Inauguration of the CINAURA-Kraken cluster: a strategic supercomputer for innovation and digital sovereignty in Grenoble research
Feb 16, 2026
On 27 January 2026, the CINAURA-Kraken computing cluster was inaugurated at the Laboratory of Subatomic Physics and Cosmology (LPSC) in Grenoble. With CINAURA-Kraken, the Grenoble site strengthens its capabilities in high performance computing (HPC) and data analysis (DA) and positions itself among the leading academic centers.
Inauguration of the CINAURA-Kraken computing cluster by the research partners and institutional funders of this new supercomputer
From left to right: Etienne Gheeraert, Vice-President of the Board of Directors in charge of HR strategy, sustainable development and social responsibility at Grenoble INP – UGA, Frédéric Desprez, Director of the Inria Centre at UGA, Catherine Staron, Vice-President in charge of secondary schools, higher education, research and innovation - AURA Region, Mohammed Benlahsen, Deputy Rector for Higher Education, Research and Innovation for the AURA academic region, Yassine Lakhnech, President of UGA, Mahamadou Diarra, Sub-Prefect of Grenoble, Christophe Muller, Regional Delegate for CNRS Alpes, Glenn Cougoulat, CNRS research engineer and director of GRICAD, Laurent Azéma, head of the GRICAD/CNRS project in charge of the Kraken project.
GRICAD: a key player in digital research
GRICAD plays a central role in this project. By providing shared, high-performance and secure computing resources, GRICAD supports the entire scientific community in Grenoble. The CINAURA-Kraken cluster complements and strengthens our offering, supporting digitally intensive research projects ranging from fundamental physics to digital sciences and artificial intelligence.
A strategic tool for digital sovereignty
In a context marked by exploding data volumes and technological challenges, CINAURA-Kraken is a strategic lever for digital sovereignty. Hosted and operated locally, the computing resources enable research teams to retain control of their data, methods and infrastructure, while reducing their dependence on external solutions. This project is part of an approach to pooling digital infrastructure, promoting scientific innovation and optimising resources.
Sustainable and responsible public investment
Responding to current concerns about high performance computing infrastructure, the cluster incorporates energy efficiency considerations, with a Direct Liquid Cooling (DLC) system and the use of a recyclable container to avoid new concrete construction. The €6.7 million project is funded under the 2021-2027 State-Region Plan Contract and the France 2030 plan, with support from Grenoble Alpes Métropole, the European Union, the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (AURA) Region and the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Space.
The inauguration of CINAURA-Kraken underscores Grenoble’s commitment to innovative and sustainable research infrastructure, with GRICAD serving as a key pillar in providing cutting-edge computing resources to the scientific community.
You can watch the video shown at the Kraken inauguration, which traces the entire construction of the data center: CINAURA-KRAKEN 2025 - Construction of a customised data center.