Another important stage in the construction of the STOS complex of Gdańsk Tech completed | Gdańsk University of Technology

STOS Competence Center (Smart and Transdisciplinary knOwledge Services) of Gdańsk University of Technology, which is being built on the university campus at Traugutta Street, is to be the seat of the Information Center of the Gdańsk Tech Tri-City Academic Computer Network. Its most important space is the so-called "Bunker", where one of the fastest supercomputers in Poland will be located, which will enable the collection, processing and archiving of huge data sets and the performance of complex simulations for scientific research. The facility is to be ready for use this year, so the works - despite the winter - are in full swing.

– The building was successfully "closed" and secured against winter conditions. The garage part has been practically finished in terms of insulation, painting and resins on the floors - lists Michał Sadowski, project director from NDI, the contractor. – At the "0" level, that is in the heart of this investment, the entire woodwork has already been installed and a raised floor has been made. Suspended ceilings are also being completed. In addition, the individual technical rooms are already equipped with the most important devices.

– We are very pleased that despite the unfavorable weather conditions, the construction works on the complex are progressing gradually – says Mariusz Miler, chancellor of Gdańsk University of Technology. – Not only our academic community, but also other universities and companies that will use the resources and opportunities of CK STOS are waiting for this facility to be in full operation. We are convinced that for many years the center will be a technological distinguishing feature not only of our university, but also of Gdańsk and the entire Pomeranian region - he adds.

Five chillers of chilled water

CK STOS PG will have the latest generation technical and network infrastructure. The server room is to meet the highest data security standards - protect servers from fire, water and electromagnetic fields. Also, the supercomputer will require special conditions, such as continuous cooling and maintaining constant temperature and humidity.

–The source of technological cooling for the entire building will be five external chillers: four working and a spare one, air-cooled with a cooling capacity of approximately 601.5 kW each – explains Michał Sadowski, project director at NDI. - In order to reduce energy consumption, but at the same time increase efficiency, all units will be equipped with the possibility of working in the so-called "freecooling" mode.

Video monitoring and water fmist

The CK STOS building will eventually receive a reliability certificate issued by the Uptime Institute at the Tier III level. The building will be equipped with an intelligent control system. The center is built on the basis of Green Computing assumptions - so as to minimize the impact of its activities on the environment, and at the same time to increase the energy efficiency of equipment and laboratories.

The facility has a fully integrated security system based on access control systems, video monitoring, as well as an anti-burglary and assault system. All systems are integrated and managed by a special server.

The building is also equipped with fire safety systems, which include, among others fire alarm system (FAS). In the server part, the FAS cooperates with the HI FOG water mist extinguishing system, while in the underground part, a garage smoke exhaust system has been installed.

View on the building of Gdańsk University of Technology

Work in other areas of the facility is also well advanced. All plasterboard walls were built, screeds were made, and most of the internal carpentry was installed. The raised floors of the remaining levels, tiling and painting works, and suspended ceilings are in the course of implementation.

The facility, designed by the Arch-Deco architectural studio, is set on one foundation, but at the same time divided by a viewing axis directed at the main building of the university.

The implementation of the Gdańsk University of Technology investment, due to the unique geometry of the building, but also due to the need to perform a number of installations, requires the contractor to particularly precisely plan and coordinate all works and deliveries. NDI is responsible for the construction of the main facility with an area of approximately 12 thousand square meters and for the development of the area around it. The scope of tasks also includes the construction and equipment of rooms, as well as one of the server rooms. The investor, Gdańsk University of Technology, is responsible for the purchase of the "supercomputer" and for the equipment of the remaining server rooms.

The cost of building the smart center is nearly PLN 156 million, of which PLN 90.1 million comes from the EU subsidy under the European Regional Development Fund, obtained thanks to involvement in the project of the Marshal's Office of the Pomeranian Voivodeship and the Pomeranian Development Agency (ARP). The total cost of the investment, however, will exceed PLN 200 million - the difference is due to the need to supplement the facility with additional, specialized equipment, which is the task of the university.