European Union project to boost computing power

The European Union announced on Tuesday a new project this week aimed at giving European researchers more computing power to help tackle a broad range of complex issues from the environment to energy to health.

The European Grid Infrastructure project will give EU researchers "sustainable and continuous" access to more than 200,000 desktop computers in more than 30 European countries, according to statement from the European Commission, the EU's regulatory arm.

The commission said the project will give researchers as much computer power as they might have using supercomputers by using desktop computers that on average stand idle for up to 85 percent of the time. The EU is contributing $32.5 million (25 million Euros) over four years toward the project.

"European researchers' access to greater computing power will help them to tackle major research challenges in areas such as climate change and healthcare," said Neelie Kroes, the commission's vice president for the digital agenda. "The European Grid Infrastructure will help strengthen Europe's hand in research and give our scientists the support they need, [while] saving energy and cutting costs."