High-Performance Computing Center Stuttgart
On October 9, 2026, colleagues and friends from HLRS's extensive network gathered to celebrate the 30th anniversary of HLRS's founding under the motto "Thirty Years, One Vision." The gathering offered an opportunity to reflect on HLRS's history, its contributions to the European and international HPC communities, and — with the rise of new computing technologies like artificial intelligence and quantum computing — what the future could hold.
The event began fittingly in HLRS's auditorium — the Rühle Saal, named in honor of Prof. Roland Rühle, the center's founder and first director. In a scientific symposium, members of HLRS's research community exchanged historical perspectives on how high-performance computing has evolved over the last 30 years, and on how increasingly powerful computing technologies have led to new kinds of discoveries for applied science and engineering. The talks also reflected on the current transformation underway in HPC as it integrates artificial intellgence and emerging technologies like quantum computing.
The anniversary celebration continued in the evening with a reception and dinner at the Stuttgarter Reithalle, an historic building in the city center. Honored guests congratulated HLRS on its achievements, and three panel discussions highlighted the center's contributions to science, industrial innovation, and the increase of expertise across the national and international HPC communities.
In welcoming remarks, Petra Olschowski, Minister of Science, Research and Arts (MWK) of the State of Baden-Württemberg, praised HLRS's accomplishments and emphasized that steadfast support for high-performance computing over decades has prepared Stuttgart to continue shaping the future.
"The fields of application for high-performance computers have expanded," Miniser Olschowski said. “What remains unchanged is our commitment to combining scientific excellence with tangible benefits for research, for businesses, and for society as a whole. This is precisely where one of the HLRS's particular strengths lies. It is not an isolated center of cutting-edge research, but a hub for cooperation and knowledge transfer.”
Dr.-Ing. Fabian Kohler, Division Director for Microelectronics, Supercomputing and Robotics at the Geman Federal Ministry for Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR) noted HLRS's role at the national level as a member of the Gauss Centre for Supercomputing (GCS).
"HLRS has impressively demonstrated that high-performance computing is far more than just the provision of the increasingly powerful computers, but it's the key technology for innovation, competitiveness, and addressing societal changes," Kohler stated. "Reliable, available high-performance computing infrastructure is a fundamental prerequisite for scientific discovery, technological innovation, and the competitiveness of our whole economy. This is why HLRS, together with its partners in GCS, make a significant contribution to the technological sovereignty of Germany and Europe."
The MWK and BMFTR have been reliable supporters throughout HLRS's history, providing necessary funding and support to pursue its mission. As the parent organization of HLRS, the University of Stuttgart has also played an important role in its history. Rector Peter Middendorf praised HLRS as an integral part of the university ecosystem and sees it as being well positioned for the future.
"I see that the next generation of HLRS is not simply about computing more. It is probably about computing differently, more intelligently, more collaboratively, and more sustainably," Prof. Middendorf said in his remarks at the anniversary celebration. "Thirty years ago, Stuttgart invested in an idea whose full potential was not yet visible. Today we can see where this idea has taken us. And I believe that the next 30 years will be just as exciting, because the real strength of HLRS has never been the machines alone. It has been the people, the partnerships, and the willingness to think beyond what is possible today."
Guests at HLRS's anniversary celebrations came from across the world, spanning the worlds of academia, industry, and public service. In this way, the event demonstrated the strength of the center's network, confirmed its continuing importance within Germany's high-tech infrastructure, and showed why it continues to be a valuable resource for research and innovation — in Germany, in Europe, and across the world.
— Christopher Williams
Program: Scientific Colloquium
Program: Anniversary Celebration
Timeline: History of HLRS
Video: Voices from the HLRS Community
Book: Simulation for All — The Politics of Supercomputing in Stuttgart
A member of the Gauss Centre for Supercomputing, HLRS is one of three German national centers for high-performance computing.
