Berlin Expands Research Computing Capacity with New Joint Data Center

Berlin is planning a new computing center as part of a joint effort between the Zuse Institute Berlin (ZIB) and the Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin (HZB). The aim is to improve how research data is processed and stored, as scientific projects increasingly rely on large and complex datasets.

In areas like materials science, energy, and health research, the volume of data continues to grow. Handling that data requires systems that are not only powerful, but also secure and reliable. At the same time, expectations around protecting sensitive information are becoming stricter, adding pressure on existing infrastructure.

The agreement between ZIB and HZB, announced in late March 2026 in Berlin-Adlershof, outlines a plan to gradually expand computing capacity across both institutions. Rather than building separate systems, the partners intend to share resources and develop a more coordinated setup for data-intensive research in Berlin.

The project will roll out in stages. From 2026 to 2027, infrastructure at ZIB’s Dahlem site will be used to support joint operations, while a second location at HZB in Adlershof is set to be developed in parallel. Further expansion is expected later in the decade, depending on how demand evolves.

A key part of the plan is to combine high-performance computing with tools for artificial intelligence and data management. The systems are meant to be adaptable, so they can be used across different types of research without being limited to a single field or application.

Sustainability is also being considered, particularly in terms of energy use and system design. Decisions around hardware, cooling, and storage are expected to factor in efficiency and long-term operation. There are also early discussions about whether waste heat from the center could be reused locally.

Berlin’s Senator for Science, Health and Care, Ina Czyborra, described the project as necessary infrastructure for modern research, pointing to the growing role of data in fields such as climate and health studies. She noted that sharing resources across institutions could help reduce costs while supporting collaboration.

Representatives from both ZIB and HZB framed the initiative as a step toward improving the technical foundations of research in Berlin, particularly in areas that depend heavily on computing power and data analysis.