Advanced Computing for Intelligent and Scalable Systems

High-performance, distributed and intelligent computing across architectures, algorithms, data and real-world applications.

04

Connected disciplines

12

European regions

24/7

Systems intelligence

The research area

Building the computing foundations for complex, data-intensive and intelligent systems.

Research Challenge

The growing complexity and scale of scientific, industrial and societal problems are pushing computing beyond conventional architectures and methods. AI workloads, scientific simulation, real-time sensing, connected systems and data-intensive applications demand greater performance, scalability and energy efficiency, while computing itself is becoming increasingly heterogeneous and distributed across devices, edge, cloud and high-performance infrastructures. At the same time, emerging applications require computing systems that are not only faster, but also adaptive, trustworthy and capable of operating under real-world constraints. This creates new challenges across hardware architectures, programming models, algorithms, data processing and intelligent systems.

Our Response

Across the INESC ecosystem, Advanced Computing brings together expertise spanning advanced devices and architectures, high-performance and parallel computing, distributed and edge systems, AI, optimisation, computational modelling and intelligent systems. INESC combines foundational computing research with multidisciplinary applications in areas including health, engineering, energy, communications and industry. From CPUs, GPUs, FPGAs and specialised accelerators to cloud, edge and IoT infrastructures, our research develops scalable computational approaches that connect hardware, software and algorithms with the needs of real-world applications.

What INESC brings

From Computing Foundations to Intelligent Applications.

A coordinated capability spanning the computing continuum, from advanced devices and architectures to high-performance and distributed systems, AI and optimisation, and intelligent applications across science, industry and society.

Advanced Architectures & Computing Hardware

Advanced semiconductor materials, nanoelectronics, sensors, MEMS, spintronics, photonics and specialised architectures for emerging computing paradigms, including neuromorphic and in-memory approaches.

High-Performance & Distributed Computing

Parallel and heterogeneous computing, high-performance architectures, scheduling, load balancing, distributed systems, programming models, middleware, cloud computing and scalable computing infrastructures.

AI, Optimisation & Computational Intelligence

Industrial AI, data ecosystems and governance, industrial digital platforms, IoT and cyber-physical systems, information systems engineering, and human-in-the-loop, trustworthy AI

Edge, IoT & Intelligent Systems

Edge and fog computing, IoT, cyber-physical systems, communications, sensing, remote monitoring and distributed intelligence for real-time and resource-constrained environments.

Power systems

Planning and operation of reliable, resilient grids with high shares of renewable energy.

Energy markets

Market design, flexibility strategies and data-driven valuation for fair energy systems.

Sensing & optimisation

Forecasting, state estimation and optimisation under uncertainty for real-time decisions.

Power electronics

Advanced converters, control and integration for storage, e-mobility and distributed resources.

People behind the research

Expertise with impact.

João Paulo Vilela
João Paulo Vilela

Centre Coordinator for Advanced Computing Systems (CRACS) at INESC TEC and Associate Professor at the University of Porto.

Ricardo Rocha
Ricardo Rocha

Researcher and former/associated coordinator/developer within the CRACS center.

Filipe Emanuel Santos
Filipe Emanuel Santos

Research Coordinator associated with the unit.

Fernando Silva
Fernando Silva

Former long-time coordinator of CRACS who transitioned to Vice-Rector at the University of Porto

Dr. Elias Vermeer

Power Systems

Grid Intelligence Lab

Dr. Elias Vermeer

Power Systems

Grid Intelligence Lab

Dr. Elias Vermeer

Power Systems

Grid Intelligence Lab

Dr. Elias Vermeer

Power Systems

Grid Intelligence Lab

Related infrastructure

Where research becomes real.

INESC-ID
Location: Lisbon
Smart grids, power electronics, EV and energy storage research and testing environment.

Energy dream lab

Location: Lisbon
Smart grids, power electronics, EV and energy storage research and testing environment.

Smart Grid Laboratory

Brussels, Belgium
Real-time simulation, validation and grid control

Energy Data Platform

Leuven, Belgium
Secure data spaces, forecasting and market analytics

Power Electronics Lab

Liège, Belgium
Converters, drives and storage integration

European context

Enabling Europe's next generation of computing and intelligent systems.

Advanced Computing capabilities are central to Europe’s digital and technological sovereignty, scientific competitiveness and industrial transformation. INESC research contributes across the computing continuum, from advanced hardware and architectures to high-performance computing, distributed and edge infrastructures, AI, optimisation and intelligent applications. These capabilities support European priorities in high-performance and exascale computing, artificial intelligence, advanced digital infrastructures, energy-efficient computing, edge and cloud technologies, and emerging computing paradigms. They also enable demanding applications in health, engineering, energy, communications and industry.

Latest thinking

Policy output

Publication Date: 04/03/2020
With Commission services sketching portfolios of eighteen, twenty-four or twenty-eight partnerships, down from sixty, and a consultation open until 16 October, the vision must come before the arithmetic.
Publication Date: 10/05/2024
A summary report capturing the key discussions, findings and follow-up actions from the INESC Brussels HUB’s 2026 Summer Meeting on European research infrastructure priorities.
Publication Date: 10/05/2024
A summary report capturing the key discussions, findings and follow-up actions from the INESC Brussels HUB’s 2026 Summer Meeting on European research infrastructure priorities.
Publication Date: 10/05/2024
A summary report capturing the key discussions, findings and follow-up actions from the INESC Brussels HUB’s 2026 Summer Meeting on European research infrastructure priorities.
Publication Date: 10/05/2024
A summary report capturing the key discussions, findings and follow-up actions from the INESC Brussels HUB’s 2026 Summer Meeting on European research infrastructure priorities.
Publication Date: 07/07/2026
A summary report capturing the key discussions, findings and follow-up actions from the INESC Brussels HUB’s 2026 Summer Meeting on European research infrastructure priorities.

Policy brief

12 May 2026

Flexibility markets for a decarbonised energy system

Research insight

03 Apr 2026

Data-driven forecasting for renewable integration

Analysis

18 Mar 2026

Power electronics for a resilient grid transition