet supercomputer, a 2.8-petaflop system with 13 petabytes of memory that is critical for groundbreaking research in genomics, earth science and artificial intelligence. These upgrades guarantee reliability for mission-critical applications and enhance the SDSC’s ability to deliver national-scale computing resources.
Michael Baker’s design also contributed to sustainability improvements, earning recognition through the UC Tech Innovation Award for replacing traditional lead-acid batteries with environmentally friendly solutions. SDSC continues to receive national honors for its high-performance computing leadership, supported by robust electrical systems engineered by Michael Baker International.
