The ARP-GEM1 Global Atmosphere Model. Part I: Description and Speed-up Analysis

Abstract

This is the first part of a series of two articles describing the ARP-GEM global atmosphere model version 1 and its evaluation in simulations from 55 km to 6 km resolutions. This article provides a complete description of ARP-GEM1, focusing on its new physical parameterizations and acceleration factors aimed at improving computational efficiency. ARP-GEM1 is approximately 15 times faster than its base model version, ARPEGE-Climat v6.3, while maintaining accurate simulations and enhancing model performance, as shown in Part II.This significant acceleration results from a combination of optimizations, rather than a single factor, with each factor's contribution quantified. Additionally, a detailed decomposition of the model's speedup per component is presented. Streamlining the model reduces computational costs, enhances transparency and portability, and maximizes the benefits of future advanced computing technologies. The results presented here suggest that kilometer-scale global climate simulations should become feasible in the near future.