Atom Computing and the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) are collaborating to explore how quantum computing can optimise electric grid operations. NREL researchers have integrated Atom Computing’s atomic array quantum computing technologies into their research platform, creating a “quantum-in-the-loop” capability. This technology could help balance energy loads across an electric grid, particularly as grids become more complex with the addition of renewable energy sources and electric vehicle charging. The collaboration will initially focus on improving decision-making for re-routing power in the event of switch or line downtime.
The announcement was made during the IEEE Power and Energy Society general meeting. NREL researchers demonstrated how they incorporated Atom Computing’s atomic array quantum computing technologies into the lab’s Advanced Research on Integrated Energy Systems (ARIES) research platform. This integration resulted in a first-of-its-kind “quantum-in-the-loop” capability that can run certain types of optimisation problems on a quantum computer.
Dr Rob Hovsapian, a research advisor at NREL, highlighted the increasing complexity of electric grids due to adding new power generation resources such as wind and solar, electric vehicle charging, sensors and other devices. He suggested that the complexity has reached a point where classical computing models are insufficient. The incorporation of quantum computing into their testing platform allows for exploration of how this technology could help solve certain problems.
Quantum Computing and Large-Scale Optimisation Problems
Optimisation problems such as managing supply chains, devising more efficient transportation routes, and improving electric grid and telecommunications networks are considered ideal applications for quantum computing. These are large-scale problems involving numerous factors and variables, making them well-suited for quantum computers and how they run calculations.
Keeping power flowing across an electric grid is an excellent example of an optimisation problem. Power plants, wind turbines, and solar farms must generate enough electricity to meet demand, which can fluctuate depending on the time of day and weather conditions. This electricity is then routed across miles and miles of transmission lines and delivered to homes, businesses, hospitals, and other facilities in real-time.
Quantum Computing and Power Re-routing
“Right now, operators primarily rely on their own experience to make this decision,”
Dr. Rob Hovsapian
“This works but it doesn’t necessarily result in an optimal solution. We are evaluating how a quantum computer can provide better data to make these decisions.”
Initially, NREL and Atom Computing are exploring how quantum computing can improve decision making on the re-routing of power between feeder lines that carry electricity from a substation to a local or regional service area in the event of switch or line downtime. Currently, operators primarily rely on their own experience to make this decision. However, this does not necessarily result in an optimal solution. Using a quantum computer could provide better data to make these decisions.
Collaboration between Private Industry and National Laboratories
Atom Computing CEO Rob Hays emphasised the importance of collaborations between private industry and national laboratories for advancing quantum computing and scientific research. He stated that collaborations like this are extremely important for advancing quantum computing and scientific research. He also expressed pride in partnering with NREL to offer their research.
Atom Computing is a company building scalable quantum computers with atomic arrays of optically trapped neutral atoms. They collaborate with researchers, organisations, governments, and companies to help develop quantum-enabled tools and solutions; and support the growing global ecosystem.
“Electric grids are increasingly complex as we add new power generation resources such as wind and solar, electric vehicle charging, sensors and other devices,” said Dr Rob Hovsapian, a research advisor at NREL. “We are reaching the point where electric grids have more inputs and outputs than our classical computing models can handle. By incorporating quantum computing into our testing platform, we can begin exploring how this technology could help solve certain problems.”
“Collaborations like this are extremely important for advancing quantum computing and scientific research,”
Atom Computing CEO Rob Hays.
Summary
Atom Computing and the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) are collaborating to explore how quantum computing can optimise electric grid operations, with a focus on improving decision making on the re-routing of power in the event of switch or line downtime. This partnership represents a significant step towards understanding how quantum computers can better balance energy loads across increasingly complex electric grids, which are becoming more challenging for classical computing models to manage.
“NREL is a global leader in renewable energy and electric grids. We are proud to partner with them to advance their research.”
Atom Computing CEO Rob Hays.
- Atom Computing and the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) have announced a collaboration to explore how quantum computing can optimise electric grid operations.
- NREL researchers have incorporated Atom Computing’s atomic array quantum computing technologies into their Advanced Research on Integrated Energy Systems (ARIES) research platform. This has created a first-of-its-kind “quantum-in-the-loop” capability that can run certain types of optimisation problems on a quantum computer.
- Dr. Rob Hovsapian, a research advisor at NREL, believes this is an important step towards understanding how quantum computers can better balance energy loads across an electric grid.
- The collaboration is initially exploring how quantum computing can improve decision making on the re-routing of power between feeder lines in the event of switch or line downtime.
- Atom Computing CEO Rob Hays emphasises the importance of such collaborations for advancing quantum computing and scientific research. He is proud to partner with NREL, a global leader in renewable energy and electric grids.
- Atom Computing is building scalable quantum computers with atomic arrays of optically trapped neutral atoms. They collaborate with various entities to help develop quantum-enabled tools and solutions.
