Deloitte is hosting an annual Quantum Climate Challenge to explore the potential of quantum computing in addressing climate change issues. The 2024 challenge focuses on enhancing flood forecasting using Quantum Machine Learning (QML) for the Wupper River in Germany. The goal is to improve disaster prediction methods and assess the prerequisites for quantum hardware to enhance disaster prediction on a larger scale. The challenge involves collaboration with major hardware providers like NVIDIA, AWS, and IBM. Previous challenges have tackled topics like optimizing metal organic frameworks for carbon capture and reducing air travel’s contribution to climate change by optimizing flight trajectories.
Deloitte’s Quantum Climate Challenge: A Platform for Quantum Computing and Climate Action
Deloitte, a globally recognized professional services network, has initiated an annual Quantum Climate Challenge. This unique initiative aims to foster meaningful collaborations between sustainability and climate professionals and quantum computing experts. The challenge provides a platform for interdisciplinary teams to explore the potential of quantum computing in addressing urgent climate change issues. Participants are given six weeks to solve a challenge assignment, with the top three solutions presented to an expert panel of judges. The winners are awarded from a prize pool of 12,000€.
Quantum Climate Challenge 2024: Enhancing Flood Forecasting
The Quantum Climate Challenge for 2024 is focused on exploring the potential of quantum computers in improving flood forecasting, thereby enhancing climate resilience. The urgency of disaster prediction has been amplified by climate change, with rising temperatures and shifting weather patterns leading to more intense floods, wildfires, and other extreme events. Accurate forecasting of these extreme weather events can be a matter of life and death in our increasingly volatile climate.
The challenge seeks to apply Quantum Machine Learning (QML) to predict floods along the Wupper River in Germany. The goal is to develop a new approach in forecasting river floods by utilizing emerging quantum computing technologies. The challenge also aims to assess the prerequisites for quantum hardware to significantly improve disaster prediction on a larger scale and to estimate the potential timeframe for its implementation.
Quantum Climate Challenge: Goals and Key Ingredients
The Quantum Climate Challenge has two primary goals. The first is to develop and train quantum models for next-day flood predictions. Given the limitations of current quantum hardware, it is not expected that these models will outperform classical models at this stage. The second goal is to devise a strategy for handling more complex problems. This involves developing a concept for quantum or hybrid methods that could enhance flood prediction models on more advanced quantum computers. The ultimate objective is to extend lead times for advanced warnings and to improve the effectiveness of disaster preparedness measures.
The challenge is characterized by realistic, engaging, and relevant problems that push participants beyond simple exercises. It involves collaboration with major hardware providers in the field, such as NVIDIA, AWS, and IBM, and includes introductory sessions as well as hardware access beyond typical public access. The jury comprises experts in the field of quantum computing and the problem domain, and participants must convince them of the relevance of their solution. The challenge also offers an attractive prize pool, with 5000€ for the winning team, 4000€ for the runner-up, and 3000€ for the third place.
Quantum Climate Challenge: Past Editions
In 2023, the Quantum Climate Challenge focused on the optimization of metal organic frameworks for carbon capture. Capturing carbon dioxide directly from the air is a critical challenge that must be solved to achieve the 2°C goal. Since direct air capture of carbon dioxide is very energy-intensive, more efficient filter materials are highly sought after. Quantum computing may help improve these materials.
In 2022, the Quantum Climate Challenge explored how the contribution of air travel to climate change could be reduced by optimizing flight trajectories using quantum computing. The challenge scenario included a traffic sample of multiple flights with various paths and schedules. The flight trajectories were optimized such that the overall warming climate effect considering all flights is minimal while being compliant with flight safety regulations. Different climate effects depending on the fuel burn, the geographical location, altitude, weather conditions, and timings were also considered.
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